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Hi Reader,

Thank you to everyone who responded to last week's email where I asked the following question:

"What type of content would you like to see more of in the newsletter?"

Here's the tally:

35% want more Remote Work / Digital Nomad / Travel Lifestyle Type Content

42% want more Destination Information

26% want more Personal Updates / Musings

I got a lot of additional ideas from you as well.

This is pretty much the content breakdown of the newsletter anyway so I guess my big takeaway is to keep doing what I'm doing!

But that doesn't mean the conversation should end.

Anytime you have feedback, suggestions or you just want to say hi, please get in touch.

After all, I make all of these podcasts and newsletters for YOU, and want to do the best I can to serve you.

Thank you again for being here! 🙏

Ok, now on to this week's newsletter...

Today you'll discover:

• The experience of bikepacking Scotland and travel for self discovery
• How to use AI to help you travel (and how NOT to use it!)
• I used AI to help me plan a day in Oslo...does it pass the test?
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Let's dive in!

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🎙 Travel For Healing and Self Discovery

How can travel serve as a path to healing and self-discovery?

Today, I’m joined by C.D. Seventeen, a techno music artist, DJ, painter, and poet, to talk about what it was like growing up in the Yunnan Province of China and how a bike-packing trip through the Scottish Highlands and the Orkney Islands helped her reclaim her power.

In this episode, Seventeen opens up about her challenges coming out of that environment to pursue an unconventional path and what she had to overcome to follow her dreams.

You'll also discover:

• Her advice for bike-packing Scotland and meeting others on the road
• How writing in a foreign language taught her to embrace flaws and new possibilities
• The pivotal moment that led her to take a solo bike-packing trip around Scotland
• Seventeen’s quest for individuation and how her book reflects her transformation during the journey
• What she’s learned from breaking free of the rules

​Click here to listen to this episode (or search "Zero To Travel" wherever you get podcasts)

🤖 Using AI For Travel - Is It Worth It?

I've started to get a slew of emails from start-ups utilizing AI in the travel space to provide recommendations and suggested itineraries.

I like to think I'm open-minded, but anytime AI and travel get mentioned together, I start to get a little defensive.

I'm so connected to the humanity of travel that I have a hard time imagining taking travel advice from AI.

Call me old school (because I am!) but it just seems wrong.

BUT...

I consider myself open-minded, and being open-minded means not being closed off, right?

Plud, when I take a step back and think about it, we have been getting more and more help from computers over the years anyway.

Is AI just the next natural step?

To me, going where an AI sends me doesn't sound like much fun.

But what if it eventually gets to know me so well that every place it recommends becomes so personal, so spot on, that they are all winners?

Only time will tell.

In the meantime, perhaps AI can be used as a tool. A collaborator of sorts.

Helping us gather information and get organized while we humans remain the curators, thus maintaining that human touch.

That's what I'm exploring today.

If you want some ideas on how AI can help you right now, here are a few articles worth checking out.

Can ChatGPT Actually Plan a Decent Travel Itinerary? Yes, and No.

AFAR's social media editor let AI plan an entire getaway weekend. You can see how that panned out as well as get some tips on how to use CHatGPT to help with planning (and where it falls short).

What are the best uses for AI and travel?

Nat Geo shares their take on how to use AI to plan your next trip in this article.​

How AI Is Being Used In The Travel Industry

This article contains 5 examples of how AI is being used in travel, and a sneak peek on where things may be going.

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🗒 Putting AI To The Test: Planning A Day In Oslo, Norway

I logged into ChatGPT and entered this prompt:

I have a full day in Oslo, Norway. I'd like to have some delicious coffee, spend some time outside, and soak up a little culture without rushing around. What should I do, and where should I go to meet local people?

Here is what it spit out:👇

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Spending a day in Oslo, Norway while enjoying coffee, the outdoors, and local culture sounds like a wonderful plan. Here's a relaxed itinerary that allows you to do just that:

Morning: Delicious Coffee and Local Vibes Start your day with a cup of delicious coffee at one of Oslo's cozy coffee shops. Some popular options known for their quality coffee and welcoming atmosphere include:

1. Fuglen - A trendy café known for its excellent coffee. It's a great place to meet locals and enjoy a laid-back morning.
2. Tim Wendelboe - This coffee shop is famous for its commitment to sourcing and roasting high-quality coffee beans. It's a must-visit for coffee enthusiasts.
3. Kaffebrenneriet - A local chain of coffee shops with a wide range of coffee options and baked goods.

After you've had your caffeine fix, take a leisurely stroll through one of Oslo's charming neighborhoods like Grünerløkka or Majorstuen. These areas are known for their vibrant street art, boutique shops, and a mix of locals and visitors.

Midday: Embrace the Outdoors For a dose of nature and fresh air, head to the Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken). This world-famous sculpture park is home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, and it's a beautiful place to relax, people-watch, and soak up the outdoors. The park is free to enter and open year-round.

Alternatively, you can visit the Bygdøy Peninsula, where you'll find several museums and beautiful parks. The Folkemuseet (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) and the Viking Ship Museum are great options if you're interested in Norwegian history and culture.

Lunch: Local Cuisine For lunch, try traditional Norwegian dishes at a local restaurant. Consider places like "Frokostkjelleren" for traditional Norwegian fare. If you're adventurous, sample dishes like gravlaks (salmon), lutefisk (dried fish), or fish soup for a taste of authentic Norwegian cuisine.

Afternoon: Cultural Exploration Spend your afternoon exploring Oslo's cultural attractions at a relaxed pace. You can visit the Munch Museum to see works by the famous Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, including "The Scream."

Another option is the Oslo Opera House, an architectural marvel with a rooftop terrace that offers stunning views of the city. Even if you don't attend a performance, it's a great place to enjoy the scenery.

Evening: Local Hangouts In the evening, head to the Grünerløkka or Youngstorget areas for a taste of Oslo's nightlife and local hangouts. These neighborhoods have plenty of pubs, bars, and restaurants where you can meet and mingle with locals.

If you want to experience traditional Norwegian music, check out a local folk music or jazz venue. These places often host live performances in a cozy, intimate setting.

Remember that Norwegians can be a bit reserved, but they're generally friendly. Don't hesitate to strike up a conversation with locals and ask for recommendations to make your day even more enjoyable. Enjoy your day in Oslo!

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My comments....

F@CK!

The AI kind of nailed these recommendations.

At least most of them.

Sure, there was some generic stuff in there, like "check out a local folk music or jazz venue." which is useless information.

And doing all of this in one day would mean rushing around. It didn't give me advice on how to tackle the day from a logistics perspective.

But overall, great ideas for one day in the city.

Those first 2 coffee shops are great, and it was upfront that the 3rd rec was a chain (albeit one with great coffee). I like that it gave me 3 options.

Vigeland park is a must-see and I love that it didn't skip the fact that it's free.

And the suggested neighborhoods were winners to check it.

Color me impressed!

These suggestions still need to be fine tuned and curated, you can't do all of this in a day AND feel relaxed.

But overall, following any combination of these suggestions would make for an awesome day in Oslo.

I did write a follow up promt asking me to help plan the logistics of this day.

It contained some good advice like "Purchase an Oslo Pass if you plan to visit multiple museums or use public transportation frequently, as it offers discounts and free access to many attractions."

But overall the logistics plan was pretty generic.

Still, there was some great stuff in here.

It might be time to befriend AI, give it a chance to chime in, and use it as another touch point for planning.

Still, I know AI will never be able to replace the gorgeous serendipity and exchanges that come from conversations with fellow travelers and locals.

I'm sticking with the humans!

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Got a question? I'd love to hear from you!

To get in touch reply here or better yet, leave me a voicemail (I respond to every single voicemail with a personal recording).

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A quote before you go...

"There is no great genius without some touch of madness."​
-Aristotle

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Thanks for being a part of this community and I'll see you next week!

Much love,

Jason

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