AI Planned My London Trip It Was Wild
As a frequent visitor to London, I've checked off most of the big tourist attractions and even many of the city's hidden gems. I've relied on guidebooks and friends' advice, but I'd never turned to an AI chatbot for recommendations.
Curious about what they'd suggest, I tasked both ChatGPT and Gemini with planning a "perfect day" for me in London. I expected some generic ideas but was hoping for a few surprises that didn't involve a trip to Madame Tussauds.
A Solid, If Predictable, Morning
Each AI offered its own spin on an ideal day, but they surprisingly agreed on a few points. Both suggested starting the day with breakfast at a café in Covent Garden, with ChatGPT adding the nice touch of watching talented buskers while sipping coffee.
Another shared recommendation was a classic tourist stop: the Churchill War Rooms. While seeing the underground bunker where Churchill's cabinet operated during WWII is undoubtedly fascinating, I'd consider it a second or third-day activity, especially on a sunny day. If it's raining, however, the slightly claustrophobic museum is a solid choice.
Post-Lunch Plans Go Off the Rails
I also wouldn't choose to visit an underground museum right before lunch. For the midday meal, ChatGPT pointed me toward Borough Market. The AI got quite descriptive, praising the market's artisanal cheese and organic chorizo wraps—excellent suggestions that likely came from scraping a few food blogs.
This is where the itinerary took a wild turn, as if the AI had a couple of martinis while thinking about my meal. After a delicious and filling lunch, my natural inclination is a leisurely walk or maybe a matinee show. ChatGPT, however, recommended I "take trapeze lessons in Hyde Park."
Even for an adrenaline junkie, flying through the air on a full stomach sounds like a terrible idea. I quickly skipped that and looked at Gemini's more sensible suggestion: "exploring the hidden Japanese Garden in Regent’s Park." A few meditative laps around koi ponds felt much more my speed for the afternoon.
An Afternoon of Contradictions
The next idea was a trip to Highgate Cemetery. While a bit morbid, it was actually quite pleasant. There's something strangely grounding about walking among the mossy headstones of Victorian-era intellectuals, especially when a light drizzle sets the mood.
Afternoon tea was the next item on the agenda. Both AIs pushed for a reservation at Fortnum & Mason. It's a lovely experience, but it's more fun when you have company. When I asked for alternatives, they suggested some charming local tea shops located next to great bookstores, which serve a delicious lemon drizzle cake.
A Logistical Nightmare of an Evening
The AI-designed day continued its chaotic trajectory into the evening with a suggestion to play neon-lit mini-golf in Canary Wharf, immediately followed by a Thames dinner cruise. I have no idea how one is supposed to get from the golf course to the boat in time, let alone from the boat to a West End show. The AIs recommended The Mousetrap, but given London's size and traffic, I'd have no chance of making the curtain call.
The Verdict on AI Trip Planners
The individual ideas from the AI chatbots weren't all bad, but stringing them together into a single day's itinerary is completely unrealistic. It's also revealing that an AI's idea of a "fun day" is exhausting and potentially hazardous.
So, will I be handing my travel planning duties over to an AI anytime soon? Definitely not. I might ask for a specific activity suggestion here and there, but I'll be very clear with my prompts. And I'll be sure to tell it to hold the trapeze.
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