Last week, I took a really cool course on how to use ChatGPT for business and WOW my mind is blown! One of the biggest surprises, is how it can help me personally with trip planning. I’m already excited to put my new skills to work for our next vacation – a return trip to the Sedona area. We visited once before for a four-day weekend, but this time we will be staying longer.
Since we’ve already seen some of the more common sights, I’m planning to use ChatGPT to uncover any must-see places we may have missed last time. It’s like having your very own AI travel agent – minus the commission fees and awkward small talk.
Here’s how I’m planning to use ChatGPT to make this trip even better for our family:
1. Finding New Must-See Spots:
We already explored some of the popular tourist spots on our last trip, so I’ll ask ChatGPT for hidden gems and lesser-known experiences in the Phoenix and Sedona areas. I’m hoping to find some cool trails, unique local eateries, and interesting shops that we didn’t have time for before. I can even give it our preferences (like secondhand shopping) and budget, to make sure that the suggestions align with our needs.
2. Building an Itinerary:
Once I gather some ideas, I’ll ask ChatGPT for a sample itinerary that helps us maximize our extra time. Whether it’s scenic drives, family friendly hikes, or casual breakfast spots, the AI can put the time in to figure out what makes the most sense, so I don’t have to draw out my own maps and check Google Maps a dozen times for expected driving times. I can even ask it to choose activities based on user reviews and list sources, such as the best place to rent an e-bike based on 5 star reviews.
3. Updating my Packing List:
If you don’t already have a packing list, you can ask ChatGPT to create a list based on your number of days, activities and family members. However, I already have previous packing lists I’ve used for trips. So, I can upload a previous list (or a few lists) into ChatGPT and ask it to create an excel spreadsheet updating my packing lists for our number of days and activities for this trip. Isn’t that INSANE?! It can even make you a shopping list for travel sized items that you can just print out and take to the store with you.
I absolutely LOVED taking the course on ChatGPT and find it absolutely fascinating on how I can use AI to make my life a little easier. Let me know if you’re interested in me writing more about what I’ve learned in my class!