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Anyone use the tours in the Rick Steve's Audio Europe app?

Going to Rome soon, the first time in probably over 10 years.

I had an audiobook of walking tours in Rome, which was originally in cassette form. It would direct you where to go and prompt you to pause the tape as it explained the significance of the place it directed you t.

They reference maps in the book and I found a preview of the book which shows those maps but not very detailed.

So I was looking for something similar or more updated. Turns out the RS Audio Europe app is just that, has audio telling you about the places, presumably, as well as a map of those places as you listen.

You have to download the tours you want into the app. I just downloaded a few for Rome and they're abut 40 MB each.

I've had this app for a long time but never really opened it.

Has anyone used this app for the audio tours? I usually go on organized walking tours too and the audiobook I have is very history-focused, which I don't mind.

The tour guides, I guess in Europe they tend to be licensed, even if doing the free tours for tips, impart varying degrees of history.

I don't know how history-savvy these RS tours will be.

Posted by
136 posts

I used the walking tours from the app in Athens. I really appreciate his colorful narration.

Posted by
4297 posts

We used it in London this past May. We did his Historic London, The City Walk. We purchased earbuds and each wore one which was sufficient. It really was fun and easy to follow. It helps if you are not in a rush to get somewhere.

Posted by
156 posts

Used Rick’s museum guides in Florence and they were very informative. They are not comprehensive, but focus on the highlights so if you want to see everything in the museum with a guide you might want the museum guide.

Posted by
130 posts

Lot of positive feedback.

Looking forward to trying them.

Will still use guided tours, booked one already for Colosseum and Forum. Many of the skip the line tours were already almost sold out for July as of a week or two ago.

Posted by
289 posts

I’ve used the RS Audioguides in several cities in museums, churches, and for on the street walking tours. I’ve been happy with them, and they are easy to follow. Ricks narration is very similar to the style of his TV programs. I think they’re a good enhancement when a guided tour or an official audio guide for a particular place isn’t available and I’ve enjoyed using them. And you can’t go wrong on the price:)

Posted by
10288 posts

I used Rick's audio walks for several walks in Rome last year and thought they were great ! Good info, easy to follow, and offered for free !

Posted by
3 posts

I've used the ones for Rome, London, and Athens. All were helpful -- corny humor but good info.

Posted by
2761 posts

Another happy user here. As has been noted, very similar style to his TV shows and RS tours. Unfortunately there aren't many choices for some countries (e.g. Turkey, where I'm headed next), but for Rome you have many selections. The good news is you can listen to them ahead of time to see if they're detailed enough for your taste, if not, you can book a walking tour.

Posted by
538 posts

I too have used his audioguides multiple times - city walks in Rome, London, Madrid, Copenhagen, Paris, Berlin and Florence, plus many of his guided museum walks. Sometimes I go somewhere that wasn't on my radar just because I discover Rick has a guide for it, like the Bargello Museum in Florence.
I mean, they're free. I think they're pretty great considering that. If you don't like what you heard, you've lost nothing but an hour or two of your time.

Posted by
3575 posts

Another RS audio guide fan here!🙋🏼‍♀️. We have used Athens city walk, all three Amsterdam walks, Paris historic walk, Munich and Rothenburg walks and will use his London walks this fall when we go.

Posted by
1593 posts

I've listened to all of them at least once, and the Italy ones many, many times, but not when I am actually abroad. This is going to sound as though I think they are boring, which I do not, but I find them ideal for helping me get back to sleep in the middle of the night --- interesting enough to distract me from my own thoughts, but not new and exciting (which would keep me awake). Rick's voice is great for this but I could do without the woman's too-high-pitched voice.

Rocky Ruggiero's Italy podcasts are also terrific for my purposes. I wouldn't be surprised to be told that one reason I can remember so many details about museums, churches, cities, etc. is because I "listen" to Rick (and Rocky) while asleep.

Posted by
21 posts

we listened as we sat on the steps of St. Marks and in Milan. Just download the ones you want to hear. it was fun - like having Rick right there with us!

Posted by
3097 posts

I use the app for tour and travel prep. When I’m walking to get in shape, I listen to tours and interviews to learn more about where I’m going.

I seldom use them on my trips. Either I don’t think about them or the walks are too far from where I am or don’t go in reverse order or by then I’d rather explore on my own.

Posted by
130 posts

Yeah I was listening to one of them. Looks like they took podcasts and made an app.

The map in the Heart of Rome tour is convenient to have right there but I'm not so sure it relates to the audio narration.

If they had it diagrammed to points of interest, number it and refer to the numbers in the narration and the map, it would be really useful.