Plan a solo summer vacation with Gemini (forgot it was a solo trip)

Posted

Aug 9, 2026 by Mahnoor Faisal (XDA)

·

Last checked

Oct 16, 2026

·

Method:

How we verify

Evidence: Article or interviewA newsletter, journalist or interview account of what happened.

Context: In a comparison test: from a head-to-head chatbot review, not a standalone agent test.

Outcome

XDA's Mahnoor Faisal let Claude, ChatGPT and Gemini plan a real summer vacation she was taking alone. She says Gemini kept forgetting basics, repeatedly defaulting to group and couple-oriented ideas like a romantic candlelight dinner, and tended to agree her plan was great when it needed work.

Agent

Gemini

The source didn't share its exact prompt, so we wrote this from what it describes.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about anything important that's missing below. Keep them quick. Then do the task, checking in with me at the key points.

Goal: Plan a realistic solo trip, and push back honestly when my plan is too packed or doesn't suit someone travelling alone.

What I can give you (ask for whatever's missing):
- Destination, dates and where I'm staying
- That I'm travelling solo, and my interests
- Budget and how much I like to do per day
- Things I've already booked
- Anything I'm nervous about (safety, evenings out, language)

Rules:
- Remember throughout that I'm travelling alone; suggest solo-friendly activities, seating and tours.
- If a day has too much in it, say so and explain why, rather than agreeing.
- Include travel time between stops and one free block each day.
- Note safety tips for solo travellers at night where relevant.
- If a site asks for a login, a CAPTCHA or payment details, stop and hand control back to me.
- Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything.
- Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify.

Output: A day-by-day plan with times, travel between stops, costs, and a short list of things you'd change in my original plan.

You'll know it worked when: nothing in the plan assumes a partner or group, and each day is doable without rushing.

Before you start, ask me 1–3 short questions about anything important that's missing below. Keep them quick. Then do the task, checking in with me at the key points.

Goal: Plan a realistic solo trip, and push back honestly when my plan is too packed or doesn't suit someone travelling alone.

What I can give you (ask for whatever's missing):
- Destination, dates and where I'm staying
- That I'm travelling solo, and my interests
- Budget and how much I like to do per day
- Things I've already booked
- Anything I'm nervous about (safety, evenings out, language)

Rules:
- Remember throughout that I'm travelling alone; suggest solo-friendly activities, seating and tours.
- If a day has too much in it, say so and explain why, rather than agreeing.
- Include travel time between stops and one free block each day.
- Note safety tips for solo travellers at night where relevant.
- If a site asks for a login, a CAPTCHA or payment details, stop and hand control back to me.
- Ask for my OK before you pay, book, send, submit or cancel anything.
- Check facts that can change (prices, opening hours, dates, availability, rules) against the official source, and tell me anything you couldn't verify.
- Start your reply by restating: solo traveller, dates, budget, and must-dos.

Output: A day-by-day plan with times, travel between stops, costs, and a short list of things you'd change in my original plan.

You'll know it worked when: nothing in the plan assumes a partner or group, and each day is doable without rushing.

Before you finish: re-read my goal and constraints, check your answer against each one, and list anything you assumed or couldn't confirm.

Source

https://www.xda-developers.com/let-claude-chatgpt-gemini-plan-my-vacation/