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Community-Based Travel

After 8+ years of traveling the world and staying in everything from jungle huts to high-end wellness retreats, I’ve learned that my most powerful travel moments have happened in community. Not just solo adventures…but hiking ridgelines with strangers who became lifelong friends… sharing stories with locals over home-cooked meals… sitting in circle at retreats that cracked something open.

This section is for travelers who want more than just a vacation. It’s for those seeking shared experiences, meaningful connection, and travel that transforms—with others by your side. From mainstream destinations in North America and Europe to off-the-beaten-path spots in Southeast Asia and South America, we’ve got you covered here.

What You’ll Find Here…

✨ Retreats That Go Beyond Wellness

I’ve joined transformational retreats around the world – from Icelandic cold plunges to deep mindset work in Costa Rica. Whether you’re after healing, clarity, or creativity, the right retreat can shift your entire direction. And the people you meet along the way are often just as important as the location!

🏕️ Group Travel with Purpose

Traveling with others doesn’t mean giving up depth. I’ve explored Morocco, Patagonia, and Guatemala through curated group tours where you connect with both the place and the people. The right group experience balances adventure, reflection, and real bonding.

🏡 Homestays & Local Immersions

Community-based travel also means staying with families in small villages, sharing stories across cultures, and understanding a place through the eyes of someone who calls it home. I’ve experienced this in the Andes, the Balkans, and Southeast Asia…and those nights around the table stick with me.

🏠 Coliving & Coworking Abroad

From creative coliving homes in Portugal to jungle coworking setups in Central America, these experiences let you live and work alongside people chasing freedom. You build friendships, ideas, even businesses, while still exploring somewhere new.

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Hey, I'm Jon! Founder of Global Viewpoint

I’m an award-winning travel blogger, and I’m here to help you discover your inner explorer.

For 8 years, I’ve been a travel writer, content creator, and adventure junkie who’s visited 69 countries and 30 national parks (and counting). I travel for 3–6 months per year and my home base is Boston, MA!

I specialize in curated travel itineraries, epic bucket-list experiences, and off-the-beaten-path adventures...from chasing waterfalls in Iceland to hiking the Alps, trekking Patagonia, and road-tripping across New England. I’ve been featured in major publications including Forbes, HuffPost, Yahoo Travel, The Boston Globe, and more.

Together with my team, we provide expert reviews and curated guides on hotels, restaurants, airlines, retreats, and more.

Over the past 8+ years, I’ve helped over 10 million readers plan smarter, more meaningful trips through my site. I focus on places that spark awe...whether it’s a remote alpine lake, a hidden glamping dome, or a culturally immersive retreat.

Want to travel like a local, not a tourist? You’re in the right place. Sign up below for expert travel tips, itineraries, and bucket list ideas that will inspire your next adventure.

READ MORE ABOUT ME

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    Transformational Travel ✈️
    Adventure 🗺️ • Growth 🌱 • Wellness 🧘‍♂️
    Helping you find your next life-changing trip ⬇️

    So inspired walking through Samarkand, a city that So inspired walking through Samarkand, a city that once rivaled Rome and Babylon in the ancient world 🌍✨ This was a key stop on the legendary Silk Road, where East met West and ideas, culture, and goods flowed for centuries.

Standing here, it’s wild to think Alexander the Great once conquered this land, Genghis Khan swept through centuries later, and then Timur rebuilt it into the crown jewel of his empire. He brought in the best artisans from Persia and beyond, leaving behind the turquoise domes and mosaics that still define Samarkand’s skyline.

What makes Registan Square so special is the Islamic architecture…massive turquoise domes, intricate mosaics, and endless geometric patterns that symbolize infinity and divine order. They’re designed to pull your gaze upward and remind you of something greater.

Uzbekistan only really opened up for tourism around 2019, which makes it feel fresh and undiscovered. And September is the perfect time to visit…the summer heat is fading, and evenings are ideal for wandering the plazas.

Today, Samarkand is more well-known than most places in Central Asia, but it’s still underrated and overlooked, especially among travelers from the US.

If you’re chasing history and wonder, this city definitely deserves a spot on your list. 🇺🇿

#Samarkand #AncientWorld #Registan #Madrasa #IslamicArchitecture #SilkRoad #Uzbekistan #CentralAsia #BeautifulDestinations #uzbekistantravel
    Did you know the yurt is so important in Kyrgyz cu Did you know the yurt is so important in Kyrgyz culture that it’s literally on the country’s flag? 🇰🇬

I just spent 3 days on horseback riding to Song Kol Lake 🐎⛰️ Each night, I stayed in a traditional yurt, and honestly, it was one of the highlights of the trip. Quite different than the glamping we have back in the States!

From the outside they look simple, but yurts are brilliantly practical. Nomadic families can take them down and reassemble them in just a few hours, moving with their herds across the mountains. Inside, they’re well-insulated and full of colorful patterns that make them feel alive. 🎨✨ 

It reminded me a bit of the tipis used by Native American tribes - both designs born from necessity & built to withstand the elements while staying portable. But here in Central Asia, yurts are still very much part of everyday nomadic life, not just a cultural symbol.

After long days of riding through valleys and high passes, falling asleep in one of these under a sky filled with stars felt timeless 🌌

What’s the most unique place you’ve ever spent the night? 🛖
    Just wrapped up a 3-day horseback adventure in Kyr Just wrapped up a 3-day horseback adventure in Kyrgyzstan 🐎⛰️ with @songkol_travel, starting from the tiny village of Kyzart, about 4 hours from the capital, Bishkek. 🇰🇬

Kyrgyzstan is 90% mountains, and riding through its valleys and high passes honestly feels like stepping into another world. We rode 4–5 hours each day, crossing sweeping alpine meadows and mountain ridges that seemed to stretch forever. Each night, we stayed with nomadic families in yurts, warmed by endless cups of tea and stories (and singing) by the fire. Sleeping under skies so bright with stars they looked painted on the heavens was unreal. ✨ 

Fun fact: horses are so central to Kyrgyz culture that there are more horses here than cars in some regions. They’re part of daily life, woven into the culture and traditions. Song Kol Lake, our destination, sits over 3,000 meters high, making it one of the most breathtaking alpine lakes in Central Asia. 🌍

Kyrgyzstan is such a hidden gem. Few places let you disconnect this deeply while immersing yourself in raw landscapes and timeless nomadic traditions. For me, this was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve ever had. Check out my stories for more highlights from the adventure 🤠🐎 

#kyrgyzstan #kyrgyz #songkul #kyrgyzstan🇰🇬
    Gamarjoba from Georgia! 🇬🇪 One of the last t Gamarjoba from Georgia! 🇬🇪 One of the last true hidden gems of adventure travel. Five days in, and this country keeps hitting me with new reasons to love it.

Up in the Caucasus Mountains, just a few hours north of Tbilisi, sits Kazbegi - one of the most pristine nature areas of the country. 

Today I hiked past the famous Gergeti Trinity Church and up toward the glacier overlook, where horses wandered freely and wild dogs followed along like loyal guides. The air was crisp, the peaks dramatic, and it felt like the mountains themselves were alive. 🏔️

Early September is the sweet spot here: crisp alpine air, decent weather, and trails that you don’t have to share with the crowds. It’s just you, the mountains, and silence broken only by the wind.

I’ve barely scratched the surface, and I’m hooked. From wandering the old streets of Tbilisi to drinking the world’s oldest wine and hitting a food festival in Borjomi, there’s so much more I’ll be sharing soon. I’m a few days behind, but trust me, it’ll be worth the wait. Stay tuned! 🇬🇪

#georgiatravel #kazbegi #hiddengems
    History has always been my greatest inspiration. F History has always been my greatest inspiration. From the pyramids of Giza to the ruins of Tikal, the streets of Ancient Rome and Greece, and the old city walls of China, I’ve never stopped chasing the wisdom of the ancients. 🏛️⛩️

Their castles, temples, and traditions remind me how much we can learn from those who came before us…and it’s one of the reasons I started Global Viewpoint over 8 years ago. 🏰🌍 

I’ve got a new journey coming up soon…one that will take me deep into the crossroads of civilizations, where so much ancient knowledge and culture still lives on. Not many travelers make it there today, but it’s been calling me for years. Any guesses where I’m headed next? 👀
    Finding freedom in the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴✨ Finding freedom in the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴✨

Two years ago, I explored the Faroe Islands - surrounded by foggy cliffs, crashing waves, and crisp air.

Not exactly what summer looks like in most places… but this wild, moody place lit something up in me.

No crowds. No noise. Just cliffs, wind, and freedom.

It reminded me: it’s not just about chasing epic moments…it’s about the quiet ones.
Laying barefoot on the damp earth. Breathing in the cold. Watching puffins fly through misty cliffs. Feeling alive.

Send this to someone who’d pick this over city lights ⛰️🌊 

#FaroeIslands #Wanderlust #ChasingViews #NatureTherapy #RemotePlaces #MinimalTravel #bucketlist #SimpleFreedom #OffTheGrid #ChaseStillness #VisitFaroeIslands #FaroeIslandsNature #FaroeIslandsTravel #HikingAdventures  #MindfulTravel #SlowTravel #FindYourCalm #GroundedInNature
    Summer in Europe looks like this… Aperol Spritz Summer in Europe looks like this…

Aperol Spritz and pizza in a sunny piazza. 
Salt in your hair after a boat day off the Croatian coast. 
Linen shirts, scooters, and stone alleyways.
Espresso on a quiet balcony as the city wakes up.
Gelato for lunch…because why not?
Golden hour wine in Paris.
Twilight that never ends in the fjords.
Wildflowers in bloom above the Alps.

Late dinners, slow mornings, and sunsets that last forever. 🌅

This is what it feels like to chase summer across Europe 🏍️✨

👉 Send this to that group chat who always says “we should go.” 🌍

#EuropeTravel #SummerInEurope #Wanderlust #TravelInspo #MediterraneanVibes #EuropeanSummer #BucketListAdventures #TravelGoals #CoastalViews #OldTownCharm #SunsetLovers #AperolSpritzSeason #ScenicViews #DreamTrip #HiddenGems #SlowTravel #PostcardPlaces #jetsetlife #TravelMore #ExploreEurope
    May is prime time for Yosemite 🌄 Towering gran May is prime time for Yosemite 🌄

Towering granite cliffs. Roaring waterfalls. Lush green meadows. Giant sequoias. Its nature turned up to 11…and it’s one of my favorite national parks for a reason 🇺🇸

Right now, everything’s alive. The waterfalls are insane from all the snowmelt (Yosemite Falls is next level), and wildflowers are starting to pop. Mornings are crisp, afternoons are sunny, and best of all…no summer crowds yet 🙌 

May is that sweet spot: perfect weather, peak waterfall season, and fewer people. If you’ve never been, this is the time of year to go. You’ll feel small in the best way.

Swipe to see the wildlife I saw on the trail!! 🐻🦌 

#YosemiteNationalPark #YosemiteInMay #WaterfallSeason #NationalParksUSA #NatureLovers #HikingAdventures #SpringTravel #GetOutside #WanderlustCalifornia #ExploreMore #FindYourPark #BucketListTravel #yosemite #yosemitevalley
    D O M I N I C A 🏝️🇩🇲 Just wrapped up D O M I N I C A 🏝️🇩🇲 

Just wrapped up 6 days in Dominica - and wow, this island is one of the Caribbean’s best-kept secrets. Wild hikes, hidden waterfalls, volcanic hot springs… if you’re craving raw, untouched nature, this is the place. No resorts, just rainforest. 🙌
    Imagine an island where rainforest waterfalls outn Imagine an island where rainforest waterfalls outnumber hotels & beaches…Welcome to Dominica! 🇩🇲

Known as the “Nature Island of the Caribbean,” this wild, volcanic gem is dripping in waterfalls, hot springs, and untouched rainforest. No mega-resorts. No crowds. Just raw, untamed beauty. It’s a place where the earth still breathes, and you can feel it under your feet.

I stayed in Roseau, the small capital city on the coast, and it turned out to be the perfect launch pad for adventure. Just 15 minutes from two of Dominica’s most iconic waterfalls, this laid-back town made exploring the island incredibly easy. And unlike other Caribbean hotspots, Dominica isn’t swarmed with cruise ships every day…so you get quiet pockets of time when it feels like you have the island to yourself.

If you’re chasing real adventure, untouched beauty, and the feeling of discovering something sacred, Dominica is it! 🇩🇲🏝️⛰️ 

#Dominica #NatureIsland #HiddenGems #travelvlog #caribbeanvibes #caribbeanvacation #discoverdominica
    S A I N T L U C I A 🇱🇨🏝️ This island S A I N T  L U C I A 🇱🇨🏝️

This island will ruin all other Caribbean vacations for you...in the best way. Twin volcanic peaks (the Pitons) rise straight out of the sea like something out of a dream. Black sand beaches. Jungle waterfalls. Sulfur springs. Hidden coves. And sunsets that’ll stop you in your tracks. 🌅

It’s raw. It’s romantic. It’s wild. You can soak in a volcanic mud bath by morning, hike a rainforest trail by noon, and sip rum punch cliffside as the sun melts behind the Pitons.

But let me tell you - getting around St. Lucia is an adventure in itself. We rented a car and the driving was intense…twisty, narrow roads full of blind turns & somehow that just added to the thrill.

Another highlight: staying in a villa surrounded by jungle. By day, I’d float in a pool overlooking layers of rainforest, with nothing but bird songs and the distant hum of tree frogs. At night, the stars lit up the sky above the jungle canopy 🌌

I cracked open fresh coconuts, drank the water straight from the source, and foraged the land for mangoes, papayas, zucchini, and bananas. Not your typical beach vacation! 🥥

St. Lucia is for those who want beauty and depth. Luxury and adventure. Chill and adrenaline. I will definitely be back! 🏝️🇱🇨

#saintlucia #caribbean #stlucia #beautifuldestinations #sugarbeachviceroy #caribbeanlife #caribbeantravel
    Last month, I helped facilitate another transforma Last month, I helped facilitate another transformational retreat in Iceland - and I’m still taking it all in. 

There’s nothing easy about this kind of work. For a week, we step away from our usual comforts…no phone, no inbox, no mask on. Just nature, unpredictable elements, and each other.

And in that space, something incredible happens.

I watched people shed layers they didn’t even know they were carrying. I saw courage in every cold plunge, vulnerability in every story shared, and resilience on every mountain hike. Some confronted emotions they’d buried for years. Others rediscovered parts of themselves they thought were long gone.

These aren’t just “nice moments.” They are the breakthroughs that change the course of people’s lives. I’ve seen it over and over again- people coming on these experiences and going home a completely different person.

And as a facilitator, it’s an honor to hold space for this…to witness people show up raw, real, and ready to meet themselves fully. It’s why I choose to do this work a few times each year. It fills me with purpose and reminds me what matters most — community, courage, and connection.

There is nothing quite like watching someone come alive again.

Iceland, you did it again.
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    Thanks for checking out my travel blog! I hope my content sparks your inner explorer and makes you a smarter traveler!

     

    To learn about my story as a travel blogger, check out the About Me page. For business inquiries and potential collaboration opportunities, please refer to my Work With Me page or contact me at jon@myglobalviewpoint.com.

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    Global Viewpoint
    • Home
    • Guides
    • Destinations
      • North America
      • Europe
      • Asia
      • South America
      • Africa
      • Oceania
    • Travel Tips
      • How I Plan My Trips in 2025
      • My Favorite Travel Websites
      • How to Start a Travel Blog
      • Travel Hacks for Flying
      • Most Essential Travel Apps
      • Travel Photography Tips
      • Tips To Save Money on Travel
      • Why Buy Travel Insurance?
      • My Best Travel Blogging Tips in 2025
    • About Me
      • Who is Jon?
      • Work With Me
      • Contact Me
      • Press
    • My Shop
    • Travel News
    Copyright ©2025 | Global Viewpoint Travel Blog

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