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Recently, I wrapped up an amazing trip through the Balkans in Eastern Europe, visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and North Macedonia. During this journey, I relied heavily on ChatGPT to streamline various parts of my travel experience, from designing custom walking tours to translating restaurant menus. In this blog post, I'll share how I used ChatGPT in different ways to make my trip smoother and more enjoyable.

1. Creating a Custom Self-Guided Walking Tour

One of the highlights of my trip was using ChatGPT to design a self-guided walking tour. This came in handy when I missed a free walking tour in Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Instead of stressing about it, I asked ChatGPT to create a walking tour for me. I simply provided my location, requested a walking-only route, and asked for brief information about each monument I visited.

The best part? If I found something interesting along the way—like a cathedral or monument—I could ask ChatGPT for more details on the spot. This personalized touch helped the information stick much better than the overload of facts you often get on traditional tours. While you do miss the social aspect of a regular walking tour, it’s a great option for solo travelers or when you're in a less touristy city with no guided tours available.

2. Translating Menus and Tailoring My Meals

On my first day in Bosnia, I wanted to try some local dishes but couldn’t read the menu. I used ChatGPT as a translator by taking a photo of the menu and asking it to translate. What made this more useful than Google Lens was ChatGPT’s ability to answer follow-up questions. For example, I could ask about the most traditional dish on the menu. You can also check if a meal has ingredients that you need to avoid due to dietary preferences.

3. Instant Information on Random Monuments

Another fun use of ChatGPT was when I encountered random monuments or landmarks that I wanted to learn more about. In Belgrade, Serbia, I came across an intriguing statue while walking through a park. I snapped a photo, uploaded it to ChatGPT, and asked for information about the figure. It not only gave me accurate details but also allowed me to ask follow-up questions for deeper insights. This feature works similarly to Google Lens but felt more interactive and informative.

4. Personalized Trip Itineraries

I also used ChatGPT to help plan my overall trip itinerary. Instead of following pre-made guides, I asked it to generate a three-day itinerary tailored to my interests, allowing room for spontaneous plans. This customization made the itinerary flexible and catered to what I really wanted to see. It’s particularly useful in less touristy areas where high-quality travel guides aren’t as readily available.

5. Translating Basic Phrases for Smooth Communication

Lastly, I used ChatGPT to learn essential phrases in the local languages. I have a set list of six or seven words I like to know when visiting new countries—things like “hello,” “goodbye,” and “thank you.” ChatGPT quickly translated these words and provided phonetic pronunciation tips, which I saved in my phone’s notes for easy access. It’s not a game-changer, but it does make navigating foreign places a little smoother, especially in regions with multiple languages.

Conclusion

During my trip through the Balkans, ChatGPT became a valuable tool, helping me explore cities on my own terms, order local dishes with more ease, and learn about the landmarks I stumbled upon. It didn’t replace all traditional travel tools or human interaction, but it added convenience and personalization in ways I hadn't experienced before. If you’re traveling solo or visiting less touristy places, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Thanks for reading, and happy travels!