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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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The Free And Easy Way To Get European Walking Tours From Rick Steves Himself

When it comes to European travel gurus, Rick Steves is often the first person to come to mind. From hidden gems in Italy to the best sights in Slovenia, the travel TV host is full of advice and insider knowledge. Fittingly, Steves has built a chunk of his business on Europe tours and packaged itineraries, often led by one of his professional tour guides. However, there's a way to let Rick himself guide you on your next walking tour — and it won't cost you a single euro, pound, or krone.

The Europe expert has his own app — the Rick Steves Audio Europe travel app — which offers tourists a high-quality narration of many of the continent's top destinations. The audio tours range from breezy six-minute listens to in-depth tours lasting nearly two hours. In some recordings, Steves partners with another expert to provide additional context to the walking tour.

If you're the type of traveler who snaps photos of the famous sites and landmarks but wants to understand their significance more deeply, the Rick Steves Audio Europe app is the perfect companion. And the best part is that it's completely free to download and use. Keeping the app handy on your phone is kind of like exploring Europe with all of the travel expert's tips and insights right at your fingertips.

How to use the Rick Steves app

The Rick Steves Audio Europe travel app is available on the App Store for iOS and Google Play for Android devices. Alternatively, the audio can be streamed on SoundCloud , though this option doesn't offer all the same features of the app. To follow the walking tours during your next European getaway, select the tracks that appeal to you from the library (divided by country and, in some cases, topic) and download them to your phone. Skipping this step puts you at risk of burning through your data, unless you decide to use public Wi-Fi when traveling .

Once you've downloaded some tracks, head to "My Playlist" to find them all in one place. Then, select the audio track you'd like to listen to. Be sure to pack some headphones or earbuds to use when you're out and about — even if the insights are interesting, not everyone around you will want to hear them.

Each track offers an overview of what you can expect to hear, including the amount of time needed to complete the walking tour. You'll also find a list of attractions included in the tour. One of the most useful features of the app is the map included with each tour. Ditch your usual mapping app (or the paper one stashed in your backpack) and simply follow Steves's map to know exactly where to go.

When are walking tours worth paying for?

If you plan to visit a country outside of Europe, Rick Steves' audio app won't do you much good. But even when traveling around countries like Portugal or Denmark, Steves believes walking tours are worth splurging on for the best trip to Europe . Sure, his app is an accessible option if you're short on time or don't prefer exploring in groups, but it might not be the best way to learn about a place's history and culture.

In an article on his website , Steves writes, "[Y]ou can experience more by investing in a good tour ($20 to $30 per person). In an hour or two, I get a personal, informative, and well-worth-the-price introduction to a city." The travel pro added that one of his favorite types of tours is food tours, where tourists are led to different restaurants and markets to sample local foods. These and other themed excursions aren't always available in the Rick Steves Audio Europe app.

Steves also notes that the best tour guides are local residents who are familiar with and highly informed about their hometown in a way outsiders wouldn't be. These individuals and their perspectives are often well worth a fee. Even if you stumble upon a walking tour that claims to be free, know that you shouldn't treat it as such. Guides often expect (or at least hope) to receive a tip at the end for their time and service.

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• Tips and Hacks

Avoid The Worst Of Venice's Crowds On Your Visit With Rick Steves' Simple Suggestion

Walking through St. Mark's Square, visiting Ca' Rezzonico, and taking a gondola or traghetto ride in Venice  is at the top of many bucket lists. Venice may be sinking due to climate change , but for a lot of excited travelers, it's still the destination of a lifetime. Unfortunately, peak tourist season crowds can sometimes make this iconic city feel packed and uncomfortable instead of dreamy and romantic. On his website, Rick Steves' Europe , experienced traveler, TV host, and tour guide Rick Steves proposes a surprising but simple solution: Stay in Venice overnight.

While one might think that spending more time in a city because it's crowded doesn't make sense, Steves points out that the vast majority of Venice's many tourists are coming in on cruise ships during the day, flooding the streets in the heat of the afternoon, and then returning to their ships and heading elsewhere to spend the night. Whether you snag a luxury hotel with a view of the canals out of your window or a budget hostel close to tourist hot spots, you can explore the city in the evening after most of those passing through have already left, or in the morning before they arrive in the first place.

Venice is quieter in the morning and evening

If you're a frequent traveler, then you know that the best time to show up to a lot of tourist hot spots is usually first thing in the morning. According to an update Rick Steves wrote for his website about the changes happening in The Floating City, that especially holds true in Venice. He explained that because Venice is fairly expensive, a lot of visitors prefer to stay in hotels on the mainland and take ships to the city for the afternoon. There are also lots of Italian day-trippers who head to the city in the warm weather. That means in the afternoon, the streets can be absolutely packed, especially around famous sights that tourists won't want to leave Venice without seeing. If you are able to secure relatively affordable accommodations in the city though, you'll get to experience a much more private and romantic side of Venice.

Some visitors to the city enjoy the total solitude of wandering around Venice at night, but you don't have to go to that extreme to avoid crowds. Even the most popular tourist attractions in the city are likely to be quiet around 7 a.m., and you probably won't have to battle crowds around 9:30 a.m., either — but don't worry if you're more of a night owl. By evening, the majority of visitors to Venice will likely have left, leaving the city relatively quiet and ready to be explored at your own pace.

Structure your day to avoid the crowds

Rick Steves is an expert at avoiding crowds and seeking out authentic experiences without sacrificing seeing the most iconic attractions while traveling, so it's no surprise his website has the best advice for getting around even busy destinations like Venice. You'll want to hit the biggest tourist attractions, like St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace, when the city is at its slowest. Usually, that means planning to head out early in the morning as soon as you leave your hotel. At night, you can take advantage of the fact that you're staying in Venice by enjoying a romantic late night canal cruise.

Despite how small the city is, according to Steves, the vast majority of tourists in Venice stay in a very tiny central area where the most famous sights are, so you're going to want to avoid that part of town in the afternoons. While that's the worst time to check major attractions off your itinerary, there's still plenty to experience. You can use that time to take leisurely strolls around the city, away from its touristy area, stopping into little stores and cafés, and exploring everything Venice has to offer.

Recommended

Italy Audio Tours

• PLACES & TRAVEL

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 Italy Audio Tours provide humorous and insightful commentary on the art and history of many of Italy's most notable museums and historic sites in Assisi, Florence, Pompeii, Milan, Naples, Rome, Siena, and Venice. Excerpted from Rick Steves guidebooks. All rights reserved.

Florence: Uffizi Gallery

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 The world's best collection of Italian Renaissance painting shows off the beauty of nature in all its three-dimensional glory, including masterpieces by Michelangelo, Leonardo, and Raphael, plus Botticelli's "Birth of Venus."

Florence: Accademia and David

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 David is the very symbol of Renaissance optimism and one of Europe's great sightseeing thrills. We'll also see Michelangelo's Prisoners — unfinished statues that give insight into this troubled genius.

Florence: Renaissance Walk

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 Florence birthed the Renaissance. Enjoy its soaring church dome, famous statues, lazy river, and world-class gelato. Walk the same narrow streets as Michelangelo, the Medicis, and Florentines today.

Rome: Colosseum

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 Tour ancient Rome's most enduring monument, seeing where emperors sat, gladiators warmed up, and thousands cheered.

Rome: Heart of Rome Walk

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 walk winds through an urban village of narrow lanes, panoramic piazzas, fanciful fountains, and some of Europe’s best people-watching.

Rome: Jewish Ghetto

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 For centuries, Rome's Jewish ghetto has been the site of both relentless persecution and the undying pride and solidarity of a tight-knit community. Though most of the old ghetto has been torn down, you can still find a few reminders of the Roman Jews' storied past and lively present.

Rome: Ostia Antica

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 An exciting day trip from Rome, this ruined ancient city is similar to Pompeii but less touristed. Walk through ancient apartments, shops, temples, and baths of ordinary Romans.

Rome: Pantheon

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 Ancient Rome's best-preserved temple captures Rome at its enlightened peak. Stand under the solemn dome, marvel at the engineering, and picture pious Romans worshipping their pagan gods.

Ratings & Reviews

Fantastic companion.

spirit of eden

I’ve just spent a fascinating couple of hours wandering Naples thanks to this podcast. Extremely well put together. No need to consult a map, just take in the sights and learn some history in the process at entirely your own pace.

Fantastic free resource

JohnnyWalker2K1

This is a hugely wonderful series. I’m so grateful to its creators! I just explored St Peter’s listening to it, and could have continued for another hour. Brilliant stuff. Thank you 🙏

Excellent guide!

Used this for the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel - could not be more impressed! We initially bought the official audio guide (at a hefty €8 each) and got so bored that we turned them off after 10 mins. Decided to try out Rick’s podcast instead, which takes you step by step through the museum and explains the most important bits without tiring you out. Everything is explained in such a fun way and really helps you make sense of such an overwhelming place. We would have been completely lost in the museums without this. Would 100% recommend buying just an entrance ticket to attractions and using these as your guide - you won’t regret it!!

Rome Podcast

These are great audio tours, informative without going into too much detail. Myself, my wife and my 10 year old daughter all found them interesting, to give enough detail without boring the listener with too many dates etc. The audiotours that can be hired at a venue may contain more info. but this can be too much in some cases. Clear instructions for directions and when to pause mean that you are not rushed around Please create more Rick

Information

• Creator Rick Steves
• Years Active 2008 - 2019
• Episodes 24
• Rating Clean
• Copyright © 2012-2019 by Rick Steves' Europe
• Show Website Italy Audio Tours

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Updated 28/09/2018

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