Is ChatGPT Your New Travel Agent?

by Robert McGarvey

My personal experience with travel agents has been little and miserable.  A classic example — booked by a large publisher’s outside travel agency – was a room in a far off Strip hotel when I was going to Las Vegas for an event in the convention center which admittedly is not on the Strip but is nearby.  The hotel was 10 miles from the Strip and as I pointed out the cost savings in room nights would be obliterated by the taxi fares.  I was booked into the Strip hotel I’d wanted in the first place.

Just about every time a travel agent has been involved in my travels something was wrong.  I admit that is unquestionably a deviant history.  But it sets me up as keenly curious about ChatGPT’s argument that travel is an ideal use case for AI.  The initial proof of concept is an Ireland trip planner that, said ChatGPT,  “will showcase how bespoke travel recommendations can make Dublin’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant city life more accessible to visitors. This prototype has been designed to show the potential of generative AI to support unique, bespoke experiences for visitors instead of generic to-do lists.”

In a first take the Irish Times curled its lip in distaste: “The itinerary – produced by the chatbot on Wednesday when The Irish Times asked for travel advice – is not entirely imaginative or necessarily appealing to locals. But it is a programme that will resonate with the millions of people who visit the city from overseas each year searching for the craic and stout costing the guts of a tenner for a pint.”

ChatGPT’s Dublin IRA

My experiments with ChatGPT are a bit more encouraging.  For instance, I asked ChatGPT to give me a three day itinerary for exploring the history of the Irish Republican Army in Dublin.  It came up with this:

Day 1: General Overview of Irish Independence

Morning:

• GPO Witness History Museum:
  • Start your day with a visit to the General Post Office (GPO) Witness History Museum. The GPO played a significant role in the Easter Rising of 1916, a key event in Irish history.

Afternoon:

2. Kilmainham Gaol:

• Explore Kilmainham Gaol, where many leaders of the 1916 Rising were imprisoned and executed. The guided tour provides insights into Ireland’s struggle for independence.
• Collins Barracks:
  • Visit the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History at Collins Barracks. This museum covers a wide range of Irish history, including the War of Independence and the Civil War.

Day 2: The War of Independence

Morning:

• Dublin Castle:
  • Start at Dublin Castle, which played a role in both the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations and the establishment of the Irish Free State. [Note: Dublin Castle was the seat of British power until Irish independence.}

Afternoon:

2. War Memorial Gardens:

• Visit the Irish National War Memorial Gardens, dedicated to the memory of Irish soldiers who died in World War I. This provides context for the complex relationships during the War of Independence.
• Custom House:
  • Walk along the River Liffey to the Custom House, a symbol of British authority that was targeted during the War of Independence.

Day 3: The Troubles and Contemporary Ireland

Morning:

• Dublin City Hall:
  • Explore Dublin City Hall, which features an exhibition on the history of Dublin, including the impact of the Troubles.

Afternoon:

2. Arbour Hill Cemetery:

• Visit Arbour Hill Cemetery, the burial place of many leaders of the 1916 Rising. It includes a memorial to those who died in the struggle for Irish independence.
• National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology:
  • Conclude your trip with a visit to the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology, which covers Ireland’s history from prehistoric times to the present day.

McGarvey’s Dublin Additions

As it happens I have been to the GPO, Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, the Custom House and I should visit Arbor Hill Cemetery and Collins Barracks. My verdict: I find the ChatGPT itinerary a decent start and if a tourist did only the ChatGPT itinerary it wouldn’t be a bad three days.

I would make them better however. To the itinerary I would add Croke Park, where the British Army murdered 30 people at a Gaelic football match in 1920, the first Bloody Sunday. Glasnevin Cemetery  belongs on the list too.  

I would also stop at the spot where Nelson’s Pillar once stood until a 1966 IRA bomb blew it up. This is central Dublin (O’Connell Street). The Spire of Dublin now occupies that space.

This being Dublin I also would visit a few pubs frequented by the legendary Michael Collins – definitely Davy Byrnes which also ticks an important Ulysses box.  Besides, a tourist has to eat and drink so go for pubs with important history or literary connections.

Gemini’s Counter-Offensive

No assessment of AI is complete without a look at Google’s Gemini (nee Bard).

Here is its pass:

“Dublin boasts a rich and complex history, and the Irish Republican Army (IRA) played a significant role in shaping the city’s landscape. This 3-day itinerary delves into the key events and locations associated with the IRA, offering a deeper understanding of Ireland’s fight for independence.

Day 1: Setting the Stage

• Morning: Start your day at the National Museum of Ireland – Collins Barracks ( ). This impressive building houses a vast collection of artifacts related to Irish history, including a dedicated section to the Easter Rising and the IRA.Opens in a new windowwww.museum.ieNational Museum of Ireland Collins Barracks Dublin
• Afternoon: Take a guided walking tour focused on the 1916 Easter Rising. These tours, offered by companies like Dublin Historical Walking Tours ( ), bring history to life as you walk past iconic landmarks like the GPO (General Post Office) ( ) and Kilmainham Gaol ( ), both of which played crucial roles in the rebellion.Opens in a new windowchevron_rightwanderyourway.comDublin Historical Walking Tours
• Evening: Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner at The Brazen Head ( ), a historic pub established in 1754. This pub is rumored to have been a meeting point for IRA members throughout history.Opens in a new windowen.wikipedia.orgBrazen Head Dublin

Day 2: Kilmainham Gaol and Beyond

• Morning: Dedicate the morning to a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol. This former prison played a pivotal role in the aftermath of the Easter Rising, where many leaders were imprisoned and executed. The tour offers a chilling yet poignant look into this significant location.
• Afternoon: Head to the National Library of Ireland ( ) to delve deeper into the history of the IRA. The library archives house a wealth of primary sources, including newspapers, pamphlets, and documents related to the organization.Opens in a new windowwww.nli.ieNational Library of Ireland Dublin
• Evening: Catch a performance at the Abbey Theatre ( ). Founded by W.B. Yeats and Lady Gregory, the Abbey Theatre has a long history of staging plays that explore Irish history and identity, including themes related to the IRA.Opens in a new windowwww.abbeytheatre.ieAbbey Theatre Dublin

Day 3: Reflecting on the Legacy

• Morning: Visit the Glasnevin Cemetery Museum ( ). This cemetery is the final resting place for many prominent Irish figures, including several IRA leaders. The museum offers guided tours that explore the complex history of Irish nationalism and the role of the IRA.Opens in a new windowwww.atlasobscura.comGlasnevin Cemetery Museum Dublin
• Afternoon: Spend some time at the Irish National War Memorial Gardens located at Islandbridge. This peaceful park commemorates Irish soldiers who died in various wars, including the fight for independence.
• Evening: For your final dinner, head to The Winding Stair ( ), a pub located in Dublin Castle. This historic pub offers a warm atmosphere to reflect on your exploration of Dublin’s IRA history and enjoy some live traditional music.Opens in a new windowwww.cntraveler.comWinding Stair Dublin

Additional Tips:

• Consider purchasing a Dublin Pass to save on entrance fees to many of the attractions mentioned in this itinerary.
• For a deeper understanding of the IRA’s motivations and actions, it’s helpful to research the historical context of Ireland’s fight for independence before your trip.
• If you’re interested in a more comprehensive experience, consider extending your stay in Dublin to explore other historical sites and museums.

This itinerary provides a starting point for your exploration of Dublin’s IRA history. Remember, history is a complex subject, and there are multiple perspectives on the IRA’s legacy. Embrace the opportunity to learn, reflect, and form your own conclusions.”

Gemini Wins the Jar of Jameson

Note: Gemini includes Glasnevin and my suggested pub crawl. It also, rather smartly, tossed in the Abbey Theater, a place I always go to when I visit Ireland.

For my money (although I’m using free versions of both), Gemini’s is the tour I’d recommend

Personally I plan to make extensive use of ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini (nee Bard) in planning a long stay in Madrid and now I am also going to use it to plan my monthly visits to camp grounds, particularly in identifying the best hiking trails.

Give AI a try on your next trip. You just may like what you get.