Side Image Maps vs. Tables

[UBF]

I'm currently working on a website that has a large image containing several smaller images. Each small image will link to it's own subpage and I'm left with two options as I see it (because I don't know CSS coding).

1) Use Image Maps (adding coordinates using Dreamweaver) or

2) Create a table with columns and rows and split the larger image into many smaller ones and then link each images to the subpage.

Both are fairly easy to do but from a SEO and design point of view I believe to have read that you should avoid tables as much as possible which in return points me to the image map solution.

But what do you suggest that I do (and why)? I would really like to hear your comments. Thanks !!