Maemo mapper
use this http://mt.google.com/mt?n=404&v=w2.29&x=%d&y=%d&zoom=%d as map URI for maemo mapper. A good thread about the mapper is here, also page from which the URI is.
Set it so it downloads an Area and set the area to (90, -180) (-90, 180) is this correct? with highest zoom(ie 15). This will give you a map of the world. From there it should be simple to quickly navigate your way to your actual location. As its set to download by area it will automagically pull the needed maps, assuming you have internet access.
If you want to use it "offline" then I suggest you do a virtual journey before you leave, click along your planned journey and it will pull the needed maps, zoom in on tricky bits.
I have not played with the route planning/uploading feature yet, supposedly though it downloads the needed maps for a given route.
Calendar
Is there a calendar application for the N770 that can sync with my google calendar?