Hi Reader,
Last week, I shared why shoulder season can make a trip feel calmer, more comfortable, and more enjoyable.
But once you choose when to travel, there is another important question:
Where are you getting your travel information?
AI can build an itinerary, suggest attractions, or summarize a destination in seconds. I understand why that is appealing.
Personally, I do not use AI to research my own trips because I genuinely enjoy the research process. Give me an official attraction website and a historical rabbit hole, and I am happy.
But AI can be useful as a starting point.
The important thing is remembering that it can also be wrong.
It may rely on outdated information, misunderstand a question, or confidently provide details that are no longer accurate.
That matters when researching things such as:
- European entry requirements like EES and ETIAS
- Attraction hours and seasonal closures
- Train schedules and transportation
- Ticket and reservation requirements
- Local events and holidays
Nerd Alert: A confident answer is not necessarily a correct answer.
When I research travel, I usually use Google to find the appropriate source and then verify important details through an official attraction, government, or transportation website.
For anything that could affect whether you enter a country, catch a train, or visit an important site, always confirm the information before you go.
For travelers who want to use AI but also want some firsthand travel context, I created The Confident Traveler.
It is designed to help you organize your ideas, ask better questions, and think through your trip with guidance shaped by real travel experience and plenty of lessons learned along the way.
And if Europe is on your fall or winter travel calendar, there is a timely free event coming up.
Michelle and Jed Chang of Intentional Traveler are hosting a free DIY Europe Fall & Winter Update on August 11, 2026.
They and their guest travel experts will be talking about EES and ETIAS updates, seasonal travel tips, and events that could affect your plans.
Register for the free DIY Europe Fall & Winter Update
I may earn a commission if you later choose to purchase an optional upgrade through my affiliate link, at no additional cost to you.
AI can make travel research faster. Just make sure you keep your curiosity, judgment, and official sources involved too.
Keep nerding out on the world,
Audra
The Nerd Traveler
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Here are my personal recommendations to help with booking trips:
1) Airline mistake fares and deals, I have Going.com Premium. I can enter my preferred airports and even favorite destinations and receive alerts via email or via the Going.com app when there is a sale on those flights.
They even track when airline points are good options.
2) When I want to learn about a new city without spending too much money, I utilize Guru Walks. These are walking tours in cities all around the world for FREE!
Please do budget some money (in local currency) for tips, though!
3) When I prefer more of a paid guided tour experience, I book those on Get Your Guide and Viator.
4) I always always protect my trip with Travel Safe travel insurance. They help cover any costs incurred with delays, cancellations, lost/stolen luggage, or getting sick or injured while traveling. Click here to see options and to get a quote.
Unless you have quite a few pre-trip expenses (deposits, tickets purchased in advance, etc.), you will likely not need Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.
5) I created an AI Assistant to help you with your trip planning. It includes lessons learned along the way, tips and tricks across my 30+ years of international and domestic travel. It also has two fillable workbooks to help you stay organized.
Click here for more details and to claim $10 off for the summer!
I use my Capital One Venture X when traveling for the miles and no foreign transaction fees (it was the least expensive way to spend 50 Euros on my recent trip!)
6) I have used Welcome Pickups for my airport transport upon arrival and departure. It is comforting to know someone will be there to give me a ride from/to the airport so that I don't have to try to navigate the taxi area and anyone who may try to scam or overcharge me. And they are locals who can give you great information about your destination.
7) Lastly, I always recommend booking hotel rooms directly with the hotel company. Be careful to not use 3rd party booking sites - Expedia, Booking, Trivago, Kayak. If something happens and you are delayed, you will get stuck in a phone tree/bot nightmare trying to get any issues or delays sorted out.
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