Yes, they're fun! I firmly believe in getting my feet on the ground my characters will be walking on, both literally and figuratively. Nothing like being there to make it more real and detailed in your head and make the setting a part of the story. Even if what I'm writing is set in another time and all the buildings will be different etc., just getting a feel for the layout, the distances, the landscape and such makes it easier. And indeed, you see the places very differently then and pay attention to different things.

Sorry you woke up with a sore throat. Hope it goes away soon and doesn't make you very sick. And uh, cleaning when you're not feeling well is even less fun than cleaning usually is. But wow, that's quite a productive writing stint despite your troubles! That's great!