Latest news with #tripplanning
CTV News
02-07-2025
- CTV News
Vacation Week: Tips to find last-minute trips
If you've got some time off but don't have any trips planned yet, Lorraine Simpson shows you how to book a last-minute trip to make the most of your vacation time this summer!
CNET
30-06-2025
- CNET
AI Has Made My Trip Planning Easier. What to Know If You're Headed on a Fourth of July Road Trip
If you're planning to travel on the Fourth of July, you're not alone. AAA is forecasting a record 72.2 million people will be traveling domestically in the US during the long weekend, including 1.3 million more road travelers than this time last year. If you're anything like me, you really like road trips but don't like planning ahead -- but right now, it's definitely a good idea to think about your route now so you can avoid the worst of the traffic and figure out what you can see along the way. A friend sent me a list of different artificial intelligence tools they used to make trip planning easier. This list included Curiosio, an AI trip planning tool that provides a map, budget and calculated trip length for you within seconds. My ears perked up imagining its potential output speed. For your road trip planning, you can also read more on the latest gas pricing here. Watch this: I Used Google's Gemini Gem to Plan My Trip 05:19 What is Curiosio and how does it use AI? My nonnegotiables for an AI trip planner list include a bright and accessible interface, little to no fees and inspiration for my upcoming trip. Curiosio delivered. The tool was created by Vas Mylko and Roman Bilusiak to support solo, budget-conscious and multi-stop travelers seeking personalized road trip experiences that feature cost breakdowns and flexible itineraries. The free, AI-powered platform offers features like route optimization, detailed itineraries with maps, cost and time breakdowns and detailed guides to destinations. Between its Geek, Travel and Beta modes, Curiosio compiles quite a few tools to help navigate and embellish your getaway, regardless of what kind of adventure you're going on. What I particularly enjoyed about Curiosio was the focus on road trips instead of trying to be an all-in-one travel planner. I also enjoyed its country-specific branding includes a hot air balloon adorned with each nation's flag, and its typeface that is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones PC game. With many sleek, yet sterile, tech brands on the market, I thought this gave the website a sweet touch. How to use Curiosio AI for planning a road trip Curiosio / Screenshot by CNET Let's first break down the three modes within Curiosio: Travel, Geek and Beta. Travel Mode is for travelers or busybodies who want a simplified, real-time guide. Needless to say, I fall into this category. Here, you can follow your itinerary with directions and context-aware tips. This is perfect if you want hands-off-the-wheel support. There's also Geek Mode, for the detail-driven, perfectionist folks who want control over every detail of their trip. Direct that friend or partner over to this mode so they can put all that energy in Curiosio, and not on you. Here you can customize routing, add filters and use logic to the best of your planning ability. And Beta Mode is for the innovative, experimental type who not only thrives off novelty, but loves diving into a new thing before anyone else. Here you can get access to AI enhancements (and bugs) but also try out new features. At the time of writing, Curiosio was developing its membership to focus on the travel experience. This is how to use Curiosio's travel tool: Head to the website and enter your country. Once selected, navigate to the top and select Travel to enter your starting point and desired destination(s) for your road trip. Specify dates, duration and your budget preferences. Let the AI do its thing and create a personalized road trip plan. Curiosio promises that this will not take longer than 100 seconds. For reference, my plans were generated in about 35 seconds. Review the suggested routes. My output generated four itineraries, ranging in budget and trip length. You can toggle to see the full itinerary breakdown, including a day-by-day itinerary, hotels and budget allocation. Modify by adding or removing the destination to start over, or adjust the travel dates or budget to better fit your needs. Once you're satisfied, finalize your itinerary. This is where you can export the plan to your preferred format or integrate with other mapping tools. Head to the upper right corner of your trip itinerary and select Google Maps from the dropdown menu, or copy the link over to your preferred GPS system. Then use Google Maps or your GPS system to monitor real-time traffic, plus check out any interesting spots between your starting point and your trip's destination. (Though an integrated traffic monitoring system would be a beneficial addition to Curiosio.) Should you use Curiosio? A trip Curiosio planned for me to Jackson Hole. Curiosio / Screenshot by CNET Curiosio is a simple yet ideal tool for independent travelers who crave flexibility, customization and a touch of adventure -- especially those planning multistop road trips. I see it as a great fit for digital nomads, couples, small groups or anyone taking a chaotic road trip with family who wants a streamlined way to create detailed itineraries without relying on prepackaged tours. If you're someone who enjoys the planning process but wants help optimizing routes while also discovering hidden gems, Curiosio can be a time-saving, dopamine-boosting tool. It's also particularly useful for travelers who are budget-conscious but still want well-rounded travel experiences with context tailored to the places they're going. I found the tool easy to navigate, and it definitely helped me save time. Now, Curiosio might not be the best choice for travelers seeking all-inclusive vacations, group tours or very spontaneous getaways. If you prefer to book flights and resorts, or if your travel is centered around staying in one city the entire time, the platform's road trip-focused approach may feel unnecessary and somewhat rudimentary. It's safe to say that if you're seeking an easy, functional and road trip-focused AI tool to support and speed up your planning process, Curiosio is a simple yet functional option. Planning in seconds is an ideal compromise. Now, if only it could pack for me, too.
CNET
27-06-2025
- CNET
AI Has Made My Trip Planning Much Easier. Here's What to Know If You're Headed on a Fourth of July Road Trip
If you're planning to travel on the Fourth of July long weekend, you're not alone. If you're anything like me, you really like road trips but don't like planning ahead. However, it's definitely a good idea to think ahead about your route so you can avoid the worst of the traffic and figure out what you can see along the way. Every road trip I've spontaneously taken has spiraled into anxiety because of the minute detail of planning. My brain immediately jumps to all of the bad things that could happen while on the trip, so why not plan for the road trip ahead of time? A friend sent me a list of different artificial intelligence tools they used to make trip planning easier. This list included Curiosio, an AI trip planning tool that provides a map, budget and calculated trip length for you within seconds. My ears perked up imagining its potential output speed. For your road trip planning, you can also read more on the latest gas pricing here. Watch this: I Used Google's Gemini Gem to Plan My Trip 05:19 How does Curiosio use AI? My nonnegotiables for an AI trip planner list include a bright and accessible interface, little to no fees and inspiration for my upcoming trip. Curiosio delivered. The tool was created by Vas Mylko and Roman Bilusiak to support solo, budget-conscious and multi-stop travelers seeking personalized road trip experiences that feature cost breakdowns and flexible itineraries. The free, AI-powered platform offers features like route optimization, detailed itineraries with maps, cost and time breakdowns and detailed guides to destinations. Between its Geek, Travel and Beta modes, Curiosio compiles quite a few tools to help navigate and embellish your getaway, regardless of what kind of adventure you're going on. What I particularly enjoyed about Curiosio was the focus on road trips instead of trying to be an all-in-one travel planner. I also enjoyed its country-specific branding includes a hot air balloon adorned with each nation's flag, and its typeface that is reminiscent of an Indiana Jones PC game. With many sleek, yet sterile, tech brands on the market, I thought this gave the website a sweet touch. How I use Curiosio for planning a road trip Curiosio / Screenshot by CNET Let's first break down the three modes within Curiosio: Travel, Geek and Beta. Travel Mode is for travelers or busybodies who want a simplified, real-time guide. Needless to say, I fall into this category. Here, you can follow your itinerary with directions and context-aware tips. This is perfect if you want hands-off-the-wheel support. There's also Geek Mode, for the detail-driven, perfectionist folks who want control over every detail of their trip. Direct that friend or partner over to this mode so they can put all that energy in Curiosio, and not on you. Here you can customize routing, add filters and use logic to the best of your planning ability. And Beta Mode is for the innovative, experimental type who not only thrives off novelty, but loves diving into a new thing before anyone else. Here you can get access to AI enhancements (and bugs) but also try out new features. At the time of writing, Curiosio was developing its membership to focus on the travel experience. This is how to use Curiosio's travel tool: Head to the website and enter your country. Once selected, navigate to the top and select Travel to enter your starting point and desired destination(s) for your road trip. Specify dates, duration and your budget preferences. Let the AI do its thing and create a personalized road trip plan. Curiosio promises that this will not take longer than 100 seconds. For reference, my plans were generated in about 35 seconds. Review the suggested routes. My output generated four itineraries, ranging in budget and trip length. You can toggle to see the full itinerary breakdown, including a day-by-day itinerary, hotels and budget allocation. Modify by adding or removing the destination to start over, or adjust the travel dates or budget to better fit your needs. Once you're satisfied, finalize your itinerary. This is where you can export the plan to your preferred format or integrate with other mapping tools. Head to the upper right corner of your trip itinerary and select Google Maps from the dropdown menu, or copy the link over to your preferred GPS system. Then use Google Maps or your GPS system to monitor real-time traffic, plus check out any interesting spots between your starting point and your trip's destination. (Though an integrated traffic monitoring system would be a beneficial addition to Curiosio.) Who should use Curiosio? A trip Curiosio planned for me to Jackson Hole. Curiosio / Screenshot by CNET Curiosio is a simple yet ideal tool for independent travelers who crave flexibility, customization and a touch of adventure -- especially those planning multistop road trips. I see it as a great fit for digital nomads, couples, small groups or anyone taking a chaotic road trip with family who wants a streamlined way to create detailed itineraries without relying on prepackaged tours. If you're someone who enjoys the planning process but wants help optimizing routes while also discovering hidden gems, Curiosio can be a time-saving, dopamine-boosting tool. It's also particularly useful for travelers who are budget-conscious but still want well-rounded travel experiences with context tailored to the places they're going. I found the tool easy to navigate, and it definitely helped me save time. Now, Curiosio might not be the best choice for travelers seeking all-inclusive vacations, group tours or very spontaneous getaways. If you prefer to book flights and resorts, or if your travel is centered around staying in one city the entire time, the platform's road trip-focused approach may feel unnecessary and somewhat rudimentary. It's safe to say that if you're seeking an easy, functional and road trip-focused AI tool to support and speed up your planning process, Curiosio is a simple yet functional option. Planning in seconds is an ideal compromise. Now, if only it could pack for me, too.
CNET
18-06-2025
- CNET
The 6 Google AI and Lens Features I'm Using to Plan My Summer Travel
Even though travel is genuinely one of my favorite things to do (and my favorite thing to spend money on), it can still be overwhelming to plan a dream trip. I have dozens and dozens of trips -- domestic and international -- under my belt and yet, I still find the process of planning and booking stressful. According to a March 2025 survey, nearly half of all Americans (44%) plan to take a trip that requires a flight or hotel this summer. That means millions of Americans are gathering their passports, creating itineraries and gearing up to travel over the summer. If you're one of those people, you may be looking for help planning your trip. That's where AI can help. You can use numerous other AI tools for travel planning, from a general-purpose chatbot like ChatGPT that can answer all of your travel-related queries to AI Trip Planner, which could be your AI-powered travel agent. Usually, though, I use Google tools. Specifically, there are key Google AI and Google Lens features that can assist you with all of your summer travel prep. I've used these tools thoroughly over my many travels. Here is my go-to portfolio of Google apps and services that help me book and navigate my vacation. For more travel advice, see the best time to shop for airline tickets and how to find cheap flights. I also explain how I use Google Maps for stress-free travel. I Used Google's Gemini Gem to Plan My Trip I Used Google's Gemini Gem to Plan My Trip Click to unmute Video Player is loading. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Next playlist item Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 5:19 Loaded : 1.86% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 5:19 Share Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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I Used Google's Gemini Gem to Plan My Trip Let AI make custom travel itineraries Google's AI Overviews in Search can make planning your next trip simpler. This tool was initially announced in March 2024, and I've been using it for more than a year now to generate personalized travel itineraries for the cities I'm visiting. For instance, I asked Google to plan a bookstore-focused tour of Edinburgh when I was there for three days in May. Now the feature is expanding. Google said last week that it plans to broaden the capabilities of AI Overviews in Search so you can now make day-by-day itineraries for more than just cities but for distinct regions or entire countries. Just type in a quick command like "create an itinerary for England with a focus on history" or "create an itinerary for New Zealand with a focus on nature." The AI draws on data from a range of sources, such as reviews, photos and business profiles submitted to Google by people over time. From there, you can export your itinerary to Gmail, Docs or Maps. It's always important to remember not to take AI-generated answers at face value since it makes mistakes and even makes things up. You should diligently fact-check the information with expert sources in case the AI tool is hallucinating, pulling results from dubious sources or generating false information. If you need a case study, explore this piece by CNET's Katie Collins, who tested the accuracy of several AI tools regarding a city she knows inside and out. Get travel inspiration from Gemini Travel planning can be overwhelming, especially in a new city. When that happens, I turn to Gemini, Google's AI chatbot. Since the fall 2024 update to Google Maps, Gemini can suggest activities and dining options for your travels. You can also ask it to find budget-friendly activities in a city or things to do in a country you're visiting when it's raining. Gemini uses Google reviews to curate personalized suggestions and shows them as pins on the map. This feature makes planning easier, helping you discover tailored options and reducing stress. For comparison, I sometimes give other chatbots, like ChatGPT and Claude, the same travel-related queries and I get comparable answers. Did I mention that you should be sure to fact-check what an AI chatbot tells you? Create an AI travel agent You can also try Gemini's Gems feature, which lets you customize Gemini to create your own personal AI expert. Gems are customized versions of Gemini that help you tackle repetitive tasks or insight when researching. That means you can set up a travel planner Gem to help you choose a travel destination, find restaurants in a new city or what to pack for a given vacation. Google is now offering Gems without a subscription. To use this feature, you must be signed in to Gemini Apps, and then you can create a custom Gem through the "Gems manager" on the desktop. When I experimented with this feature, I created a "travel agent" Gem and wrote down instructions for the Gem's main objectives and capabilities and the style and tone of response I wanted from it. Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNET I asked my Gem to create a 10-day itinerary for island-hopping around the Caribbean with the query, "I've always wanted to island-hop around the Caribbean islands. Please create an itinerary (for about 10 days), hitting the major islands and biggest attractions." My Gem responded by asking me what time of year I wish to travel, my budget and my ideal traveling pace. From my responses, Travel Agent Gem planned a 10-day trip around Puerto Rico, St. Lucia and Barbados, blending my interests in beaches, nature and history. Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNET You can use Gem free to design your ultimate dream vacation, without booking an expensive travel agent. Even though these AI tools can be helpful, they can't replace the advice and insight of a real expert. Allow AI to organize screenshots of travel ideas If you're anything like me, your Photos app is filled with thousands of images from social media, Pinterest, TikTok and travel blogs. When travel planning, I like to screenshot photos of restaurants, museums, parks and other attractions I am just dying to visit. By the end, I have seemingly endless screenshots to sift through. In March, Google announced it's rolling out a feature to the Maps app that can identify locations in your screenshots and save them to a list, making it easier to organize your travel plans. The feature scans screenshots for text mentioning specific places, displays those locations on the map and lets you review, save or share them. This screenshot list feature is now available for iOS users in the US, with Android support coming soon. Find the cheapest hotels available I have no problem booking flights -- really. No matter what the sticker price is. But booking hotels? Whew, that's an expense that hurts. Especially because lodging is usually the biggest fee of any trip. I use Google Flights every day to find the cheapest flights possible. (No, I literally check it daily and have email notifications set for 15-plus destinations when prices dip.) And now, Google is bringing that magic to booking hotels. At you'll see a new option to track prices for your selected dates and destination. Just like on Google Flights, you can simply toggle the price-tracking option below the search filters and you'll receive an email notification if prices drop significantly for any hotels in your search results. You can even set filters, such as star rating or beach access, as well as the area you're viewing on the map. I have notifications set for hotel prices in San Juan, Puerto Rico, in early May. Screenshot by Macy Meyer/CNET Choose an AI-driven tour guide Easily translate menus or signs with Lens. Google OK, this isn't a new travel feature coming to Google but it's still a good one that can make travel much easier. One of my biggest concerns when traveling to a foreign county is the language barrier. The idea of becoming lost in a strange city and being unable to ask for help is my nightmare. Google's Lens feature can ease these fears. Lens makes it easy to learn more about the city you're visiting, your surroundings and the local language. It can quickly and accurately translate street signs, maps and menus to help you navigate a foreign language. Just point your camera, tap the translate filter and watch the words translate on your screen. Lens can decipher more than just text -- it can also quickly identify objects or buildings. Suppose you see a crowd of people hovering around a statue or a set of doors. In that case, you can simply point your camera and ask something along the lines of "What are these for?" and Lens will generate an AI Overview with information and links to additional resources. AI Overviews in Lens (and Circle to Search) are now available in more than 200 countries and territories, and in more than 40 languages. For more, see our traveler's prep checklist and how to improve your odds of not having your flight canceled or delayed.
The Guardian
13-06-2025
- The Guardian
From the best local hotspots to fraud protection: four ways ‘chief holiday officers' can ace their planning
With the holiday season fast approaching, most people will be busy seeking out the perfect destination. However, for chief holiday officers (CHOs), trip planning goes well beyond the simple question of 'where to go?'. While everyone else is dreaming about sipping cocktails by the pool or taking in the unforgettable vistas from a popular hiking path, CHOs are the ones building the 'who's paid what?' spreadsheets, reading every single review in painstaking detail, and downloading the multitude of apps that will introduce everyone to a wealth of local experiences. Yes, they are the people who thrive on good planning. CHOs love a bit of legwork, get great satisfaction in thinking of the unthinkable, and exude the role of organiser – especially when it comes to putting together a trip to remember. However, even the best CHOs could do with support, and to make their lives easier Barclays has curated a suite of products, including the Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month), which offers cover for lost bags, cancellations and breakdowns for those who are looking for great value as well as peace of mind, and the Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), which not only offers traditional travel insurance, but also a wealth of extras that help make any holiday feel safe, comfortable and – dare we say it – an adventure. From discounted fast-track security at airports to 24/7 concierge service, this means being looked after at every stage of the trip. So buckle up, these are the holiday gamechangers you never knew you needed. According to the Civil Aviation Authority, flights from UK airports departed on average 18 minutes and 24 seconds late last year. While even the savviest of travellers do their best to take delays in their stride, it can be a drag arriving at the airport only to be hit with the news that you're going to be waiting around a while – not to mention the inevitable check-in queues and uncomfortable waiting areas that have to be endured. Thankfully, the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month) is designed to help soothe these moments. It comes with the DragonPass Premier+ app2, which offers a discounted fast-track service at airport security – all you have to do is pre-book online to avoid the stress and walk straight past those seemingly neverending queues. Once through, you can enjoy six free visits to more than 1,000 airport lounges, with 25% off at selected restaurants. With this extra assistance, that typically harried time spent at the airport can be transformed into a relaxing – and enjoyable – experience. Even better, if you boost your regular Barclays account with Blue Rewards3, you get access to exclusive Apple Original shows and movies only on Apple TV+. While escaping the great British weather is often at the forefront of most people's minds when booking a trip, CHOs are often thinking about how to make the most of their expenditure. The Barclaycard Avios Plus credit card* allows you to collect Avios – the currency of the British Airways Club – with every £1 you spend on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Collecting Avios through day-to-day spending can save you money on flights, upgrades, hotels and car hire. If you plan to use your credit card abroad, then a Barclaycard Rewards credit card** comes with zero foreign transaction fees. Even better, you get 0.25% cashback on eligible purchases (T&Cs apply). Top tip: always pay in local currency to get the best exchange rate on the day. In 2025, keeping your bank account secure has to be a priority – and Barclaycard has a fraud team on hand in the UK and abroad. This means if the unfortunate does happen, Barclaycard will refund you for any fraud on your account, including associated interest payments. So keep your local helpline number close and get in touch as soon as possible if you think you've been targeted. The Barclays app4 also makes keeping your money safe abroad a breeze – you can temporarily freeze your account with the click of a button should you lose your card while away or fear it's been compromised. *Representative example. 80.1% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 29.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit; monthly fee, £20. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. **Representative example. 28.9% representative APR (variable); purchase rate 28.9% p.a. (variable); based on £1,200 credit limit. The approval of your application depends on your financial circumstances and borrowing history, so do the terms you may be offered. The interest rates may differ from those shown. T&Cs apply. Delving deep beneath the touristy hubs of any destination is a must when getting to know the wondrous places that host you. Visiting restaurants, markets and businesses that are owned and run by local communities not only enable you to experience the local way of life, but you can also be reassured your money is going back into the local economy and to those who need it the most. A part of the Barclays Travel Plus Pack1 (£22.50 per month), the digital concierge service provided by Ten offers seamless access to the best activities, events and eateries wherever you are in the world. From booking top-name restaurants to activities unique to the destination, the Ten activities hub will guide you to a list of unmissable things to do. Additionally, Ten allows you to book room upgrades and spa experiences in hotels. If your timing is right, members might also be offered complimentary tickets to exclusive events in town, such as music gigs and sporting events. Every good CHO knows that the best way to stay safe while travelling is to have reliable travel insurance that protects every aspect of your holiday. Teaming up with Aviva to include winter sports, cruises and even non-manual work outside of the UK, the Barclays Travel Pack1 (£14.50 per month) protects you on both family holidays and work trips, without any need for extra cover. And if you enjoy the freedom of having your own transport while travelling – especially with a family – it also comes armed with RAC breakdown cover, with unlimited UK callouts for account holders in any vehicle they are travelling in. Even better, this cover will ensure you have access to a hire car, alternative transport options (for example, you'll be able to take a train or plane), and overnight accommodation, if your car was to break down – ensuring your holiday doesn't come to an end too early. If you intend to be away for more than 31 days, you can purchase a 'longer trip upgrade' for up to 120 days. This option is ideal for those taking a sabbatical or those who are off on the adventure of a lifetime. A pre-trip call is all you need to remember, and then the fun can begin! Find out more about Barclays travel perks by visiting 1 Terms, conditions, exclusions and eligibility criteria apply. You must have a Barclays current account, be 18 or over and hold this product for at least six months from the date of purchase – then you can cancel at any time. 2 Terms and conditions apply for the DragonPass Premier+ app and fast track security. 3 To join Barclays Blue Rewards, eligibility, conditions and a £5 monthly fee apply. 4 You must be 11 or over to use the app. T&Cs apply.
