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Rick Steves Audio Europe ™

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Rick Steves Audio Europe‪™‬ 4+

Rick steves.

• #175 in Travel
• 4.3 • 385 Ratings

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Description.

This app organizes the vast and varied library of Rick Steves’ audio content into geographic-specific playlists so that travelers can enjoy ready access to the information that relates specifically to their travel plans. Many tracks provide general cultural and sightseeing information gleaned from his public radio program, Travel with Rick Steves. Other tracks are self-guided tours to great sights and historic walks. While we travel there’s lots of down time, and this application can both entertain and teach. Rick Steves Audio Europe will hopefully make your European travels more meaningful and more fun. Features: • The app downloads and stores audio files on your device. No Wi-Fi or cellphone connection is required to listen. (You will need a connection if you choose to add audio tracks later.) • Handy maps (PDF) that complement the self-guided audio tours can be viewed on your device. • The audio content originates from Rick Steves guidebooks and the Travel with Rick Steves public radio program. Self-guided tours are excerpted from Rick Steves country and city guidebooks. • Rick Steves Audio Europe is a work in progress. New audio tracks will be added and existing tracks updated as necessary. Be sure to enable Notifications for this app to get the latest updates.

Version 4.1.6

Ratings and Reviews

385 Ratings

It’s a free private tour

We travelled to Rome and Vatican City, and visited all major tourist attractions including Pantheon, Colosseum, Roman Forum, Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St Marks Basilica. This app is like a private tour at no expense. We used it at all sites. For Vatican sites, we did not book in advance so had to take an in person group tour. 10 minutes into the tour, we ended up asking our tour guide that we would leave and do the tour ourselves as this tour is far more engaging. The tour guides you right from the entrance through the finish gates. The bonus is that you are not stuck with a tour group and have the flexibility to tour at your own pace with breaks especially if you have kids like us. As per the kids, this app brings every site to life. Thanks Rick! Tip: share wireless earbuds with the family while touring to get a complete private tour experience

Love this app

My partner and I took a trip to Italy this past summer, and this guide was such an important part of our vacation. The guide had episodes for all of the major cities we visited, as well as particular ruins and sites within the cities. They never seemed too long, always giving just enough information, and allowed us to skip around however we pleased. The maps were also extremely helpful. My favorite were the walking tours around the city, easy to follow and doable. Some pieces were a tad outdated but otherwise we loved it. This audio guide not only saved us money, but also supplemented our trip perfectly. Highly recommend for anyone heading to Europe!!

Such a hyped app but not up to expectations

Probably should not complain for a free app, but some improvements are definitely needed to make it useful. I had such a great expectation, because everywhere I read on the internet, people says great things about the guide, esp that it is way better than the one cost 8 euro at pompei park entrance. Even that is debatable, since I did get the official audio guide for a family member, they both have plus and minus’s. We decided to use the pompei guide from this app after a few mixed experiences with a few Roman tours. The only usefulness of Rick’s pompei guide is the route, but it did not mention it anywhere in the app. Being frustrated with directions after 45 minutes, I started to play with the app, found the book shaped button, that leads me to the tour route. After that, it became a bit easier to follow. The best audio guide I have used in the past is Gypsy. It is gps guided that made it so easy to use. I wish they have similar guides for European destinations.

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The developer, Rick Steves , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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My Free Audio Europe™ App, Version 2.0, is Now Available for Android

Okay, now the news: We originally released our free Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app a year ago. In April, I announced the release of Version 2.0 for Apple devices (still free, and better than ever). More than 100,000 travelers have since downloaded and enjoyed the expanded content and improved design (we’re thankful for the rave reviews on iTunes). And now, our much-improved Version 2.0 is also available for Android devices.

This app is entirely free. It’s loaded with user-friendly, trip-enhancing content — both audio tours and interviews with experts and locals. And if you’re a student of Europe traveling on a budget, forgive me for being immodest, but it’s a godsend. People love it, and my hardworking staff and I are really excited about it. I literally lie in bed at night thinking of new tours I can produce for this. (Strange, I know.) Munich is on deck. Download the app (or update your current version) today at Google Play or Amazon Appstore , and incorporate all of this free audio content into your next trip.

Here are some details on the new version of the app:

What’s new in Version 2.0: We’ve added eight audio walking tours (covering Vienna, Salzburg, Germany’s Rhine River Valley, Assisi, and Ephesus), as well as 26 new radio features on Ireland, the Netherlands, Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Germany, Italy, and Portugal.

What’s improved with Version 2.0: Audio tour maps and scripts can now be viewed from the player. We’ve expanded track descriptions, including photos. Tracks can be shared via Facebook, Twitter and email. Rick Steves e-books can be ordered and downloaded directly to your device (not free).

If you want to know more about this app, here’s our product description: The Rick Steves Audio Europe™ app organizes Rick’s vast and varied library of audio content into country- and city-specific playlists so you can enjoy ready access to the information that relates specifically to your travel plans. You’ll get Rick’s self-guided tours for dozens of Europe’s top museums, sights and historic walks — plus 200 tracks of travel tips and cultural insights from his radio show — all for free. This app downloads and stores audio files on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch running iOS 4 or later. The Android version runs on Android 1.6 or higher. Download the audio files before you go, or use a Wi-Fi hotspot to download them in Europe. You can then listen for free anytime off line (no Wi-Fi or cellphone connection is required). Handy PDF maps that complement the app’s walking tours can be viewed on your device. Audio content originates from Rick Steves’ guidebooks and the Travel with Rick Steves public radio program. Self-guided walking tours are excerpted from Rick Steves’ guidebooks.

The bad news: After releasing our new Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi audio tour, I hear the friars at the basilica are not allowing tourists to listen to mobile devices. Apparently the friars would rather that tourists pay to rent their own audio guides. That strikes me as not very Franciscan.

12 Replies to “My Free Audio Europe™ App, Version 2.0, is Now Available for Android”

What’s not Christianlike is throwing the constant dig at the Catholic Church any chance you can get. Those fees help keep places maintained for tourists to visit. I’m sure you don’t give “free” apps out of the kindess of your heart, but as a slick business move to get in potential paying customers.

I’m Catholic and I’m not surprised that they would make such a request. It seems very common among a lot of major sites.

However, I’m sure the money from the rental of headsets is going to upkeep costs.

I’m with Rick and think that banning other listening devices is over the top. Do they ban guidebooks? This is an audio version of a guide book. Would they stop me reading a guidebook on my iPad? The Franciscans can keep their belief in God, but need to become platform agnostic regarding how people learn about their sites when they visit. If they need the money for upkeep, say so and charge admission. Do they really want to scurry around and pull ear buds out of tourists ears?

Scurry around and pull ear buds out of tourists ears? Come on, the Vatican policies regarding dress, some sites, Catholic and non, don’t allow picture taking. It is perfectly reasonable for the Franciscans to have this rule if it suits them. After all, it is their church and they are the custodians of the art within. I don’t think anybody should put “agnostic” conditions on religious organizations.

Since they do presumably allow people to read guidebooks, I wonder how they would respond if there was a hearing-impaired person who was listening to their guidebook. It does show that they enjoy visitors for the money it brings them, not solely to share their building with others.

My motto? Fewer churches, more gelato.

BTW, did you know that there’s a relief (flat sculpture thingy) above and to the side of the doors of St. Mark’s in Venice, of a snake tweaking a topless woman’s nipple? And yet you can’t wear shorts that end just above the knee…

As someone who was recently in Assisi and asked to remove my headphones, I don’t think that anyone is saying that the Franciscans CAN’T stop you from using the audio tour. The question is whether they SHOULD. I’m with Rick on this one. It’s silly and counterproductive in general to prevent someone from learning about the history and art of your organization. However, it’s also somewhat ironic in this case, considering the tone and message of St. Francis. Additionally, if this is about money, it makes little sense. The church is free. I certainly would have paid a fee (and did make a donation) to enter, and I would have been more than happy to pay a reasonable fee for a tour. However, I don’t believe the tours offered ran very often, and most institutional tours I’ve been on simply aren’t as good as Rick’s tours. I suspect that most of the problem can be corrected. We were using our tour within a couple weeks of it being released, and I’m not sure that the Franciscans even knew why they were suddenly receiving a steady flow of headphone wearing tourists.

If people don’t like the Franciscan policy, they always have the option not to view their churches or their art.

I miss Nicolina’s blog. Wow…what a zest for life she has. Thanks for hosting her blog, Uncle Rick. I hope you do the same when she starts her next adventure.

Proper dress and picture taking are about respect for the church and beliefs. Not allowing earbuds and listening to another audio tour is about the cash. Let’s have a little honesty and intellectual integrity,. If you don’t understand the use of the word agnostic in this usage I hope that Franciscans would. Charge an entrance fee. Don’t hide it by controlling who provides the historical context and critique.

When rick cited the “bad news” he should have simply ended with the sentence “- – – I hear the friars are not allowing tourists to listen to mobile devices.”

So, to make some extra cash, the friars could next open up a McDonald’s franchise, and employ french friars.

Haha, I think Shane is a psychopath, but I like it. You need a loose caonnn in a group, he makes this season interesting.But I think the only reason Rick had to shoot Sophia was because he felt guilty. I don’t think he is now one to make the tough decisions.I have to say, Sophia coming out from the barn caught me by surprise. First I thought the last walker would be Hershel’s wife, but that was the one Shane shot the cheek off. Sophia wasn’t a fleshed out character, so I could not feel too bad for her, but for all the other characters, her mom, Daryl and Rick especially. Side notes:-Hershel tells Rick, that Otis was the one who brought the walkers to the barn. If Shane hadn’t killed Otis, he could’ve told them, he catched a girl walker who looked like the girl they were looking for. So one more thing Shane to blame for.-Andrea wasn’t that prominent this episode, but I was immeditely angry again when they were shooting the barn walkers and she joins the firefight with an exaggeratedly confident smirk on her face shooting like a pro, even without eyes flinching.

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Rick Steves Audio Tours are leaving the podcast space. For the latest versions of these audio tours, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. The app also includes hours of top-quality travel talk excerpted from the Travel with Rick Steves radio interviews to add another dimension — and some different voices — to your travel planning and appreciation. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe Rick Steves Paris Audio Tours provide humorous and insightful commentary on the art and history of many of Paris' most notable museums and historic sites. Excerpted from the Rick Steves Paris guidebook. All rights reserved.

Paris Audio Tours Rick Steves

• Society & Culture
• 4.1 • 124 Ratings
• FEB 28, 2018

Historic Paris Walk Audio Tour

For the latest version of this audio tour, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe Paris, the City of Light, is a beacon of civilization. See majestic Notre-Dame, the stained glass of Sainte-Chapelle, the bohemian Left Bank, the River Seine, and the bustling city of today. Allow about four hours to do justice for this three-mile walk.

• 1 hr 23 min

Louvre Museum Audio Tour

For the latest version of this audio tour, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe To see all of this mega-museum would be in-Seine. We'll focus on essential masterpieces — Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, statues by Michelangelo, and — of course — the Mona Lisa. Allow at least two hours for this tour.

Orsay Museum Audio Tour

For the latest version of this audio tour, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe Impressionist art features sun-dappled fields, bright colors, and crowded Parisian cafes. This is the best general collection anywhere of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Degas, van Gogh, Cezanne, and Gauguin. Allow about 90 minutes for this tour.

Père Lachaise Cemetery Audio Tour

For the latest version of this audio tour, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe This one-way tour leads through the car-free streets of this peaceful city of the dead, stopping at elaborate stone monuments to some of the cemetery’s best-known residents, including Oscar Wilde, Frédéric Chopin, Edith Piaf, and Jim Morrison.

Rue Cler Walk Audio Tour

For the latest version of this audio tour, download the (free!) Rick Steves' Audio Europe™ App — available for Apple and Android. Learn more at https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-europe With its traditional shops, casual cafés, and traffic-free charm, Rue Cler is quintessential Paris. This short stroll offers insights into Parisian rituals, from the daily baguette to cheek-kissing to painstaking deliberations over wine and cheese.

Versailles Palace Audio Tour

Around 1700, this massive palace of Louis XIV was the cultural heartbeat of Europe. Explore the chandeliered mansion and stroll its immense, landscaped backyard dotted with statues and fountains. Allow two or three hours to do justice to this tour.

• © 2007-2018 by Rick Steves' Europe

Customer Reviews

124 Ratings

Great way to do Paris on your own - some museums not accurate

We just used these audioguides on a 3 day visit to Paris in January. They were a great addition to our trip that allowed us to see the important sights without having to pay for audioguides. We had a couple issues with the first part of the Louvre tour because the Greek Statues area was not in the same layout as the audioguide. Once we figured it out we were ok and the rest of the tour was very helpful. However the tour only covers one wing of the Louvre and there was much more to see. We also pretty much could not use the Orsay museum audioguide because much of the museum was under a large renovation and nothing was in the same places as the audioguide. After a lot of frustration trying to find things, we evenutally abandoned the guide and just perused the museum on our own. Otherwise the Versailles tour and the parts of the Historic Paris walk that we used were great and we plan on using the Italy guides on our trip this summer!

Love this. I listen from home when I wish I was in Paris :) I’ve learned a lot of interesting facts, and other things that I will remember for the next time I am in Paris.

Old and Outdated

Update already! Geez

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Can audio for tours be shared across devices?

We’ve purchased the Verizon monthly plan for one phone line for our upcoming trip. The other phone will be on airplane mode. If we’re in a museum with wi-fi, I’m assuming the second line can be used for audio tours, but what if we’re on a walking tour? If that’s the case, is there a way that the audio from the phone that’s using data can be shared with the other phone so both people can hear? I guess I’m asking if 2 people are walking together can there be 2 sets of earbuds listening to the audio from one device? If so, is there anything special we need to do to set up or enable that? Thanks!

If they are wired earbuds, just get a splitter compatible with your device.

This what you need - an Airfly Duo . Uses bluetooth between the two devices. I have not used the Duo, but have the single that I use on planes for movies so I can use my own (better quality) wireless earbuds. Also works for those tour radios as well.

So we both have iPhone 13s which don’t have an earphone jack. We can only use wireless earbuds (we both just purchased good ones so don’t really want to buy others if we can avoid it). Thanks

If you're doing an RS walking or museum tour, you download the app in advance. No need to use wifi to access those.

I’m thinking about walking tours with a guide. In the old days they used to give everyone an audio device and headset. I understand now you use your phone?

Another vote for the AirFly Duo. Works great on the plane and with the Whisper devices that are used on the Rick Steves tours.

If it’s just commentary then perhaps wear one earbud each? Try it at home to see if it will work.

For those with Apple earbuds and beats headphones you can pair to the same phone. https://support.apple.com/en-us/102526#:~:text=in%20Control%20Center%20on%20your,them%20close%20to%20your%20device.

@Ruth, I have used the Airfly with the tour-provided "whispers" and similar audio devices. Just make sure it is fully charged before you head out (ask me how I know this lol - luckily I had the provided cheap wired earbuds to use!). Sound quality will be superior, and you can tuck the transmitter in your bag or pocket instead of hanging around your neck, and no tangle of cords, etc.

I have not heard of any in-person-guided tours that require you to use your phone, but I would guess if that is the case it would be mentioned on whatever website they have.

Hey! If your phone can pair with two Bluetooth earbuds at once, just connect both sets and you're all set. Be sure to test it out before your trip to make sure everything works. Enjoy your travels and the tours!

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