I’ve seen many people online saying things like “I used ChatGPT to plan my vacation, you don’t have to do it yourself anymore”, and as a travel blogger who always feels like I waited too long to start, statements like that make me nervous. I know AI will replace our jobs at some point, but I didn’t think it would be this soon. I decided to experiment a little and see how well these AI itineraries worked if they did at all.
If, in fact, as a travel blogger I should throw in the towel right now and give it all up because AI can dish out travel itineraries without spending all the time and money that I do traveling to, living in, and creating content around these places. In this blog I’m going to answer a lot of those questions, and at the end for transparency I will paste my entire interaction with ChatGPT for this experiment (always being polite so the robots don’t come for me during the apocalypse).
I moved from the South of France to Palermo, Sicily a few months ago. After spending some time getting to know my new city, I decided now was the right time to judge whether or not the itinerary was legitimate. I wanted to make the most of the experience, so I had decided I would follow the itinerary exactly as it was written, prompting ChatGPT the night before so I could plan accordingly and check opening and closing times, etc. I had to adjust the morning portion, as the restaurant it recommended for me to eat breakfast at didn’t open until 11 and I had two other stops to make before lunch, as well as two stops after lunch that closed quite early. I decided instead to forgo a big breakfast and do as the Italians do and stop in a bar and have a cornetto con crema and an espresso on my way to the Cathedral.
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Morning:
- Breakfast at Antica Focacceria San Francesco: Start your day with a traditional Sicilian breakfast at this historic establishment. Try some freshly baked pastries like cannoli or sfogliatelle along with a cappuccino.
- Visit the Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo): Explore this stunning cathedral, a mix of architectural styles reflecting its diverse history. Don’t miss the Royal Tombs and the Treasury Chapel.
- Walk through the Ballarò Market: Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of this historic market. Sample fresh fruits, cheeses, and street food like arancini (rice balls) or panelle (chickpea fritters).
The Palermo Cathedral is a truly magnificent structure. I was blown away the first time I saw it. I had visited Palermo briefly every summer for the last few years, but the Cathedral was never on our list. A full guided tour ticket is 15€, and I decided to get the 7€ ticket that granted the rooftop and Royal Tombs access. It was well worth the 7€ price point for the rooftop alone, the view of Palermo and the Mediterranean Sea was incredible.
The Royal Tombs entrance was at the rooftop exit and is a self-guided tour. There is plenty of information written in a few languages (Italian, German, French, and English) about the tombs and the history of Sicily’s rulership from the Normans. If you’re into history you’ll love that, and there are also fully guided tours available. I arrived at the Cathedral a little after 10 am and the ticket line was short. I would recommend this time or earlier if you want to avoid the crowds, as it was starting to get busy when I was leaving (opening hours are 7-19h every day except Sunday).
After the Cathedral I made the short walk to the Ballarò Market. Ballarò Market is a bustling and chaotic outdoor market, lined with stalls of fresh fruits and vegetables, the sound of sizzling as meat is cooked over a stove, the waft of the catch of the day followed by the freshly squeezed orange juice, or spremuta, which I had to buy. It’s almost impossible not to get overwhelmed by the sights, smells, and sounds of this market. I gladly sampled some panelle as ChatGPT suggested, but didn’t get an arancina this time because that is a whole lunch in itself and I had to save room for the pasta I was about to eat.
After the Ballarò Market is where the itinerary starts to veer from what I would suggest as a travel blogger.
Afternoon:
- Lunch at Trattoria Biondo: Enjoy a delicious Sicilian lunch at this highly rated trattoria. Try local specialties like pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) or pasta alla Norma.
- Explore the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel: Visit the Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) to admire the beautiful Palatine Chapel, renowned for its stunning Byzantine mosaics.
- Visit the Catacombs of the Capuchins: Discover the eerie but fascinating Catacombe dei Cappuccini, featuring mummified bodies and displays of Palermo’s historical and cultural evolution.
I hadn’t been to Trattoria Biondo before and I was excited to try a new restaurant. However, it was completely on the other side of the city center, about a half an hour walk even at my long-legged fast pace. Still, determined to follow the itinerary as best I could, I made the trek. I arrived right as it was opening at 12:30, which is a bit early to eat lunch in Sicily, but I wanted to make sure I had time for my two afternoon tours before the Norman Palace closed at 4 and the Catacombs closed at 5:30.
The Trattoria was delicious and I ordered the pasta con le sarde as ChatGPT recommended and it was amazing. (Side note and a bit too much information: I spent my entire afternoon burping the taste of sardines which wasn’t the most pleasant experience. Just so you’re prepared if you order pasta with fish for lunch). The staff was friendly and it was one of the better Trattorias I had been to. The price was pretty standard for a meal out in Sicily, and I paid about 28€ for a glass of wine, pasta, dessert, coffee, and water.
After lunch, dessert and another espresso at the restaurant, I was ready for a nap but had to make another 30-minute trek right back to the same place I had left before lunch. The Norman Palace is less than a five minute walk from the Cathedral, so this part of the itinerary was completely absurd and I definitely would have suggested somewhere to eat that was closer to the afternoon activities. Why ChatGPT had me walking all over town (I think I clocked around 30,000 steps for the whole day) I don’t know, but I was exhausted by the end of it.
The Standard entry ticket to the Norman Palace was 18€ for a non-EU citizen over 25 and under 65. There were a few euro discounts for special circumstances, and you could pay a few extra for another art/immersive experience, which I decided to skip. There are also guided entry tours for a full immersive experience. You have to pass through security on your way in, and I had to leave my tripod at the entrance with the guard that I could collect later. I stood in line for a self-guided audio tour that I thought was included in the ticket price but was an extra 5€ so I didn’t end up purchasing it. I did manage to stay close to a group tour for a portion of it so I learned a bit about the history of the building.
The Norman Palace tour consists of the chapel, with incredible Byzantine-style mosaic detail, and the royal apartments, which were cool but weren’t my favorite. Followed by the Royal Gardens outside, where there is a cafe and a lovely stroll through the botanical gardens. To end the tour is the “Thesaurus” section, where you descend into a dark room with artifacts and art displays. Overall it was something I was glad I did but I’m not sure it was worth the ticket price for me.
After the Norman Palace I had another 25-ish minute walk to the Cappuccini Catacombs. There were plenty of ape taxis (pronounced ah-pay, which means bee in Italian) and regular taxis that offered to take me there, but I was already spending quite a bit for the entire day so I decided to walk. I was expecting the catacombs to be similar to the ones in Paris, but I quickly discovered the difference after descending only maybe one floor. There were even windows to the outside which I thought was strange for catacombs, and instead of stacks of bones that lined the walls there were individual niches within the walls that had mummified remains of the Sicilian elite, mostly from the 1800’s. The entry ticket was only 5€ and it was an interesting experience. On my way out I noticed a QR code with more information that I wish I had scanned upon arriving, but I sat outside and read a bit about what I had just seen and learned that the remains of the painter Velasquez was in the corridor of the professionals.
I finished my Catacombs tour around 5pm, and my evening itinerary was as follows:
Evening:
- Stroll through Quattro Canti: Take a leisurely walk through the heart of Palermo at Quattro Canti, a Baroque square where you can admire the splendid facades and bustling streets.
- Dinner at Osteria dei Vespri: Enjoy dinner at this charming restaurant known for its Sicilian cuisine and cozy atmosphere. Don’t miss out on trying some local wines and desserts.
- Gelato at Ilardo: End your day with a sweet treat – indulge in some authentic Sicilian gelato at Ilardo, a popular gelateria.
Quattro Canti was the neighborhood I had to walk through to get to my lunch destination, so I didn’t want to do the exact same thing again, and there wasn’t much planned for me between that and dinner, so I sat on a bench near the Cathedral and called my mom. After that I walked all the way down Vittorio Emmanuele, the main strip of Palermo, and walked around the port.
By that time it was about 6:30 and time to find somewhere for a spritz.
I checked Osteria dei Vespri, and honestly it was way too overpriced for my taste. I had a somewhat fancy lunch and I didn’t want to break the bank for the day, so I asked for a more budget-friendly option. ChatGPT then gave me the suggestion to eat at the same place it suggested for breakfast, and for full transparency I had eaten there with a friend the weekend before so I wanted to try something else. I asked for a more budget-friendly option for dinner, and it suggested
Dinner at La Cambusa: La Cambusa is a cozy and affordable trattoria located near the city center. They offer traditional Sicilian dishes like pasta, seafood, and pizza at reasonable prices.
I wasn’t thrilled about this dinner selection, but I had made it this far into my ChatGPT day and was committed to the bit. I reluctantly sat down, though we were the only table with anyone outside at maybe 15-20 tables. (This was a red flag for me as the surrounding restaurants were full and vibrant, this place was completely dead with a couple of parties inside). The meal was okay, though for 35€ I wasn’t impressed with my tuna and potatoes. You can eat incredibly well in Sicily for cheap, so I think I’ve gotten used to this standard and was a bit annoyed that I had spent so much money for not being wowed by my meal.
By this time, it was about 11pm and I was beat after walking around 19 km all day. I did not walk another 40 minutes out of my way to get the gelato it recommended and I made my way home.
Cost Breakdown for the Day for one person:
Breakfast: 3€
Cathedral Rooftop and Tombs Ticket: 7€
Spremuta at the Market: 2€
Lunch at Trattoria Biondo: 28€
Norman Palace Entry Ticket: 18€
Catacombs Entry Ticket: 5€
Before Dinner Drinks/Aperitivo: 18€
Dinner at La Cambusa: 35€
Total: 116€
Final Thoughts about ChatGPT’s Itinerary for Palermo:
Overall, this itinerary wasn’t terrible. I would give it a 6/10. The spacing and timing between locations made no sense, and the restaurant choices were, as I mentioned before, a bit overpriced. Lunch was better than dinner by far, but you can get a delicious arancina at the market for 2€ and have an authentic culinary experience for far less than what I paid for both of my meals. I think ChatGPT has a long way to go, and real bloggers’ experiences are still more valuable and important than what AI has to offer. It was a funny experience, and I definitely recommend you try it to be a tourist in your own city! I would love to hear about how it went in the comments below 🙂
My Entire ChatGPT Conversation:
User
Can you please give me a one day itinerary for Palermo Sicily
ChatGPT
Certainly! Palermo, the vibrant capital of Sicily, offers a wealth of history, culture, and culinary delights. Here’s a suggested one-day itinerary to make the most of your visit:
Morning:
Breakfast at Antica Focacceria San Francesco: Start your day with a traditional Sicilian breakfast at this historic establishment. Try some freshly baked pastries like cannoli or sfogliatelle along with a cappuccino.
Visit the Palermo Cathedral (Cattedrale di Palermo): Explore this stunning cathedral, a mix of architectural styles reflecting its diverse history. Don’t miss the Royal Tombs and the Treasury Chapel.
Walk through the Ballarò Market: Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of this historic market. Sample fresh fruits, cheeses, and street food like arancini (rice balls) or panelle (chickpea fritters).
Afternoon:
Lunch at Trattoria Biondo: Enjoy a delicious Sicilian lunch at this highly rated trattoria. Try local specialties like pasta con le sarde (pasta with sardines) or pasta alla Norma.
Explore the Norman Palace and Palatine Chapel: Visit the Palazzo dei Normanni (Norman Palace) to admire the beautiful Palatine Chapel, renowned for its stunning Byzantine mosaics.
Visit the Catacombs of the Capuchins: Discover the eerie but fascinating Catacombe dei Cappuccini, featuring mummified bodies and displays of Palermo’s historical and cultural evolution.
Evening:
Stroll through Quattro Canti: Take a leisurely walk through the heart of Palermo at Quattro Canti, a Baroque square where you can admire the splendid facades and bustling streets.
Dinner at Osteria dei Vespri: Enjoy dinner at this charming restaurant known for its Sicilian cuisine and cozy atmosphere. Don’t miss out on trying some local wines and desserts.
Gelato at Ilardo: End your day with a sweet treat – indulge in some authentic Sicilian gelato at Ilardo, a popular gelateria.
Additional Tips:
Consider using public transportation or taxis to get around, as parking can be challenging in the city center.
Wear comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a fair amount of walking, especially in the historic areas.
Check opening hours and any special events happening during your visit to make the most of your time in Palermo.
This itinerary offers a mix of Palermo’s top attractions, culinary experiences, and local gems, allowing you to soak in the essence of this fascinating city in Sicily. Enjoy your day in Palermo!
User
Can you give me a more budget friendly option for dinner please
ChatGPT
Certainly! If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly dinner option in Palermo, here’s a revised evening plan:
Evening:
Stroll through Quattro Canti: Take a leisurely walk through the heart of Palermo at Quattro Canti, a Baroque square where you can admire the splendid facades and bustling streets.
Dinner at Focacceria San Francesco: For a budget-friendly meal, return to Antica Focacceria San Francesco for dinner. They offer a variety of traditional Sicilian dishes at reasonable prices, including arancini, pasta dishes, and their specialty focaccia.
Gelato at Gelateria Ciccio: End your day with some delicious gelato at Gelateria Ciccio, located near the Quattro Canti. They offer a wide range of flavors at affordable prices.
This adjusted itinerary allows you to enjoy Palermo’s charm and culinary delights without breaking the bank. Antica Focacceria San Francesco is not only a historic spot but also a great place to experience authentic Sicilian flavors at a reasonable cost. Enjoy your evening in Palermo!
User
You told me to get breakfast and dinner at foccaceria San Francesco
ChatGPT
I apologize for the oversight. Let’s adjust the evening portion of the itinerary to include a different budget-friendly dining option for dinner:
Evening:
Stroll through Quattro Canti: Take a leisurely walk through the heart of Palermo at Quattro Canti, a Baroque square where you can admire the splendid facades and bustling streets.
Dinner at La Cambusa: La Cambusa is a cozy and affordable trattoria located near the city center. They offer traditional Sicilian dishes like pasta, seafood, and pizza at reasonable prices.
Gelato at Gelateria Ciccio: End your day with some delicious gelato at Gelateria Ciccio, located near the Quattro Canti. They offer a wide range of flavors at affordable prices.
By dining at La Cambusa, you can enjoy a satisfying dinner without straining your budget. Afterward, treat yourself to some delightful gelato to round off your day in Palermo. I hope this revised suggestion fits better with your preferences. Enjoy your time exploring Palermo!
User
it’s okay! Thank you!
ChatGPT
You’re welcome! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Enjoy your time in Palermo!