June 2024

How To Leverage ChatGPT To Be The Tour-Guide For Your Next Trip! Do you love travelling but hate doing all the dirty work of planning? Or do you love travelling but get overwhelmed by all the sights-to-see, don’t know which ones to plan for and are scared of missing out? ChatGPT to the rescue my friends! 😉 Last week when I spoke about how to use ChatGPT to find the best personalized travel destination, the same parameters can be used to outline how you would like to tourist (or not) your next vacation destination. Below is a list of actionable steps that I’ve used for myself, that you can take towards your next travel planning: First, specify the logistical details of your travel: Let ChatGPT know your travel dates, budget, transportation preferences (e.g., car/vespa rental, taxi, public transport, boat), accommodation type (hotel, Airbnb, couch-surfing), any physical limitations, etc. Outline Your Preferences, Interests and Personality Type: If there are things you already know that you want to do, be sure to tell ChatGPT! Then start listing your preferences, interests and what you’re not interested in (e.g. I love learning about history, I love nature, I want to spend some days at a beach, I don’t like crowds, etc.). The more specific you can be (e.g. I’m an introvert who struggles to socialize but I LOVE lively events) the better the chance ChatGPT will be able to get it right. Ask for Recommendations: Once you’ve provided your travel details and preferences, ask ChatGPT for recommendations. For example, you could say, “Can you please provide me with a list of restaurants or eating arrangements that will find into my budget of 100 euros for one week in Liguria?” or “Can you suggest a 5-day itinerary for me in Paris, focusing on art and history, with a moderate budget and using public transportation?”. Review and Refine: Once ChatGPT has generated the draft itinerary based on your inputs, you will most likely need to review the suggestions and make some tweaks or additional details to optimize the results. Get Local Insights: If you want more detailed information or local insights about specific attractions, cuisine, or hidden gems, ask ChatGPT for recommendations or tips based on your interests. Don’t forget to ask about local events and festivals that might be happening! Finalize and Organize: You can finalize you itinerary by asking ChatGPT to create a day-by-day schedule (including relevant information such as addresses, contact numbers, and reservation details) and arrange the activities in a logical order, considering factors like proximity and timing. Stay Flexible: While it’s good to have a planned itinerary, remember to stay flexible and allow room for spontaneous experiences or adjustments based on local recommendations or unforeseen circumstances. Now, for those of you who are interested in seeing a sample of what ChatGPT can do, I warn you, there is a LOT to come, so continue reading! For those of you who aren’t interested in the Show-and-tell and don’t want to read through a lengthy blog post, it’s going to be your loss 😉 Since Paris is my FAVOURITE city and I’ve lost count how many times I’ve visited. I decided to use it for my experiment so I could at least corroborate the results that ChatGPT spits out to me to make sure they’re good. So, here’s what I asked ChatGPT while trying to create a hypothetical itinerary for Paris: “I will be travelling to Paris from May 10-30th, 2024. I’m staying at a friend’s apartment in the 16th Arrondissement but I won’t have my own mode of transport and I will also need to shop for all of my own groceries or eat out at restaurants. I’m very interested in seeing Paris as a local, however I still wish to see the Eiffel Tower, l’Arc du Triumph, Montmartre, Rue des Martyrs, Sacre-a-Coeur, Opera, Notre-Dame, Marche aux Puces, Musee Rodin, Musee Picasso and any other special landmarks, and I’d like to do some vintage clothes shopping. Keep in mind that I am an INFJ who finds it difficult to be outgoing, but I love music festivals, cultural events/festivals, history, meeting locals and trying local foods (I LOVE bakeries!). My weekly budget will be 200 euros. Can you please provide me with suggestions on what to see and do?” And here’s what ChatGPT came up with for me: “Certainly! Paris is a wonderful city to explore, and staying in the 16th Arrondissement gives you a beautiful and relatively quiet base. Here’s a plan to help you enjoy Paris as a local, considering your interests and budget: Getting Around Public Transport: Get a weekly Navigo pass (€22.80) which will give you unlimited access to buses, trams, metro, and RER trains. This will be essential for moving around the city. Groceries and Eating Out Groceries: Shop at local markets like the Marché Président Wilson in the 16th Arrondissement. For supermarkets, try Monoprix or Franprix. Bakeries: Indulge in croissants and pastries at bakeries like Boulangerie des Ternes and Boulangerie Patisserie Coudrier Geffroy. Eating Out: Look for affordable options like Café Constant, Le Relais de l’Entrecôte, and various boulangeries and crêperies. Sightseeing Eiffel Tower: A must-see and it’s close to the 16th. Visit the Trocadéro Gardens for great views. L’Arc de Triomphe: Walk down the Champs-Élysées from the Arc de Triomphe to Place de la Concorde. Montmartre & Sacré-Cœur: Spend a day exploring the artistic streets of Montmartre and the beautiful basilica. Rue des Martyrs: A vibrant street with many shops, cafes, and patisseries. Opéra Garnier: Even if you don’t go inside, the building is stunning. Notre-Dame: Although the cathedral is under restoration, the surrounding area and nearby Île Saint-Louis are worth exploring. Marché aux Puces: Visit the famous flea market at Saint-Ouen. Musée Rodin & Musée Picasso: Both are excellent and offer different artistic experiences. Vintage Shopping Le Marais: This district is great for vintage shopping. Visit shops like Kilo Shop, Free’P’Star, and Episode. Cultural Events and Festivals Music Festivals: Check out events happening during your stay on sites like Time Out Paris or the Paris Tourist Office website. Local Meetups: Use platforms like Meetup