In response to the travel chaos caused by Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano, which has covered northwest Europe in a massive cloud of ash, Lonely Planet is offering 13 of its European iPhone city guides free to stranded travellers.

Wallpaper* City Guides present a tightly edited, discreetly packaged list of the best a location has to offer the design conscious traveller. Here is a precise, informative, insider’s checklist of all you need to know about the world’s most intoxicating cities.

I used Rick Steves’ Guide when I backpacked Europe. It was awesome. I didn’t have to book anything or plan anything until I got there. I felt like I knew things only a local would know. And I could just skim cities before deciding if I wanted take a train over there. Great times.

My friend recommended Timeout’s iPhone app for London. The magazine is the most popular and definitive guide on what to do in London and their app comes just as highly recommended. The magazine costs £2.99 but the app is free!

So today I downloaded it and tried it out. This app is pretty amazing. I think it beats out apps by Urbanspoon and Spoonfed. You can save yourself 4 minutes of reading by just downloading it because it’s free, so no risk. Here’s the review:

If you have internet while traveling to London, you should get this free amazing iPhone Web App. It even has audio commentary. If not I recommend getting this London Audio Guide.
This turns your iPhone or iPod touch into your own personal tour guide, including full audio commentary. The guide will help you plan your trip to London by showing you what to see and do, including opening times, entry prices and plenty of photographs. The guide then helps you make the most of your visit by telling you entertaining stories …