Artificial Intelligence has its ups and down, its benefits and drawbacks.
As a writer and photographer we hate the fact that AI is ‘scraping’ individual creativity and splurging it out as ‘art’.
But as website owners, we know AI and the algorithms rule, so we have to play the AI game once in a while.
But is AI useful for travel planning?
Hmm.. we think not. Well at least, not yet.
Has AI ever influenced your travel plans?
We ran a little experiment to see what AI suggested for 48 hours in Brighton, our home city.
Here’s what it said – and what we, as locals, thought of AI’s suggestions.
Day 1: Arrival and Exploration
Morning:
- Breakfast at The Flour Pot Bakery: Start your day with freshly baked pastries and coffee at this popular local bakery.
Not a bad beginning, but which one? There are 8 Flour Pot Bakeries in Brighton and Hove, so we assume AI wants us to begin with the most central one on Brighton Beach, or possibly the one in Sydney Street in North Laine. Flour Pot does have some lovely cakes and pastries, but in our experience don’t have a huge range of vegan/dairy free options.
- Brighton Beach and Brighton Pier: Take a leisurely stroll along the iconic pebble beach. Explore the Brighton Pier with its amusement rides, arcade games, and stunning views of the coastline.
Okay so yes, the beach is very pebbly (which disappoints some visitors!) and the pier is historic and a famous landmark. What AI hasn’t highlighted is there is now a £1 admission charge at peak visiting times, unless you are under two years old or have a Brighton and Hove residents card.
Late Morning:
- Royal Pavilion: Visit the Royal Pavilion, a former royal residence with an exotic design inspired by Indian and Chinese architecture. The interiors are just as lavish and fascinating.
Absolutely. The Pavilion is a must for first-time visitors, but we reckon you need at least a couple of hours to do it justice and make the most of the entry price.
- Brighton Museum and Art Gallery: Located in the Pavilion Gardens, this museum features a wide range of exhibits, including fine art, fashion, and local history.
Again yes, great museum, packed with local history. It’s near the Pavilion and could easily be combined as AI suggests, but the schedule is too tight to get the most out of either attraction.
Lunch:
- The Lanes: Head to The Lanes, a maze of narrow streets lined with quirky shops, cafes, and restaurants. Have lunch at one of the charming eateries such as The Ivy in the Lanes.
Again good idea – although you may be lunching late! The Lanes are great for high-end shopping and restaurants, but they come with a price tag. The Ivy is popular, but we think there are far better lunch options in the area, including independent cafés and our own favourite, Curry Leaf Cafe in Ship Street.
Afternoon:
- Shopping in The Lanes and North Laine: Spend the afternoon exploring the unique shops and boutiques in The Lanes and North Laine, an area known for its bohemian vibe and vintage stores.
Our advice? Window shop in The Lanes and buy in North Laine! More independent, quirky shops and a host of eateries to suit every taste.
Evening:
- Dinner at The Coal Shed: Enjoy a delicious dinner at The Coal Shed, known for its grilled meats and seafood.
Never eaten there, and it’s very meat-focused for my veggie preferences, but it gets mostly good reviews. But why come to Brighton and eat in a London-based franchise? Plenty of other, small restaurants to choose from in the city centre plus the takewaways on Preston Street – known in our house as ‘The Street of a Thousand Snack Bars’!
- Nightlife: Experience Brighton’s vibrant nightlife. Visit a local pub like The Mesmerist or head to a live music venue such as Concorde 2.
We’ll give AI brownie points for this. The Mesmerist is a lively pub in The Lanes and Concorde 2 is legendary. Just keep an eye out for other, smaller venues in pubs and there’s a thriving theatre scene away from the bigger places like The Dome, Theatre Royal, and Komedia.
Even outside the Brighton Festival month of May, there’s plenty to do at night.
All night if that’s your fancy!
Day 2: Culture and Relaxation
Morning:
- Breakfast at Bill’s Brighton: Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Bills, offering a wide range of breakfast options.
Bill’s in North Road is a good choice, but again, why go to a chain restaurant? Assuming you have the appetite and the budget, we suggest heading for The Lanes again. Whilst most of the shops there don’t open until late morning, cafés like 17grams, Lost in the Lanes and The Post House open their doors at 9 am.
- Brighton Marina: Take a short trip to Brighton Marina, which offers shopping, dining, and beautiful views of the boats and the sea. You can even rent a bike and explore the area on two wheels.
Okay so this is a bit of AI madness! Here you are, in the heart of Brighton, and it suggests a trek out to The Marina. Even wierder, the next suggestion is a ride on the Volks Railway which runs from the central seafront area almost as far as The Marina – so you’d be doubling back!
Skip this one, unless you love looking at moored boats, in which case, go to Brighton Marina early evening the night before. Have a round of neon-glow-in-the-dark golf and a cocktail or two at Globalls.
Late Morning:
- Volk’s Electric Railway: Ride the historic Volk’s Electric Railway, enjoying the coastal views along the way.
It’s low speed, low tech and absolutely deightful. Do it!
- SEA LIFE Brighton: Visit the SEA LIFE Centre, the world’s oldest operating aquarium, to see fascinating marine life and underwater exhibits.
Another great suggestion, especially if the weather turns a bit damp! The building is fascinating as are the exhibits. But again, you won’t be able to see it all before lunch.
Slow down, AI, slow down!
Lunch:
- English’s of Brighton: Head back to the city center (sic – AI is clearly American!) for lunch at English’s of Brighton, a renowned seafood restaurant with a long history.
Brighton is a coastal town, but it hasn’t been a fishing village for centuries, and the oyster beds are long gone. Seafood is not fresher or more varied here than anywhere else, but English’s do buy localy, although their oysters are from Lindisfarne!
There are plenty of other choices along the seafront boardwalk and the newly restored Shelter Hall has a great street food market.
If fish is your thing, drop in at the Fishing Museum instead, it’s free but you can leave a donation.
Afternoon:
- Brighton Palace Gardens: Relax in the Pavilion Gardens, enjoy the serene environment, and maybe have a picnic if the weather is nice.
Okay, stroll through the gardens, listen to the buskers and watch the squirrels. It’s okay, but not highest on our list of ‘must do’ spots.
- Brighton Open Market: Explore the Open Market on London Road, where you can find local produce, crafts, and unique gifts.
Nice to see AI including something less mainstream. The Open Market is fun and full of interesting stalls BUT it’s a brisk 20 minute walk from the Pavilion Gardens, along a busy bus-and-car filled road.
Although you will catch some great street art en route.
Evening:
- Dinner at Riddle & Finns: Dine at Riddle & Finns, famous for its seafood and champagne.
What is this obsesssion AI has with fish? Beside the seaside, fish and chips is traditional, but a takeaway is probably more authentic. Just watch out for the seagulls!
- Brighton Wheel or i360: End your trip with a ride on the Brighton Wheel or the British Airways i360 for breathtaking panoramic views of the city and the coastline.
Ooops, out of date info! The Brighton Wheel was a temporary attraction, dismantled in 2016!
The i360 – or the Big Grey Pole as we call it – does offer a ‘flight’ up to 450 feet with views of the sea and the city behind. There’s a bar ‘on board’ and an interesting video of how it came to be built, but otherwise it’s a bit dull tbh. Oh and it’s no longer sponsored by BA.
We also asked AI for more specific suggestions – one for a family of four with two children under the age of 12, the other for a retired couple.
48 hours in Brighton for families
Very similar suggestions and one big blooper. ‘The kids can enjoy the sandy beach.. ‘ Err no, not even at low tide!
Most of the meal suggestions were for pizza chains or fast food.
Playtime at Queens Park sounds a good idea if you want to get away from the sea, but it is a twenty minute walk and, although pretty, probably can’t compete with the funfair on the pier.
Pleased to see the suggestion for the Brighton Toy and Model Museum, though we suspect its emphasis on nostalgia is more attractive to the grown-ups. It has a lovely selection of old penny slot machines, which bring back all sorts of memories for those of a certain era!
48 hours in Brighton for oldies
Pretty much the same content, but the word ‘leisurely’ came up a lot more frequently!
AI suggests lunch at The Grand, but surprisingly no mention of Afternoon Tea, that most leisurely of experiences (if you can afford it!)
One addition we were glad to see was Preston Manor, a delightful Edwardian family home full of ghost stories and secrets. It is a little way out of the city (not easily walkable from the centre, but well served by buses) and is only open at weekends throughout the summer. But the AI description of ‘a fascinating glimpse into Brighton’s past’ is accurate.
Additional things AI thinks we should know:
• Public Transport: Brighton has excellent public transport links, including buses and taxis. Most attractions are within walking distance if you’re staying in the city center (sic).
Agree. It’s a public transport-friendly place. Car parking charges are eye-wateringly high!
• Weather: Check the weather forecast and dress accordingly, as Brighton’s coastal location can make the weather unpredictable.
Got this one bang on AI! You can always tell the locals from the tourists – they will have an extra layer on hand whatever the season. Brighton has a brisk breeze and often a sea fret rolls in, leaving day-trippers from London shivering in their beachwear in the middle of summer!
• Local Events: Check for local events, festivals, or special exhibitions happening during your visit to make your trip even more exciting.
Not exactly rocket science, you’d do this for any destination.
Wouldn’t you?
Coming to Brighton soon?
We hope you have a fabulous time.
Just don’t rely on AI for your schedule!
All photographs copyright © John Heinrich/rosemaryandporkbelly
Where to next?
• Charleston Farmhouse
• Rottingdean, home of mystery, music and murder
• Walking St Ives, Houghton and The Hemingfords