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:

bash

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:

python

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:

python

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:

python

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:

python

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:

python

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:

python

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:

python

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:

python

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]

Key highlights:
✓ Day 2: Sagrada Familia (book tickets NOW - they sell out)
✓ Day 4: Food tour in El Born (€95/person, worth it!)
✓ Day 6: Day trip to Montserrat
✓ Budget: $357/day average (€325)
✓ Accommodation: €125/night in Gothic Quarter

Important notes:
- Book Sagrada Familia tickets immediately
- Dinner reservations needed for Tickets Bar, Cervecería Catalana
- Pickpocket awareness on Las Ramblas
- Bring European plug adapter (Type C/F)

Would you like me to adjust anything in the itinerary?

Technical Notes

Data Storage:

Preferences:

~/.claude/travel_planner/preferences.json

Trips:
```
~/.claude/travel_planner/trips.json
```

CLI Commands:

bash

# Check initialization
python3 scripts/travel_db.py is_initialized

# View data
python3 scripts/travel_db.py get_preferences
python3 scripts/travel_db.py get_trips current
python3 scripts/travel_db.py stats

# Generate plan
python3 scripts/plan_generator.py --trip-id <id> --output plan.json

# Export backup
python3 scripts/travel_db.py export > backup.json

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.

travel-planner

NPX Install

Tags

SKILL.md Content

Travel Planner

Overview

When to Use This Skill

Workflow

Step 1: Check for Existing Preferences

Step 2: Initial Preference Collection

Step 3: Create New Trip

Step 4: Research Destination

Step 5: Generate Detailed Travel Plan

Step 6: Track Trip and Budget

Step 7: Post-Trip Updates

Best Practices

Example Interaction

Technical Notes

Resources

scripts/travel_db.py

scripts/plan_generator.py

references/travel_guidelines.md

references/cultural_etiquette.md