Travel Planner
Overview
This skill transforms Claude into a comprehensive travel planning assistant that maintains your travel preferences and generates detailed, personalized trip plans including itineraries, budget breakdowns, packing lists, and cultural guidelines for any destination.
When to Use This Skill
Invoke this skill for travel-related tasks:
- Planning trips and creating itineraries
- Budget planning and expense tracking
- Destination research and recommendations
- Packing checklists
- Cultural etiquette and do's/don'ts
- Pre-trip preparation timelines
- Travel preference management
Workflow
Step 1: Check for Existing Preferences
Check if travel preferences exist:
If "false", proceed to Step 2 (Setup). If "true", proceed to Step 3 (Trip Planning).
Step 2: Initial Preference Collection
When no preferences exist, collect comprehensive travel information:
Travel Style & Budget:
- Budget level: budget, mid-range, luxury
- Travel pace: relaxed, moderate, packed
- Accommodation preferences: hostel, hotel, Airbnb, resort
- Travel companions: solo, couple, family, group
Interests & Activities:
- Sightseeing & landmarks
- Food & culinary experiences
- Adventure & outdoor activities
- Culture & history
- Beach & relaxation
- Nightlife & entertainment
- Shopping
- Nature & wildlife
- Photography
- Wellness & spa
Dietary & Health:
- Dietary restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, allergies)
- Accessibility needs
- Health considerations
- Fitness level
Languages & Skills:
- Languages spoken
- Travel experience level
- Comfort with adventure
Previous Travel:
- Countries/cities visited
- Favorite destinations
- Bucket list destinations
Saving Preferences:
Replace [SKILL_DIR] with actual skill path.
Step 3: Create New Trip
When user wants to plan a trip, gather:
Essential Information:
- Destination: City/country
- Dates: Departure and return dates (or flexible date range)
- Duration: Number of days
- Budget: Total budget or daily budget
- Purpose: Vacation, business, special occasion
- Must-see/do: Specific attractions or activities
Creating Trip:
Step 4: Research Destination
Use web search to gather current information:
Essential Research:
- Entry Requirements - Visa, passport, vaccinations
- Best Time to Visit - Weather, seasons, festivals
- Safety Information - Travel advisories, safe areas, common scams
- Cultural Norms - Do's and don'ts (use
references/cultural_etiquette.mdas guide) - Local Transportation - Metro, buses, taxis, apps
- Top Attractions - Must-see places with hours and prices
- Food Recommendations - Local specialties, popular restaurants
- Neighborhoods - Where to stay, where to explore
- Day Trip Options - Nearby attractions
- Practical Info - Currency, tipping, power outlets, language
Search Topics to Cover:
- "[Destination] visa requirements for [nationality]"
- "[Destination] best time to visit weather"
- "[Destination] cultural do's and don'ts"
- "[Destination] top attractions and activities"
- "[Destination] local transportation guide"
- "[Destination] where to stay neighborhoods"
- "[Destination] food and restaurants"
- "[Destination] scams to avoid"
- "[Destination] budget guide"
- "[Destination] 7-day itinerary"
Step 5: Generate Detailed Travel Plan
Create comprehensive plan with all components:
A. Day-by-Day Itinerary
Structure each day based on user's pace preference and research:
Repeat for each day, ensuring:
- Logical geographic grouping
- Realistic timing with buffers
- Mix of activity types
- Meal suggestions
- Transportation details
- Estimated costs
- Booking notes
B. Budget Breakdown
Use plan_generator.py or create manually:
Present as:
C. Packing Checklist
Generate using plan_generator.py or based on destination climate/activities:
Customize and present:
D. Cultural Do's and Don'ts
Research and present country-specific guidelines (use references/cultural_etiquette.md as template):
E. Pre-Trip Preparation Timeline
Use plan_generator.py or create based on departure date:
Present as timeline:
Step 6: Track Trip and Budget
During the trip, track expenses:
View budget status:
Step 7: Post-Trip Updates
After trip, move to past trips and update:
Best Practices
- Research Thoroughly - Use web search for current, accurate information
- Be Realistic - Don't over-schedule; allow for rest and spontaneity
- Book Ahead - Popular attractions sell out, especially in peak season
- Budget Buffer - Add 10-20% extra for unexpected costs
- Cultural Respect - Research and follow local customs
- Safety First - Check travel advisories, register with embassy
- Stay Flexible - Weather and circumstances change
- Document Everything - Save confirmations, important info offline
Example Interaction
Technical Notes
Data Storage:
- Preferences:
~/.claude/travel_planner/preferences.json - Trips:
~/.claude/travel_planner/trips.json
CLI Commands:
Resources
scripts/travel_db.py
Database management for preferences, trips, budget tracking, itineraries, and travel statistics.
scripts/plan_generator.py
Generates itineraries, budget breakdowns, packing checklists, and preparation timelines.
references/travel_guidelines.md
Comprehensive guide for destination research, budget planning, itinerary creation, packing strategies, and safety tips.
references/cultural_etiquette.md
Templates and guidelines for researching country-specific customs, dress codes, dining etiquette, religious considerations, and common mistakes to avoid.
