I Didn't Understand AI. I Decided to Learn Anyway.

A year ago, if you'd told me I'd be building my own travel app, I probably would have laughed.

Good grief! I was still trying to figure out what all this artificial intelligence stuff was about!

I certainly wasn't someone with a background in technology. Before becoming a travel advisor, I'd spent 14 years running my own catering business. It had been a long time since I'd worked in a traditional office environment, and although I used computers for everyday things, building an app wasn't even on my radar.

But I was curious.

And I've always believed that just because you don't know how to do something doesn't mean you can't learn.

It Started With a Willingness to Learn

Last December, Lloyd and I flew to Miami and boarded a Holland America cruise for an experience called Khachella.

This wasn't an ordinary vacation or a typical travel advisor training cruise. I'd made an investment in learning from Kha Ly about creating content, reaching people beyond my existing followers, and making my travel business more visible.

I didn't know anyone on that ship except Lloyd.

But I went because I wanted to learn.

And I came home with more than new ideas. I made friendships with other travel advisors who were learning right alongside me. We still encourage one another, share what we're discovering, and celebrate each other's wins.

That was an unexpected blessing.

A couple of months later, I attended Creator's Cut, where something else really clicked for me.

Storytelling.

I had years of travel photographs, videos, memories, and experiences. But I began realizing that sharing a beautiful picture wasn't always enough.

There was a story behind that picture.

And I needed to learn how to tell it.

So I started practicing. I created reels, shared travel stories, experimented with new ideas, and even became more comfortable talking on camera.

Was everything perfect? Absolutely not!

But I was learning by doing.

Then an Idea Started Taking Shape

For a while, I'd been thinking about something I wanted to offer my travelers.

What if they could open something on their phones and find their daily itinerary, destination information, helpful tips, and recommendations all in one place?

I especially liked the idea for my upcoming hosted group trip to Hawaii.

And then I thought about all the little travel memories we forget.

Have you ever visited an amazing restaurant, discovered a wonderful little shop, or tasted something delicious, only to get home and realize you couldn't remember the name of the place?

I certainly have!

I wanted an easy way to take a picture, record a quick thought, and save those little details while I was actually experiencing them.

Not because I wanted to spend my vacation writing a journal.

Quite the opposite. I wanted to enjoy the moment and still be able to remember it later.

The idea had been in my head for a while. But as I kept learning and seeing what was becoming possible with AI, I finally thought:

Why not just try to build it?

So that's what I did.

From an Idea to Something on My Phone

With the help of AI and a platform called Lovable, I started building a prototype of My Adventures | Travel With Gina Renée.

It has destination information, journey details, favorite places, and a feature for capturing travel memories with photos and notes.

And the other evening, I was sitting on the couch with Lloyd and our dogs, showing him what I'd been working on.

I took a picture of Bella, recorded a little voice note, and saved it as a memory.

And there it was. On my phone.

I had to laugh.

Something that had been nothing more than an idea was actually working!

Now, don't misunderstand me. I'm not claiming to be a software developer, and the app certainly isn't finished. I'm learning as I go, with plenty of experimenting, troubleshooting, and occasionally wondering what in the world I've gotten myself into!

But I'm doing it.

And that alone is pretty exciting.

Now Comes the Real Test

This week, I'm leaving for an AmaWaterways river cruise along the Danube.

And I'm taking my little prototype along.

I'll be using it as a traveler, capturing moments, saving places I enjoy, and finding out what works and what needs improvement.

I don't know yet whether it will become something I can eventually offer my clients. That's part of what I want to discover.

But think about this.

Last December, I boarded a ship hoping to learn how to share my travel stories with more people.

Now, less than a year later, I'm preparing to board another ship with something I've built to help capture those stories as they happen.

I never would have imagined that when I started.

You Don't Have to Know Everything to Begin

I didn't set out to become an expert in AI.

I just decided I wasn't going to let something I didn't understand stop me from learning.

And I'm grateful for people like Kha Ly, who have encouraged me to keep exploring what's possible, and for the friendships I've made with others who are willing to learn and share along the way.

I think sometimes we convince ourselves we're too old, too busy, or too far behind to try something new.

But you don't have to know everything before you begin.

You just have to be willing to start.

I don't know where all this learning will lead. I still have plenty to figure out.

But I'm certainly glad I started.

And now, I'm off to make a few more travel memories.

Where Every Trip Becomes a Story.

— Gina Renée