`War and closure of air space is certainly an `extraordinary` circumstance.` Read...

Air New Zealand is ramping up capacity on trans-Tasman and Pacific flights for the peak summer travel season in response to demand and aircraft returning to service. Read...

Baseus is making some absolutely versatile chargers these days. One of its newest models is on sale right now. The Baseus Enercore 3-in-1 wall charger has only just been launched and it’s already down to $50 ahead of Prime Day, which is quite a discount from its $70 MSRP. So what makes this wall plug awesome? Well, it comes with a built-in retractable USB-C cable. Yep, you read that right. This charger has its own cable so you don’t absolutely need one unless you want to charge multiple devices at once. It’s not a short, tiny cable; it’s a decent 2.6-foot-long one, which gives you enough room for movement. It’s called a 3-in-1 charger because, in addition to the built-in cable, it also has two Type-C ports. The Baseus Enercore delivers up to 67W fast charging, which is impressive because your phone will be back in working order in no time. Of course, it also works with other devices, including tablets and USB-C laptops. The retractable cable makes this charger perfect for travel. There’s also foldable pins so they don’t get bent by all the heavy stuff you’ll be carrying. So snag this new Baseus 3-in-1 charger with a retractable cable for $50 while this deal lasts. Save $20 on a freshly launched triple chargerBuy now at Amazon Read...

TL;DR: Score a compact, travel-ready touchscreen Chromebook for just $79.99 (reg. $284.99) with free shipping. It’s perfect as a backup, second device, or portable sidekick. You probably don’t want to bring your $1,000 laptop on a plane just to stream Netflix or answer emails at 38,000 feet. That’s where the Lenovo 300E 11.6? Touchscreen Chromebook comes in—compact, lightweight, and surprisingly capable for just $79.99 (reg. $284.99). Whether you’re looking for a reliable backup, a travel companion, or a laptop for casual use, this refurbished Chromebook covers all the basics. It has 4GB of RAM, a 32GB SSD, and a zippy Intel N3450 quad-core processor. This is a Chromebook that doesn’t try to be everything—it’s a reliable, basic laptop that just does the things you need, well. Think checking emails, writing docs, watching videos, joining video calls, or making sure your kid gets through remote learning without hijacking your work laptop. Even better? It ships free and won’t wreck your budget. That makes it perfect for tossing in your carry-on or using as a backup at home. Get one of these refurbished Lenovo 300E 11.6? Touchscreen Chromebooks for just $79.99 (reg. $284.99) plus free shipping for a limited time. Lenovo 300E 11.6? Touchscreen Chromebook (2018) 4GB RAM 32GB Storage (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

TL;DR: If you need a reliable computer for casual work, school, or travel, get an ASUS Chromebook CM30 while they’re only $180. Finding the right device for casual work, travel, or everyday browsing doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. If you’re looking for a lightweight, affordable laptop that doubles as a tablet, the ASUS Chromebook CM30 is a smart, flexible option for only $179.99 (reg. $329.99). This 2-in-1 Chromebook has a sharp 10.5-inch WUXGA touchscreen and includes a garaged push-pop stylus that fast-charges while stored, so it’s always ready when you are. With 8GB of RAM and 128GB of eMMC storage, it’s built for cloud-based apps, multitasking, and all your day-to-day needs. The MediaTek Kompanio 520 processor keeps things smooth whether you’re working, streaming, or browsing. Its detachable keyboard and magnetic stand make it easy to switch between laptop and tablet modes, and the lightweight chassis is made from 30% recycled aluminum, so it’s both portable and sustainable. You’ll also get up to 12 hours of battery life, dual 5MP cameras, and support for Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3, giving you the tools to stay connected anywhere. This is an open box item, meaning it’s been verified to be in brand-new condition after being returned to the warehouse. It comes with a full one-year warranty, and the packaging might show minor signs of handling or store exposure. If you need a Chromebook that’s fast, compact, and versatile without the full retail price, this is a solid option for $179.99. ASUS Chromebook CM30 (2024) Detachable Touchscreen 8GB RAM 128GB eMMC (Open Box)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

Taking a laptop with you when you travel means you have the convenience of your work or entertainment with you wherever you go. But there’s no doubt that having such an expensive and important device with you can also be a logistical and security challenge. So, here are some tips to help keep you and your laptop safe. 1. Use a VPN and antivirus software Using public Wi-Fi is a necessity for most people travelling with a laptop, unless you have an LTE connection, that is. Unfortunately connecting to public Wi-Fi can compromise your laptop security. These networks are often unsecure, without password protection or encryption, and many have been compromised with malware that malicious actors can use to steal information or passwords. Information breaches via public Wi-Fi happen more often than you might think. A Forbes Advisor survey of 2,000 working Americans that used public Wi-Fi found that four out of every 10 had their information breached while on public Wi-Fi. The survey also found that the most common places that breaches occurred were cafés, airports, and hotels. That’s why you should always use a virtual private network (VPN) and have an antivirus program running when on public Wi-Fi. A VPN acts as an intermediary that encrypts the data you send between your device and the public router, making it a lot harder for cybercriminals to steal your data. If you have to download any files, a good antivirus program can detect and stop malware before it can damage your PC. Pexels: Kevin Paster 2. Have tracker software loaded Tracking software can often be your best bet for getting your laptop back if it goes missing on a trip. Find My Device is one utility that you can use to track a lost laptop. If you have Windows 10 or 11 and a Microsoft account, you have access to this feature and can turn it on in your Microsoft settings. As well as basic tracking of your lost device, it lets you lock your laptop and reset the passwords on it remotely to prevent others from accessing your personal data. The catch is, your Microsoft account has to be an administrator account; you need to have location settings enabled; and the laptop has to be connected to the internet for these features to work. Some savvy travelers prefer to use more sophisticated tracking software than Find My Device. One example is Absolute’s Home and Office software. It gets integrated into the laptop’s BIOS once installed, so even if your laptop’s operating system is changed or the storage drive is replaced, you can still track it down. Chris Hoffman / IDG 3. Label it for easier recovery It may seem like an obvious nugget of advice but having a label on your laptop that specifies your name, phone number, and either your residential or work address can be the one thing that gets you your laptop back when it’s found. The people who found it need to know who it belongs to. Add a sticker on your laptop’s underside as a discrete identification tag. You can buy writable and printable adhesive tags on Amazon for just a few dollars. Otherwise, slip a note into your laptop bag as a less intrusive identification method. You should also record your laptop’s make and model and serial number before you go, in the event it is found, and you need to make a report about it. Also jot down any other distinguishing features that will help you describe your laptop’s appearance, like its color, or any stickers on the chassis. Pexels: Brett Sayles 4. Apply common sense protection strategies The number one protection strategy you can apply is to always keep your laptop in your line of sight wherever you go. But if you do need to travel light and leave it in your hotel when you go out, be sure to store it in your room security safe or have the hotel staff store it in a secure place if you don’t have a safe in your room. Travel insurance is also a must when traveling with a laptop. The right kind of insurance will cover you for the complete cost of the device in the event it’s lost or stolen. If your laptop has a Kensington lock port, you should use a Kensington lock to prevent grab and run theft. Otherwise, buy a cable lock before you go that will work with your laptop’s ports. When it comes to physical protection against damage, ensure your laptop bag is either a hard case or has sufficient padding to protect it in the event it is dropped. Buying a bag made from waterproof material is also a sensible idea. As a rule, you don’t want to leave your laptop in the overhead compartment of an airplane where it can be squashed or battered by other luggage. Instead, keep it with you in your seat. If your laptop bag is deemed to be checkpoint friendly, that can prevent you having to remove it from your bag every time you go through airport security. Pexels: Markus Winkler 5. Bring your own safe laptop accessories Always bring a universal travel adapter and a wall charger to use with your laptop when you travel. The universal travel adapter should have the correct plug shapes for the country or countries you are visiting, if you intend on travelling overseas. The adapter should also support a voltage range of between 100 to 240V. Make sure you have surge protection too, either built into your adapter or as a standalone accessory, because you can never rely on unfamiliar electrical outlets. Unexpected power surges can and will fry your laptop’s circuitry. The reason you want to bring a wall charger and always plug it into a wall socket is so you can avoid using public USB chargers, which are used by hackers for Juice Jacking. This is another cyber-theft tactic used by cybercriminals, whereby they load malware onto public USB ports to infect and maliciously access user devices. If you do ever have to use a public USB port, be sure to use charge-only cables with data blocking functionality. These cables deliver power but prevent any data (and therefore any malicious files) from being downloaded to your computer. Pexels: ready made Related content Best laptops: Our experts pick the top 11 models 23 travel gadgets you need for your next trip How to find lost gadgets (and avoid losing them) Read...

At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros A repairable and customizable 2-in-1 laptop Swappable ports Reasonable performance for its class A microphone shutoff switch! Cons Battery life is on the lower side Not quite a budget price No keyboard backlight No biometrics for Windows Hello Our Verdict The Framework Laptop 12 delivers a capable 2-in-1 laptop with extreme customizability and repairability. However, battery life is a little on the low side due to the previous-generation CPU. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today The Framework Laptop 12 is something of a rare breed: a compact 2-in-1 convertible that you don’t just use, you build. It brings Framework’s vision of a do-it-yourself laptop experience to a machine that’s both less expensive and more flexible than Framework’s other laptops — literally, thanks to its 360-degree hinge, touchscreen, and stylus. Framework originally designed this laptop with students in mind, but the company says, “every adult who tried it wanted one too” during the prototyping process. As Framework’s first 2-in-1 machine, the Framework Laptop 12 is largely a success! Like all of Framework’s laptops, you may pay more for this type of do-it-yourself experience. But if you’re the kind of person who likes to build and customize your own PC, Framework is hugely interesting in the laptop space. Framework Laptop 12: Specs IDG / Chris Hoffman The Framework Laptop 12 is available in two different editions: A pre-built edition that comes ready to use with Windows installed and a DIY Edition that lets you build the machine yourself. Framework loaned us a DIY Edition for this review, and I put it together myself. It’s an incredibly simple process that just takes a few minutes. Installing Windows (and the drivers the machine requires) takes longer than building this laptop. Assembling the hardware is the easy part! The Framework Laptop 12 has a variety of different hardware configurations. The DIY Edition starts at $549, but you’ll need to bring your own storage, RAM, power adapter, and operating system — and the ports are extra, too. Still, you could get the base hardware with four USB ports for $593 and bring everything else yourself. The pre-assembled machine comes with Windows already installed and costs $799, which isn’t quite a “budget-priced” 2-in-1 but is arguably at the lower end of a mid-range one. It’s also worth noting that the base model comes with an Intel Core i3-1315U processor with a total of six cores — two performance cores and four efficiency cores. A step up to an Intel Core i5-1334U processor with a total of ten cores — two performance cores and eight efficiency cores — costs another $150. Both are based on Intel’s 13th-generation Raptor Lake architecture, which means they don’t have neural processing units for AI tasks or the kind of battery life improvements we saw in Intel’s Lunar Lake or even Meteor Lake chips. CPU: Intel Core i5-1334U Memory: 16GB DDR5 RAM Graphics/GPU: Intel UHD Graphics NPU: None Display: 12.2-inch 1920×1200 IPS display with 60Hz refresh rate, touch screen, and stylus support Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD Webcam: 1080p 2MP camera Connectivity: Up to four swappable ports of your choice – USB-C (USB 3.2 Gen 2), USB-A, HDMI 2.0b, Ethernet, DisplayPort, microSD reader, and SD card reader Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3 Biometrics: None Battery capacity: 50 Watt-hours Dimensions: 11.29 x 8.42 x 0.72 inches Weight: 2.86 pounds MSRP: $1,176 as tested If you want a modular, repairable, customizable 2-in-1 laptop, there’s no other machine like this on the market. This is your dream machine.” Framework Laptop 12: Design and build quality IDG / Chris Hoffman Framework offers the Framework Laptop 12 in a variety of two-tone color schemes: Black, Gray, Lavender, Bubblegum, and Sage. Our review unit came in the two-tone Gray color, but the colorful variants look particularly striking. True to Framework’s DIY ethos, the Laptop 12 is easy to build and exhibits solid build quality. You lift the screen up like you’re opening a normal laptop and discover a plastic tray where the keyboard would be, with the laptop’s internals right below it. You’ll just remove the piece of plastic and insert the storage and RAM. There are no screws to deal with on the inside. The storage and RAM just snap into place. You then place the keyboard tray into position, where it snaps in magnetically. IDG / Chris Hoffman Finally, it’s just a matter of closing the laptop, flipping it over, and tightening a few screws on the bottom with an included screwdriver. The ports themselves are easy to install and swap as needed — they’re little blocks that plug right into USB-C ports set into the bottom of the laptop. Assembly was easier than with the last Framework laptop I put together: There was no fiddly cable connection of the touchpad to the motherboard, for example, as on the Framework Laptop 13 I reviewed in 2024. It’s just a quick magnetic snap into place and then tightening a few screws. And opening the laptop up is just as easy — whether you’re starting with a DIY edition or getting a prebuild edition. The weight of the laptop means that I can’t quite open the lid of the laptop with a single hand, but the 360-degree hinge feels great otherwise. The choice of the material on this laptop is very unusual for a laptop: Framework calls it a “chassis made of overmolded shock-absorbing TPU over plastic with an inner metal structure.” Rather than smooth plastic or metal, like many laptops, the chassis and keyboard tray have more of a matte plastic feel. Framework says it’s hard to break, but I didn’t subject it to any drop tests during the review process! It does seem to pick up fingerprints quite a bit, as you can see in some of the photos I took. IDG / Chris Hoffman While this is a DIY build-and-customize-your-own-laptop experience, once the keyboard is popped on magnetically and the screws are tightened, everything feels like a normal laptop. Even the ports have locking switches so they won’t pop out. At 2.86 pounds, it’s not unusually heavy for a 2-in-1 machine, although it may be a tad on the heavier side. Framework Laptop 12: Keyboard, trackpad, and stylus IDG / Chris Hoffman The Framework Laptop 12’s full-size keyboard feels pretty good. With 1.5mm of key travel, the action feels responsive. It’s a solid chiclet-style laptop keyboard with good feedback. I could type quickly on it, and it’s also pleasantly quiet — a bonus for classroom or library environments. Unfortunately, the keyboard has no backlight. This is, of course, an extremely helpful feature in dark or dim lighting. If you can reliably touch type or just plan on using the laptop in good lighting, it’s not a concern. You’ll have to decide whether you need a laptop with a backlit keyboard, but I would’ve liked to see one — at least as an option. If you’re a Linux user, you’ll appreciate that the “Windows key” on the keyboard doesn’t have a Windows logo. It functions as a Windows key in Windows, but it has the Framework gear logo on it. Also, unlike most modern PC laptops, there’s no Copilot key on the keyboard here. The trackpad also feels nice and smooth, and the click action feels solid. I like that the click is rather quiet — many laptops have loud, clicky sounds, while this feels like something you could use in a classroom or library without bothering other people. IDG / Chris Hoffman Framework didn’t have the swanky Framework Laptop 12 Stylus ready for us at review time — Framework says they’ll release it later in 2025 — but they did provide a MPP 2.0-compatible stylus to test the system out. Both the stylus input and the touch screen worked well. Framework Laptop 12: Display and speakers IDG / Chris Hoffman The Framework Laptop 12 has a 12.2-inch 1920×1200 IPS display. Its 60Hz refresh rate could be higher for a smoother picture, but it’s brighter than the average budget laptop display with over 400 nits of brightness. The display looks good and sharp — that’s a solid resolution for a 12.2-inch display, and it’s more brightness than a budget laptop’s display would offer. However, this being a 2-in-1 laptop with a touch screen and stylus support, the surface of the screen is rather glossy. That’s a given, and the reasonable amount of brightness helps. However, glossy displays produce more reflections in direct sunlight and other bright areas, so a glossy display isn’t the right fit for everyone. The Framework 12’s speakers are decent. They’re nowhere near as loud as some other laptop speakers I’ve used, however. Playing Steely Dan’s Aja on Spotify, the audio was clean and clear, but didn’t have the kind of crisp and bright instrument separation you hear on a higher-end pair of headphones. Playing Daft Punk’s Get Lucky to test something modern with more bass, the audio was clear, and there was no distortion, but there wasn’t a lot of bass — and the audio wasn’t quite as punchy as it might be on a laptop with higher-end speakers. These are fine speakers with no problems, but you’ll want a good pair of headphones for the best music or video-streaming experience. Framework Laptop 12: Webcam, microphone, biometrics The Framework Laptop 12 has a 1080p 2MP webcam. On paper, that’s fine but not particularly special — although it is a relief to see that this machine has a 1080p webcam instead of a 720p webcam! In the real world, though, the Framework Laptop 12’s webcam looks pretty good — this is more than good enough for video meetings, and it’s a solid entry for the laptop’s price range. The microphone was a little quiet out of the box — in other words, after installing Windows 11 and then installing Framework’s driver package myself — but tweaking the settings in the Realtek Audio Console application improved things. It did a good job of canceling background noise and the audio quality was fine. The Framework Laptop 12 is a rare beast: Above its webcam, you’ll find not just a physical webcam shutter switch but also a physical microphone shutter switch. A physical switch to disconnect the microphone is an important security feature, but it’s extremely rare. Now this is a machine designed with privacy controls in mind. Unfortunately, there are no biometrics for Windows Hello here: You won’t find a fingerprint reader or an IR camera for facial recognition. Framework Laptop 12: Connectivity IDG / Chris Hoffman The Framework Laptop 12 shines when it comes to connectivity — mostly. The base laptop has a combo audio jack on the left side, and that’s it for the base model. Then, there are four places to plug in “ports,” which you can buy from Framework and swap on the fly. That lets you choose which ports you want: USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, Ethernet, microSD card, or SD card. You can also buy “ports” that have storage inside them to expand the laptop’s storage. The machine charges via USB-C, so at least one of those ports must be USB Type-C so that you can plug in a charger. But you can put the USB-C port on either side of the laptop — or on both sides. That said, there’s a limitation under the hood. Functionally speaking, all of those “ports” are blocks that plug into a USB Type-C port — it’s all USB-C under the hood. These ports are all USB 3.2 Gen 2 under the hood, so there’s no faster USB4, Thunderbolt 4, or even HDMI 2.1 here — just HDMI 2.0b. There’s a good chance that’s fine — just be aware. This machine also supports Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The Wi-Fi worked well, but it would’ve been nice to see Wi-Fi 7, of course. Framework is using previous-generation Intel “Raptor Lake” hardware here, and Wi-Fi 7 doesn’t come standard with this Intel hardware. Framework Laptop 12: Performance The Framework Laptop 12 can run either Windows or Linux. I installed Windows 11 Home on this machine myself to benchmark its performance with our standard suite of Windows benchmarking tools. Framework says this machine was designed “to be unusually powerful for its class,” which is why it has a full Core i3 or Core i5 processor rather than a less-expensive, mobile-focused version. In day-to-day desktop use, the Intel Core i5-1334U CPU in this machine handled web browsing in applications like Google Chrome, conversations in workplace tools like Slack, and producing content like this very review in Microsoft Word. The laptop’s keyboard stayed cool and comfortable even when the fan was whirring away and expelling heat from the back of the machine. However, the bottom could get fairly hot under load — that’s the older Raptor Lake hardware in action. As always, though we ran the Framework Laptop 12 through our standard benchmarks to see how it performs. IDG / Chris Hoffman First, we run PCMark 10 to get an idea of overall system performance.  The Framework Laptop 12 delivered an overall score of 5288 in this benchmark — that’s on the low side compared to other modern laptops, which isn’t a surprise as this is a previous-generation chip. IDG / Chris Hoffman Next, we run Cinebench R20. This is a heavily multithreaded benchmark that focuses on overall CPU performance. It’s a quick benchmark, so cooling under extended workloads isn’t a factor. The Intel Core i5-1334U in this machine has fewer cores than the CPUs in the other modern PCs we compared it to, so it’s no surprise that the multithreaded score of 2106 is on the low side. IDG / Chris Hoffman We also run an encode with Handbrake. This is another heavily multithreaded benchmark, but it runs over an extended period. The Framework Laptop 12 completed the encode process in 2648 seconds, which is just over 44 minutes. That’s a long time, and it confirms that this machine isn’t a speed demon — especially at tasks that benefit from a lot of multithreaded CPU performance. IDG / Chris Hoffman Next, we run a graphical benchmark. This isn’t a gaming laptop, but it’s still worth evaluating GPU performance. We run 3DMark Time Spy, a graphical benchmark that focuses on GPU performance. The Framework Laptop 12 produced a score of 1255 in 3DMark Time Spy. That’s very low compared to other modern laptops, which is no surprise — the Intel UHD Graphics here are part of the previous-generation Raptor Lake package here, and integrated GPUs have improved dramatically since then. Overall, the Framework Laptop 12’s benchmark scores didn’t impress compared to other recent laptops with more modern CPUs. It was still plenty capable of producing solid-day-to-day productivity performance, but it will particularly struggle when it comes to CPU-heavy multithreaded workloads and 3D graphics. Obviously, that’s not what this machine is for — but it’d be nice to have better performance, especially for 3D graphics, with a laptop designed for students. Framework Laptop 12: Battery life The Framework Laptop 12 has a 50 Watt-hour battery, which is on the small end for a machine like this one. Additionally, the choice of an Intel Core i3 or Core i5 CPU from the older 13th generation (“Raptor Lake”) keeps the price down and delivers decent performance, but it suggests this machine will be more power-hungry and get lower battery life than a newer machine with Intel’s Lunar Lake hardware — which is, of course, much more expensive. IDG / Chris Hoffman To benchmark the battery life, we play a 4K copy of Tears of Steel on repeat on Windows 11 with airplane mode enabled — and the screen set to 250 nits of brightness — until the laptop suspends itself. This is a best-case scenario for any laptop since local video playback is so efficient, and real battery life in day-to-day use is always going to be less than this. The Framework Laptop 12 lasted for an average of 688 minutes — that’s nearly eleven and a half hours — in our standard benchmark. While that sounds impressive, real-world battery life will always be less than this, and it’s a low number compared to laptops with more modern power-efficient CPUs. CPU manufacturers have made a lot of progress since Intel first released Raptor Lake in 2022! For my workload — Google Chrome, Slack, Microsoft Word, OneNote, and similar apps — I got about five hours before I had to plug in the machine. That’s serviceable, but it’s still far below what a machine with Intel Lunar Lake or Qualcomm’s Snapdragon X Elite or Snapdragon X Plus would deliver. A larger battery would make this less of an issue. Framework Laptop 12: Conclusion The Framework Laptop 12 is a hard laptop to score. If you want a modular, repairable, customizable 2-in-1 laptop, there’s no other machine like this on the market. This is your dream machine. You’ll find 2-in-1s with more battery life and performance, but you won’t find any you can crack open and make your own like this. On the other hand, when comparing this to other 2-in-1 machines, if repairability and customization aren’t priorities, this machine is a tougher sell, especially over something with a newer CPU and faster 3D graphics performance. For a few hundred bucks more, for example, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 7i Aura Edition delivers much improved battery life, CPU performance, and GPU performance — alongside an NPU for AI tasks — and the main sacrifice is Framework’s repairability and customizability. Framework’s laptops are amazing. I love that they exist! If it had a slightly newer CPU, it’d be a slam-dunk. As it stands, it’s an excellent (though niche) choice for tinkerers and students who value flexibility over raw performance. 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Planning a trip takes time and often its more of a hassle than you’d like. If you don’t feel like spending hours researching, you can simply outsource the first draft of your holiday plans to ChatGPT. The chatbot suggests travel destinations, creates daily plans, compares means of transport, reminds you of charging devices, and even virtually packs your suitcase. But how reliable are these suggestions? And can it actually save you money? We’ll show you what ChatGPT excels at in vacation planning — and warn you of pitfalls where it stumbles. Let’s dig in. Further reading: 9 menial tasks ChatGPT can handle in seconds, saving you hours Find travel ideas If you don’t have any concrete plans yet, ChatGPT is an excellent starting point for finding ideas. Start with a few wishes or questions such as: I would like to travel with two friends for 5 days in September, budget maximum 300 dollars per person, like nature and hiking, but also a small city to stroll around. Which three European cities are cheap, family-friendly and under 400 dollars in autumn? I’m planning a 7-day round trip from Munich through South Tyrol, the Dolomites and Lake Garda with activities and accommodation. ChatGPT responds with a list of suitable destinations as well as information on travelling, accommodation costs, local activities and much more – depending on the initial question or prompt (command). When making hotel suggestions or flight connections, remember that the AI does not process real-time data. You have to check for yourself whether the specified bus connection still exists, a cheap flight is actually available, or the accommodation is out of budget in high season. In this aspect, the time saved by using ChatGPT is less than hoped for (at least if you want to accept the suggestions unfiltered). The AI can also provide you with links to the official hotel websites, but you have to make the bookings yourself. Personalized daily plans Once the destination is clear, ChatGPT helps with fine-tuning: sights, restaurant tips, or travel routes can be packed into a personalized day plan if desired. For example, if you write: “Plan 3 days in Porto with food, culture and a relaxed atmosphere”, you will receive an itinerary with breakfast places, tours, museums and sunset points. The more details you enter – such as type of traveller, preferences, restrictions or weather – the better the results. ChatGPT creates detailed day tours on request, taking into account personal preferences and priorities. Sam Singleton Another example prompt: “I am a woman travelling alone, want to spend 5 days in Lisbon, travel safely, eat vegetarian food, and visit local bookshops. Plan for me a relaxed itinerary with addresses.”. Even Plan B suggestions for bad weather or child-friendly variants are possible – just ask the AI. Road trips, stopovers, and routes To plan your route, enter the starting point, destination, duration and interests. ChatGPT generates suggestions for stages, places of interest, and possible activities based on this information. Example: “I would like to do a 7-day round trip by car in July, starting in Munich, through Austria and northern Italy, focusing on nature, thermal baths and small towns. Please include distances and recommendations for accommodation or campsites.” Information on tolls, border crossings, traffic and weather is also available, even if it’s not updated daily. You will still have to transfer the route manually to Google Maps or a sat nav app though. A little etiquette in language and culture Asking ChatGPT “How do you say ‘Hello” in Icelandic?” And “Do you tip in Portugal?” clarifies such questions in a matter of seconds. A quick AI crash course in language and etiquette is particularly useful for short trips. You can also check public holidays, festivals and school holidays so that you are optimally prepared. Example prompts: What public holidays and major festivals are there in Croatia in June? And what should I bear in mind when visiting restaurants? What should I know about eating habits and courtesies in Portugal? What traditional festivals take place in Andalusia in July? How do you greet someone in Icelandic? And how do you say thank you? How much is it customary to tip in Greek restaurants? A little tip: Ask specifically about taboos or faux pas typical of the country. In many countries, there are unwritten rules of behavior that tourists should be aware of before they unknowingly cause offence. Packing list including special tips Last but not least, ChatGPT also helps you pack your suitcase, at least virtually. With information on your destination, duration of the trip and planned activities, the AI creates packing lists including practical tips on power adapters, clothing, first-aid kit and weatherproof equipment. Example: “I’m flying to Thailand for 10 days, I’m mostly travelling outside and need a packing list for my rucksack including technology, clothing, and pharmacy.” ChatGPT also creates checklists for packing suitcases, tailored to the destination, duration and activities. Sam Singleton The result is impressive, but you have to add personal essentials yourself. ChatGPT doesn’t know that you can’t sleep at night without a sleep mask—not yet, at least. Advantages and disadvantages of ChatGPT for vacation planning A real added value of ChatGPT lies in the organization of individual travel ideas. The AI provides quick and flexible ideas that traditional booking sites often don’t offer. Especially those who are not planning a run-of-the-mill trip, but want to pay attention to personal preferences, travel type, or specific needs, will benefit from the variety of suggestions. ChatGPT is not suitable for flight connections nor current prices and availability. If you think you can save yourself the trouble of doing all the research, the opposite is often the case: you should always check prices, opening times or timetables separately, which takes additional time. Therefore, it’s best to use ChatGPT for inspiration, structure, and individualization. For anything that changes quickly, however, you still need to use a search engine or app. If you keep this in mind, you will save yourself frustration and still get plenty of original travel ideas. Related content: 5 ways I actually used ChatGPT this year to improve my life 9 menial tasks ChatGPT can handle in seconds, saving you hours 23 travel gadgets you need for your next trip Read...

People transiting through New Zealand on Chinese passports will be able to use an electronic travel authority from November. Read...

With heatwaves likely to increase in some popular travel destinations around Europe, what does that mean for the future of the traditional summer beach holiday? Read...