I tried an online concierge service that solves the most stressful part of traveling for only $25 a day

Based on his follow-up questions, it was clear that this was still very much my vacation. Here are some of the questions he asked:

• Are you a "see it all" type traveler, or do you prefer a more leisurely pace?
• Are there any sights, restaurants, or activities you know for sure you want to fit in? You can also let me know of any existing restaurants or plans so I can add them to your itinerary for you.
• I see you've been to NYC before, so I'll assume you'd like to skip the major tourist destinations (e.g., Central Park, The Met, MOMA, 9/11 Memorial, Empire State Building, Times Square) and instead focus on more local spots. Let me know if there's something on your bucket list you haven't ticked off yet, or wouldn't mind returning to.
• What mix of upscale vs. casual dining would you prefer? We could perhaps do one upscale meal and keep the rest casual. Let me know if that works.

From the first time my concierge emailed me to when I received my itinerary, the process took five days. Obviously depending on your own response times, the length of your trip, and other factors, this can change.

If your intended trip is set to start in less than 72 hours, you’ll be charged a rush fee of $25 per day of your trip. Journy will confirm within 12 hours or less that it will be able to deliver your itinerary in time, or you’ll receive a full refund.

In the end, you're completely encouraged to express what you want out of your trip. The Journy service includes two rounds of full edits on the first itinerary you receive, so you have plenty of opportunity to send feedback.

My concierge Dave told me, "Some of the hardest parts of my job are helping people plan a trip who really don't even know what they are interested in. When people tell me exactly what they like to do and what foods they like to eat, I get started right down the best path. When it is all up in the air, the challenge of figuring out what the traveler would like becomes a puzzle within itself."

It's organized chronologically by day, but also compiles all the activity options and drinks and dining options into separate sections.

While you can view your itinerary on a desktop, mobile-friendliness is essential, since you're not likely to whip out your laptop as you're on the go. If you have an iPhone, you can download the free Journy app. If you have an Android, just follow the browser link your concierge provides you.

I have an Android so you'll be seeing the non-app experience. While there are some differences, the basic premise is the same.

One big part of travel planning that always gives me a headache is arranging all of my picks in a way that chronologically, geographically, and thematically makes sense. Getting the order right so I don't waste time and money by backtracking is important to me, and I also want to make sure there's enough emotional and physical variety in the day. I gladly handed this challenging balance to my concierge to take over.

If you tap on the small car icon, you can quickly toggle through other transportation options like public transportation and walking. Clicking on "Directions" brings you to the Google Maps app, with all the fields pre-filled for you.

I love eating ethnic cuisines, trying craft cocktails, going to interesting museums, and experiencing neighborhoods through the lens of a local. I got all of that in my itinerary, and my concierge even provided a series of extra recommendations that I can't wait to visit soon.

My concierge Dave told me that he primarily plans trips for New York City, Los Angeles, and London, all of which are cities that he's lived in. Before joining Journy, Dave was the "avid restaurant and art fiend" who would always tell his friends and family where to eat and what to see. That background, combined with a degree and job experiences in hospitality, was evident in the itinerary he created for me.

The satisfied travelers who experienced the "best meal of their life" thanks to their concierge would agree with me when I say that Journy is completely worth it. Travel has never been more enjoyable than with the service, and I'm happy to say my days of 20-tab online research are now over.