travel-planner

name travel-planner description This skill should be used whenever users need help planning trips, creating travel itineraries, managing travel budgets, or seeking destination advice. On first use, collects comprehensive travel preferences including budget level, travel style, interests, and dietary restrictions. Generates detailed travel plans with day-by-day itineraries, budget breakdowns, packing checklists, cultural do's and don'ts, and region-specific schedules. Maintains database of preferences and past trips for personalized recommendations. 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: python3 scripts/travel_db.py is_initialized 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: import sys sys.path.append( '[SKILL_DIR]/scripts' ) from travel_db import save_preferences preferences = { "travel_style" : "adventurous" , "budget_level" : "mid-range" , "accommodation_preference" : [ "boutique hotels" , "Airbnb" ], "interests" : [ "culture" , "food" , "hiking" , "photography" ], "dietary_restrictions" : [ "vegetarian" ], "pace_preference" : "moderate" , "travel_companions" : "couple" , "language_skills" : [ "English" , "Spanish" ], "previous_destinations" : [ "Paris" , "Tokyo" , "Barcelona" ], "bucket_list" : [ { "destination" : "New Zealand" , "notes" : "Lord of the Rings locations" }, { "destination" : "Peru" , "notes" : "Machu Picchu" } ] } save_preferences(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: from travel_db import add_trip trip = { "destination" : { "city" : "Barcelona" , "country" : "Spain" , "region" : "Catalonia" }, "departure_date" : "2025-06-15" , "return_date" : "2025-06-22" , "duration_days" : 7 , "budget" : { "total" : 2500 , "currency" : "USD" }, "purpose" : "vacation" , "travelers" : 2 , "climate" : "warm Mediterranean" , "activities" : [ "sightseeing" , "food tours" , "beach" , "architecture" ], "accommodation" : { "type" : "boutique hotel" , "location" : "Gothic Quarter" } } trip_id = add_trip(trip, status= "current" ) 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.md as 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: Day 1: Arrival & Gothic Quarter - Morning (9:00 AM): Arrive Barcelona, hotel check-in - Late Morning (11:00 AM): Walking tour of Gothic Quarter - Barcelona Cathedral - Plaça Reial - Las Ramblas (brief walk) - Afternoon (2:00 PM): Lunch at Cal Pep (tapas) - Afternoon (4:00 PM): Picasso Museum - Evening (7:00 PM): Dinner in El Born neighborhood - Evening (9:00 PM): Stroll along waterfront Transportation: Metro from airport (30 min, €5) Estimated Cost: €120/person (meals, museum, transport) Notes: Book Picasso Museum tickets online in advance 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: from plan_generator import calculate_budget_breakdown budget = calculate_budget_breakdown( total_budget= 2500 , num_days= 7 , accommodation_level= "mid-range" ) Present as: Total Budget: $2,500 (7 days) Daily Average: $357 Breakdown: - Accommodation: $875 (35%) - $125/night * Boutique hotel in Gothic Quarter * Includes breakfast - Food: $625 (25%) - $89/day * Breakfast: Included * Lunch: $25-30/person * Dinner: $40-50/person * Snacks/drinks: $15/day - Activities: $625 (25%) - $89/day * Sagrada Familia: $35 * Park Güell: $13 * Picasso Museum: $15 * Food tour: $95 * Day trip to Montserrat: $50 * Other attractions: ~$100 - Transportation: $250 (10%) - $36/day * Airport transfers: $35 each way * Metro pass (7-day): $40 * Taxis: ~$100 total - Miscellaneous: $125 (5%) * Tips, emergencies, souvenirs C. Packing Checklist Generate using plan_generator.py or based on destination climate/activities: from plan_generator import generate_packing_checklist checklist = generate_packing_checklist( destination_climate= "warm Mediterranean" , duration_days= 7 , trip_activities=[ "sightseeing" , "beach" , "dining" ] ) Customize and present: ESSENTIALS: - [ ] Passport (check 6-month validity) - [ ] Visa (if required) - [ ] Travel insurance documents - [ ] Hotel confirmations - [ ] Flight tickets - [ ] Credit cards (notify bank) - [ ] Euros cash (€200-300) - [ ] Phone & charger - [ ] European plug adapter - [ ] Medications CLOTHING (June weather: 70-80°F, sunny): - [ ] 3 pairs shorts - [ ] 2 pairs long pants - [ ] 5-7 t-shirts/tops - [ ] 1-2 dresses/nice shirts for dinner - [ ] Light jacket for evenings - [ ] Swimsuit - [ ] Comfortable walking shoes - [ ] Sandals - [ ] Sun hat - [ ] Sunglasses ACTIVITIES: - [ ] Day backpack - [ ] Reusable water bottle - [ ] Camera - [ ] Beach towel (compact) - [ ] Sunscreen SPF 50 - [ ] Walking tour comfortable shoes D. Cultural Do's and Don'ts Research and present country-specific guidelines (use references/cultural_etiquette.md as template): SPAIN / BARCELONA - Cultural Etiquette DO'S: ✓ Greet with "Hola" and a kiss on each cheek (friends) ✓ Learn basic Spanish/Catalan phrases ✓ Eat dinner late (9-10 PM is normal) ✓ Take your time with meals ✓ Dress stylishly (locals dress well) ✓ Respect siesta time (2-5 PM, some shops close) ✓ Say "Bon profit" before meals ✓ Tip 5-10% for good service DON'TS: ✗ Don't expect early dinner (restaurants open at 8 PM) ✗ Don't wear beach clothes in city center ✗ Don't assume everyone speaks English ✗ Don't call it Spain - it's Catalunya to locals ✗ Don't rush through meals ✗ Don't yell or be loud in public ✗ Don't take photos in churches during mass DINING ETIQUETTE: - Lunch: 2-4 PM - Dinner: 9-11 PM - Service charge sometimes included (check bill) - Say "La cuenta, por favor" for bill - It's okay to share tapas - Bread is not free at all restaurants SAFETY TIPS: - Watch for pickpockets on Las Ramblas and metro - Keep bag in front in crowded areas - Don't leave valuables on beach - Be cautious accepting help from strangers - Use official taxis or Uber/Cabify E. Pre-Trip Preparation Timeline Use plan_generator.py or create based on departure date: from plan_generator import generate_pre_trip_checklist prep_checklist = generate_pre_trip_checklist( destination_country= "Spain" , departure_date= "2025-06-15" ) Present as timeline: PRE-TRIP CHECKLIST 2 MONTHS BEFORE (April 15): - [ ] Book flights - [ ] Book hotel - [ ] Purchase travel insurance - [ ] Check passport expiration - [ ] Research visa requirements - [ ] Start researching activities 1 MONTH BEFORE (May 15): - [ ] Book Sagrada Familia tickets (sell out!) - [ ] Book food tour - [ ] Book any other popular activities - [ ] Notify bank of travel dates - [ ] Set up international phone plan - [ ] Download offline maps (Google Maps, Citymapper) - [ ] Make dinner reservations (popular restaurants) 2 WEEKS BEFORE (June 1): - [ ] Confirm all reservations - [ ] Print/save all confirmations offline - [ ] Exchange some currency (~€200) - [ ] Check weather forecast - [ ] Create packing list - [ ] Arrange pet/plant care - [ ] Hold mail delivery 1 WEEK BEFORE (June 8): - [ ] Check in for flights (24 hours before) - [ ] Pack luggage - [ ] Charge all electronics - [ ] Download language apps (Google Translate, Duolingo) - [ ] Save emergency numbers - [ ] Make copies of passport - [ ] Clean out fridge DAY BEFORE (June 14): - [ ] Re-check flight time - [ ] Prepare carry-on - [ ] Take out trash - [ ] Adjust thermostat - [ ] Unplug electronics - [ ] Set multiple alarms for departure Step 6: Track Trip and Budget During the trip, track expenses: from travel_db import add_expense expense = { "category" : "food" , "amount" : 45.00 , "description" : "Dinner at Cervecería Catalana" , "date" : "2025-06-16" } add_expense(trip_id, expense) View budget status: from travel_db import get_budget_summary summary = get_budget_summary(trip_id) # Shows: total_budget, spent, remaining, percentage_used, by_category Step 7: Post-Trip Updates After trip, move to past trips and update: from travel_db import move_trip_to_past, add_previous_destination move_trip_to_past(trip_id) add_previous_destination( "Barcelona, Spain" ) 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 User: "I want to plan a 7-day trip to Barcelona in June" Claude: [Checks preferences - finds initialized] Great! I'll create a detailed travel plan for Barcelona. Based on your preferences, I know you enjoy culture, food, and moderate-paced travel with a mid-range budget. First, a few questions: 1. What are your exact travel dates? 2. What's your total budget? 3. Any specific must-see attractions? 4. Traveling solo or with someone? User: "June 15-22, $2500 budget, want to see Gaudí architecture, traveling with partner" Claude: [Creates trip in database, performs web research] Perfect! I've created your Barcelona trip plan. Let me present the complete itinerary: [Generates detailed 7-day itinerary with Sagrada Familia, Park Güell, Casa Batlló, etc.] [Creates budget breakdown: $2500 over 7 days] [Generates packing checklist for June Mediterranean weather] [Provides Spanish cultural do's and don'ts] [Creates timeline of pre-trip tasks]