travel-planner

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• SKILL.md

SKILL.md (first lines)

# Travel Planner

Comprehensive travel planning frameworks for destination research, itinerary building, budget tracking, and logistics coordination.

## Destination Research Methodology

### Destination Evaluation Matrix

| Factor | Weight | Assessment Criteria |
|--------|--------|-------------------|
| **Climate** | 15% | Temperature range, rainfall, best season, weather risks |
| **Safety** | 20% | Travel advisories, crime index, health risks, political stability |
| **Budget Fit** | 20% | Cost of living index, flight cost, accommodation range |
| **Interest Alignment** | 25% | Activities, culture, cuisine, nature, nightlife match |
| **Logistics** | 10% | Visa requirements, flight duration, language barrier |
| **Timing** | 10% | Peak vs shoulder vs off-season, local events, holidays |

### Research Protocol

```
1. DEFINE: Trip purpose, travel dates, group size, budget ceiling
2. SHORTLIST: 3-5 destinations matching purpose and budget
3. EVALUATE: Score each destination on the matrix above (1-10 per factor)
4. VALIDATE: Check visa requirements, travel advisories, vaccination needs
5. DECIDE: Weighted score comparison, gut-check alignment
```

### Climate and Timing Guide

| Season Strategy | Benefit | Trade-off |
|----------------|---------|-----------|
| **Peak season** | Best weather, full services | Highest prices, crowds |
| **Shoulder season** | Good weather, fewer crowds | Some closures possible |
| **Off-season** | Lowest prices, authentic feel | Weather risk, limited services |

## Itinerary Structure

### Daily Timeline Template

```
DAY [N] — [Theme/Location Name]

07:00  Breakfast: [Venue/Hotel] — [Notes]
08:30  Activity: [Morning activity] — [Duration: Xh]
       Address: [Location]
       Cost: $XX | Booking: [Required/Walk-in]
12:00  Lunch: [Restaurant] — [Cuisine type, $-$$$$]
13:30  Activity: [Afternoon activity] — [Duration: Xh]
       Address: [Location]
       Cost: $XX | Booking: [Required/Walk-in]
17:00  Free time / Rest
19:00  Dinner: [Restaurant] — [Cuisine type, $-$$$$]
       Reservation: [Yes/No, confirmation #]
21:00  Evening: [Optional activity or return to hotel]

TRANSPORT: [How to get between locations]
DAY TOTAL: $XXX
NOTES: [Tips, alternatives, weather contingency]
```

### Itinerary Pacing Guidelines

| Trip Duration | Pace | Activities/Day | Rest Days |
|--------------|-------|----------------|-----------|
| **3-4 days** | Moderate-fast | 2-3 major | 0 |
| **5-7 days** | Moderate | 2 major + 1 minor | 1 |
| **8-14 days** | Relaxed | 1-2 major | 2-3 |
| **15+ days** | Slow travel | 1 major | Every 3-4 days |

### Multi-Destination Routing

```
ROUTING OPTIMIZATION:

LINEAR: A → B → C → D (best for one-way flights, trains)
LOOP: A → B → C → A (best for round-trip flights)
HUB-SPOKE: A → B → A → C → A (best for day trips from a base)
FIGURE-8: A → B → C → A → D → E → A (two loops from home base)

ROUTING RULES:
- Minimize backtracking
- Place high-energy activities early in trip
- End with relaxation before travel home
- Account for jet lag direction (east = harder adjustment)
- Allocate transit days between destinations (no activities)
```

## Budget Planning Framework

### Budget Category Breakdown

| Category | Budget % | Tracking Method |
|----------|----------|----------------|
| **Flights** | 25-35% | Book 6-8 weeks ahead, price alerts |
| **Accommodation** | 25-35% | Per-night rate x nights |
| **Food & Dining** | 15-20% | Per-day allowance x days |
| **Activities** | 10-15% | Pre-book major, cash for minor |
| **Local Transport** | 5-10% | Day pass vs per-ride calculation |
| **Contingency** | 10% | Emergency fund, minimum $200 |

### Budget Estimation Template

```
TRIP BUDGET: [Destination], [Duration] days, [N] travelers

FIXED COSTS:
  Flights:          $_____ x [N] travelers = $_____
  Accommodation:    $_____ x [N] nights    = $_____
  Travel Insurance: $_____ x [N] travelers = $_____
  Visa Fees:        $_____ x [N] travelers = $_____

DAILY COSTS (per person, per day):
  Breakfast:        $_____
  Lunch:            $_____
  Dinner:           $_____
  Local Transport:  $_____
  Activities:       $_____
  Snacks/Drinks:    $_____
  Daily subtotal:   $_____ x [D] days x [N] = $_____

From travisjneuman/.claude, MIT.

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