Discover Best Audiobooks in Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Budapest

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 6 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-03-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 3.5 of 5 out of 4 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities.

We'll lead you down Andrassy Avenue, Budapest's Champs Elysées, and tell you about the Opera House and it's curious Masonic significance. The next stop is St Stephen's Basilica, where you'll hear about the right hand of St Stephen and find out what disaster struck this beautiful building just after it was completed.

Budapest has Europe's largest synagogue and we'll recall its poignant history and tell you what to look out for during your visit. We'll then move onto the great museum, where you'll hear about the moving speech by Budapest's greatest poet, Sandor Petoffi. After an introduction to the city's vast food market (chicken feet, anyone?), we'll lead you through the elegant Vorosmarty and Roosevelt Squares, over the famous Chain Bridge, which was built by English and Scottish engineers.

Critic Reviews:

"I've been to Budapest before, but genuinely never got such a feel for the city and its history as I did with this amazing tour - highly recommended." (James Kempson, Richmond)

"What a great way to see a city - no messing about with maps - although the route plan they give you is great, and I really felt I knew my way around by the end the day." (Yasmeena, Birmingham)

Members Reviews:

Excellent

I listened to this book with my Ipod Shuffle while I walked through the streets of Budapest.

This book was very well organized - very helpful and was well researched. It was truely a pleasure to have while I visited the city, and it was well worth the investment.

I did not have the printed material that was reference in the book, but I was still able to follow along with a free city map.

I highly recommend this title for anyone making a visit to Budapest.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Edinburgh Walking Tour

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 2 mins

Language: English

Release date: 07-02-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

From its ancient palace and castle to the elegance of New Town, we'll show you the well-known - and less obvious - sites of Scotland's capital.

Our tour includes: the New Scottish, Parliament, Holyroodhouse Palace, Cannongate Kirk, John Knox's House, St Giles Cathedral, The Greyfriars Bobby, the Castle, the National Gallery of Scotland, Princes Street, and finally, New Town.

We start our tour at one of Edinburgh's newest landmarks: the new Scottish Parliament, designed by Catalan architect Miralles. Then you'll hear about one of the city's oldest sites. In the 12th century, King David was hunting when he saw a stag with a cross or "rood" between its horns. This site prompted him to establish an abbey on that site, and we'll tell you how the great palace of Holyroodhouse developed over the centuries from this mythical event.

As you walk up the Royal Mile, you'll hear about the history of Edinburgh from the settlers who set up camp where the castle is now through Scotland's struggles with English invaders and the time of the Covenant, which established its Presbyterian church. We'll show you John Knox's house and explain what his First Blast Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women actually meant.

At St Giles Cathedral, we'll explain how this French saint came to become patron saint of Edinburgh. We'll tell you the moving story behind the Greyfriars Bobby, the dog who was so loyal to his master, before we move up to the Castle. You'll hear about how the great canon, Mons Meg, and the Honours of Scotland disappeared and were found again - in a very unlikely place.

Critic Reviews:

"Thoroughly enjoyed my tour. I wasn't sure about an audio guide to start with, but being able to see things and hear about them at the same time, rather than having your nose stuck in a guide book, really works." (Jane Petersham, Sutton Coldfield)

"Great tour - really put the city and its history into context and added lots of fascinating insights and thoughts." (James Rittington, Surrey)

"A great way to see a city - the printed guide with restaurants and shops was very useful as well." (Anita Right, London)

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Vienna - The Medieval City

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Original Recording

Length: 1 hr and 8 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-30-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities...

We start by the celebrated Opera House and the Sacher Hotel, home of the even more celebrated Sachertorte chocolate cake. Then we'll lead you past some of Vienna's most remarkable and beautiful churches.

We'll show you where Mozart wrote The Magic Flute and explain why it possibly cost him his life. You'll visit the grand cathedral, the Stephansdom, and learn the meaning of the mysterious "05" that is carved into its walls.

As we guide you through the picturesque winding streets of the old town, we'll tell the story of the tragic Mayerling affair and show you how to find the Roman ruins in Vienna's oldest square, the Hoher Market.

We'll explain what schmah is and take you to the Judensplatz, where you'll hear about the moving but controversial new monument to Vienna's Holocaust victims, before we show you the world's most luxurious fire station.

Critic Reviews:

"A great tour - full of interesting facts - and I should know, I'm a history teacher." (Keith Radcliffe, Birmingham)

Members Reviews:

Short guide to the basics of Vienna

What did you love best about Vienna - The Medieval City?

I liked the format, which was to walk the listener to a location and then pause to give us a chance to explore it at length. I also liked hearing the stories behind the people and places.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Vienna - The Medieval City?

I was interested to hear another hypothesis pertaining to Mozart's untimely death (that it might have been freemason revenge).

What does Simon Harry Brooke bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book?

He has a very pleasant delivery and a good storytelling manner. He also has a lovely British accent that I wouldn't hear if I were reading the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No, it's not that kind of book. You listen to it as you walk and, whether you do the whole tour in one day or space it out is a matter of individual preference. I did it both ways because I wanted to hear parts again.

Any additional comments?

Reference is made more than once to a printed guide. The only pdf document I can find on Audible is the tour script - no guide. The script says, for example, "The detailed instructions showing how to use this tour are in your Printed Guide along with lots of information about museums, galleries, shops and restaurants." The guide would be really useful. Its absence is why I gave the book an overall 4 stars instead of 5.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Vienna - The Imperial City

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Original Recording

Length: 1 hr and 10 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-28-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities...

As we take in the magnificent baroque Karlskirche we'll tell you why it was built. Moving on to the neighbouring Secession building, you'll hear about the Jugenstil movement and why it shocked contemporary Vienna, including the Emperor Franz Josef.

We'll tell you about the history of this city, which lies at the crossroads of Europe, and recount the witty but tragic comment that Sigmund Freud made to the Nazis as they arrested him.

As we show you the city's great art galleries and churches, we'll point out the art school that rejected an applicant named Adolf Hitler and explain the meaning of "Strum un Strang". We'll help you get your bearings around the vast Hofburg Palace complex and tell you about the tragic Empress Sissy.

Most importantly, we'll point out the best of Vienna's coffeehouses along the way - including Trotsky's favourite.

Critic Reviews:

"My boyfriend was the one who wanted to do this, as I'm not really interested in history - or at least I wasn't. I thought the bit about the last emperor and empress was really moving, especially when we saw her tomb! Top tour!" (Sophie, London)

Members Reviews:

almost perfect.

very interesting and a great way to find out about the city. you do need a map though so sit down with a map and listen to this before you go. I got lost a couple of times. Apart form that it is great.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Paris - Romance and Revolution

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Original Recording

Length: 1 hr

Language: English

Release date: 05-20-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities.

Blending an unlikely combination of romantic corners and revolutionary history, this tour of some of the quieter, less well known parts of the perennially romantic city of Paris actually starts at one of its liveliest, most famous sites: the Place de la Concorde. But here too we bring you something new - by revealing its names over the centuries as Paris was rocked by revolution and explaining what you're looking at as you look at it.

We'll tell you, for instance, why Parisians would once have lived in terror of one of the grand mansions which borders it. Later, you'll learn about the best food shop in Paris and what monks have to do with cappuccino. The secrets of the Garnier Opera house are revealed and the tour goes on to show how one speech in the gardens of the Palais-Royal, although peaceful and rarely crowded today, sparked the French Revolution of 1789.

After strolling through the romantic, historic Marais district and exploring one of the most elegant, tranquil squares in Paris, you'll arrive at the Place de Bastille, where you'll hear why its liberation was actually something of an anti-climax.

Finally, you'll arrive in the charming but overlooked Ile Saint Louis with its quiet streets and excellent cafes and restaurants.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Rome - Spanish Steps - Pantheon - Piazza Novona

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Original Recording

Length: 57 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-20-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 4 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities.

As you walk down the Spanish Steps, we'll explain why the Pope at the time they were built was so unenthusiastic about them and also why the fountain at the bottom looks like it's sinking. We'll point out the Keats-Shelley Museum and talk about the Romantic poet's tragic life and then explain what Roman firemen do to the Colonna dell'Immacolata every year.

Instead of burying your nose in your guide book, you'll be able to see what's around you as we talk about Rome, past and present. You'll hear about the two men who shaped Rome - Borromini and Bernini - and about their great rivalry. We'll tell you where the word Malaria comes from and what paparazzi means too.

As you wander through the quieter streets of this capital city, we'll show you what other tourist guides don't - where old aristocrats still live with Old Masters on their walls - and where to find quiet, hidden-away restaurants, where the real Romans go to eat.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Rome - Vatican - Trastevere

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Original Recording

Length: 55 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-19-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 6 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities.

Your tour starts in Peter's Square where we explain why this great church was built here, what you can see as you look at it and why the Popes over the ages have had a difficult relationship with Rome. We'll also give you the name of the only English Pope - so far!

After the crowds and noise of St Peters, walk with us down the calm, pretty Via Giulia and learn how it came to be built against the odds. We'll explain the macabre history of Santa Maria dell'Orazione e Morte and then lead you into the elegant Palazzo Farnese as we tell you about the great Farnese family - and some of the other families that have shaped Rome over the centuries.

Then, coming bang up to date, we'll show you some of the funkiest clothes shops in Rome - for humans and dogs - before we head off to the Ghetto. Rome might be long associated with the Catholic church, but the city's Jewish population also has a turbulent and moving history. We'll point out the best restaurants and cafes along the way.

Finally. we'll take you across the Tiber to Trastevere, where the churches, streets and the mood are all very different - but the ice cream is just as good, especially if you know where to look.

Critic Reviews:

"Cool tours. We downloaded them when were in England visiting from the States and then took it with us. Via Giulia just beautiful - great escape from the crazy crowds of St Peters." (Chris and Carey, Connecticut, USA)

Members Reviews:

Poor pronunciation

The reader has a voice suited to MTV or radio 1 pop music, the cadence of her words are so poorly juxtaposed with the scenes she is describing. At one point she restarts her script and such little work was done on this guide that they couldn't even be bothered to edit it.

So, too lazy to get the correct pronunciations (her Tras tev evrry is the best :)

Too lazy to edit, really not value for money at all.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: London

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Unabridged

Length: 1 hr and 1 min

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 3 of 5 out of 5 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities.

For over 2,000 years, London has been a centre of trade and politics - and a font of new ideas and trends in architecture, fashion and the arts. Our guide starts with the great Palace of Westminster, where we explain what happened on the fateful night of 16th October 1834 - and how it affected the magnificent building we see today.

We'll talk about Westminster Abbey and its thousand-year-old history before we walk up Whitehall. We'll then name the dodgy character who built 10 Downing Street before visiting the little known official centre of London. Listeners can hear of Hitler's plans for Nelson's Column and then learn about the history of Buckingham Palace and The Mall, complete with their brothel and leper colony.

After a visit to the monarchy's frequently overlooked "Senior Palace" we'll stroll along Piccadilly and explain where its name comes from. At Piccadilly Circus we'll reveal the official title of Eros and explain why Regent Street is so-called - as well as the real reason for its construction.

Finally, we'll arrive at the shops and cafés of Covent Garden, where we'll discuss why this part of London has a "piazza" and reveal which famous character from stage and screen was inspired by a regular of that piazza.

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Florence Tour

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Original Recording

Length: 1 hr and 20 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 4.5 of 5 out of 2 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities...

We'll start at the Duomo, Florence's vast cathedral, and tell you not only how the magnificent dome was created but how this remarkable piece of engineering was one of the cornerstones of the Renaissance. Whether you go inside then or wait until later is up to you. Either way, next we'll wander down the Via Calzaiuoli and talk about how the shops around this modern Florentine street relate to the Renaissance and Florence's history.

We'll show where Florence's smartest cafés are and then take you into the Palazzo Vecchio, and then the Ponte Vecchio, and explain what all those padlocks on its railings are about.

Then, into Oltrarno, and we'll talk about the history of the Palazzo Pitti and its connection with opera as well as explaining what is so vitally important to the history of art about a small fresco in the Brancacci chapel.

We'll then point out to you the best and oldest fragrance shop in Florence and show you the vast and sombre Medici chapel. You'll get a great understanding not only of what is what and where to find it in Florence, but also of the history and significance of this great city.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your My Library section along with the audio.

Critic Reviews:

"We only had a long weekend to do the city and so your tour really helped us get our bearings. There's just so much to see there! I know we only scraped the surface, but it worked really well for us." (Jamie and Tanya, Woking)

Please open https://hotaudiobook.com ONLY on your standard browser Safari, Chrome, Microsoft or Firefox to download full audiobooks of your choice for free.

Title: Berlin

Subtitle: mp3cityguides Walking Tour

Author: Simon Harry Brooke

Narrator: Simon Harry Brooke

Format: Unabridged

Length: 45 mins

Language: English

Release date: 05-13-08

Publisher: MP3 City Guides

Ratings: 5 of 5 out of 1 votes

Genres: Travel & Adventure, Guided Tours

Publisher's Summary:

Historical and cultural walking tours of Europe's finest cities.

Dynamic, cosmopolitan, and just a little bit decadent, Berlin is one of the fastest-changing cities in Europe. We'll talk you through its remarkable and often troubled history and show you the vibrant, creative Berlin of today. We start at the magnificent Reichstag and talk about its war-torn history - and its exciting modern incarnation.

We then direct you round to the Brandenburg Gate, where we explain not only what you're looking at but we also put this historic symbol of Germany into context.

Afterwards, we pay a visit to the new Holocaust Memorial, explain the thinking behind it - and reveal why it's proved to be so controversial. We then wander down Unter den Linden, hear about what the name means, and take a short detour over to Checkpoint Charlie.

Then we take in the impressive architecture of Bebelplatz but also talk about the most shameful episode in the square's history - and point out the simple but moving memorial to that awful event that so many visitors miss.

After the glorious Berlin cathedral, we finally we arrive at the TV Tower, and we'll tell you why it was such an embarrassment to the Communist regime that built it.

We'll also tell you about the coolest bars, restaurants and shops, and show how the past, present, and future converge and sometimes clash in the Berlin of the 21st century.