It happened. We finally gave in to our curiosity and decided to hand the reins over to AI…kinda.

After booking a trip to Barbados this summer, Flight Finder Genora found herself equally bored and overwhelmed by the number of articles proclaiming to hold the secret to the island’s best beaches. So instead of dedicating her whole holiday to finding the answer for herself, she let the bots decide.

Here are just a few of the tips she picked up along the way…

"Tip #1: Remember that AI doesn't know how you feel, so be sure to adjust your itinerary to fit your energy levels.

The first step in getting an AI to plan my itinerary was deciding on which AI to use. While we’re all familiar with the popular kid on the block, ChatGPT, there are also a number of other platforms that have come up specifically for travelers.

First, I gave ChatGPT a try, by prompting it to provide a 7-day itinerary with my arrival and departure time and budget. It initially gave some not-so-great results.

But with a little tweaking and some prompt engineering magic (adding as many details as possible and asking it to pose as a travel planner), I had a budget-friendly itinerary that was just right for me.

Next, I explored GuideGeek, a specialized WhatsApp AI designed for travelers… One thing I noticed, neither itinerary took into account my energy levels. I didn't want to end up needing a vacation to recover from my vacation.

Tip #2: To get more bang for your buck, don't rely on AI to find you a place, as chances are the lesser-known gem won't show up.

I personally think it's better not to rely on AI when searching for a place to stay. I found that many AI programs, like ChatGPT, only rely on past data to make recommendations, so they may not have the most accurate pricing information.

Also, they tend to suggest only well-known hotels/accommodations, which may not always be the best fit for your needs. For example, my travel buddy and I were looking for a two-bedroom, two-bathroom configuration, which is a bit harder to come by in the big hotels and resorts.

We ended up taking our friends' advice and stayed at BLR Beach Resort in St. Lawrence Gap. It was the perfect spot, with easy access to the airport, beaches, restaurants, nightlife, and more.

Tip #3: Don’t rely on AI prices, always ask someone on the ground (or the JFC community). Neither ChatGPT nor GuideGeek mentioned the cost of transportation to our activities, and as the ChatGPT disclaimer stated ‘the prices of tours can also vary depending on season and availability’.

What AI suggested for day 1:

- Bridgetown walking tour
- Dinner by the boardwalk

What we actually ended up doing:

We talked to a few taxi drivers to get an idea of how much it would cost to visit the places we had planned. As expected, it was a bit pricey (St. Lawrence Gap is a tourist area after all), but lucky for us, we had a friend willing to drive us around when he could. And he just happened to be free today to show us around Bridgetown!

Exploring Bridgetown with the help of a local was a lifesaver, as our plan to self-guide using the GPSmyCity app would have left us spinning in circles. But having the app gave us context and history of the island, making the experience even better.

Tip #4: AI doesn't take into account the weather or the timing of activities, so plan accordingly! It wasn’t ideal to plan our walking tour around Bridgetown during the heat of the day - no thanks, AI.

We originally planned to spend the entire day exploring the city, but the heat got the best of us, and we had to cut our visit short.

But that just left us with more time to enjoy dinner at Happy Days bar in St. Lawrence Gap. And let's just say our first taste of Barbados' famous rum punch got us dancing the night away to a band of two as they sang through ABBA’s back catalog!

Tip #5: Transportation is key! AI may suggest places far away from each other, so make sure to group locations together for easier travel.

What AI suggested for day 2:

- Swim with the horses in the morning
- Head to the wildlife reserve in the afternoon
- Fine dining on Lawrence Gap

What we actually ended up doing:

Unfortunately, we overslept and missed our chance to swim with the horses. On top of that, I realized that traveling to the wildlife reserve would have been a hassle as it was located on the opposite end of the island. So, I filled the gap by moving our visit to the George Washington Museum from tomorrow’s itinerary.

It was also the perfect opportunity to try out the public transportation - "z" taxis, as they're called, to get me there.

On the way, I had a bit of a mix-up with the bus conductor about change. He had a strong accent and it was hard for us to understand each other, but thankfully with the help of Google Maps and a kind stranger, I made it to my destination.

The George Washington house is a fantastic visit if you love history, or like to think about what it was like living in the past. Although it was restored many years ago, it still looked immaculate and authentic, complete with little trinkets.

As I was leaving, I noticed that the National Museum was also close by, and I decided to check it out too. This is a site that AI didn’t include in my itinerary, even though it was so close. The museum showcased all aspects of Barbadian life, from the flora and fauna to the history of Barbadian culture and, of course, priceless art. There was even an interactive science room for kids (and kids at heart).

I got so wrapped up in the museum that I lost track of time, and before I knew it, it was closed - and I was locked in. Not wanting to have my own night in the museum experience (and also being hungry), I tried calling out multiple times, but there was no one around to let me out. After a few attempts to open the medieval gates, I finally noticed a smaller gate within the larger one, and it opened up to FREEDOM!

Afterward, tired and hungry, I wandered through Garris Square, hopped into a z-taxi and headed to Chefettes (Barbados' more flavourful KFC)–the fine dining would have to wait another day."

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Got a burning travel question, or an idea for an article you’d like to see in The Detour? Let us know below :-)

I've got an idea! 🌴

It’s time to don your chaps and mount your steed (preferably one with 4-wheel drive) as this week, we’re road trippin’ mighty Arizona.

We’re kick-starting this cowboy crusade down south on the dusty trails of Saguaro National Park. Even your wildest wild-west fantasy doesn’t have a patch on this place.

Let us set the scene: Picture burnt orange ground, scorched tumbleweed and some seriously super-sized saguaro cacti.

Fancy learning the cowboy ropes, or rather, lasso? Just spend a week at a local dude ranch, where wranglers will teach you the tricks of the trade. Or if team-building cattle herding isn’t quite your idea of fun, swing by the ex-western film set at Tucson Studios instead. Now, unsurprisingly, converted into a theme park.

Next, we’re making a pit stop in the most populous state capital of em all, Phoenix. The city’s superb museum scene is often overlooked, but we’d recommend visiting at least one. Preferably the Heard Museum, which offers a fascinating opportunity to learn about the rich American Indian culture through art.

For any extraterrestrial fans in the house, head a little further up to Flagstaff, and you may just discover some pretty undeniable unearthly evidence…AKA one whopping great meteor creator.

And from one vast, empty space to another. Yup, it’s time for the big one—the Grand Canyon. Of course, being one of the 7 natural wonders of the world, we’re sure it’ll be memorable. Buuuut, just in case it’s not, a helicopter bungee tends to do the trick—thanks for testing that one out, Will.

From here on out, it’s epic rock formations all the way. Continuing, with everyone’s favourite Windows screensaver, Antelope Canyon. Despite being a 10-minute drive from the northern city of Page, these beautifully eroded channels are actually located on private land belonging to the Navajo Tribe.

Joining an organised tour is your only way of visiting, but on the plus side, at least you’ll have a local expert to point out all the best viewing spots. FYI, book for midday if you wanna catch those magical sunbeams.

Finally, for our monumental ending (bet you can’t guess where this is going) we’re going as far north as you can go, Monument Valley! Well, technically it’s half Utah’s, but since these iconic buttes are all AZ side, we’ll take it. And, ultimately, it’s still Navajo Nation. Although unlike Antelope, this one is 100% free, which we think…kinda rocks :-D

All the important (or silly, or strange) travel news from across the web this week.

• We never thought we’d see the day, but Gaudi’s Sagrada Família in Barcelona is finally finished. Well… nearly.
• London’s Heathrow Airport has begun trialling airport security timeslots. Passengers on certain airlines can now book their spot in line ahead of time, which will hopefully lead to decreased waiting times and a smoother experience for all.
• Want to holiday like a local? Whether you’d rather hit the Glühwein or the ski slopes this winter, these lesser-known European destinations will help you escape the crowds.
• And finally, space tourism is going to the next level, with the first space hotel set to open in 2025. Orbital Assembly say they’ll offer a cosmic experience with all the comforts of a 5-star hotel, as well as simulated gravity to stop us floating away while we’re on the loo. But let’s face it—even if it does come to fruition, you just know those prices will be… astronomical.