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What They Say

by Jon Miksis
Jon Miksis at the Grand Canyon

Look, I’m not usually one to post testimonials…it feels a bit self-promotional. But after eight years of running Global Viewpoint, these messages are honestly what make the work worth it. Especially when I’m knee-deep in edits at 2 AM or completely rewriting an itinerary because I found a better route.

These testimonials really mean the world to me. When someone emails to say they finally booked that trip, or that a random restaurant I mentioned became their favorite meal of the year, it reminds me why I do this. It’s not about the destinations themselves. It’s about giving people the tools and confidence to actually go. They’re proof that sharing honest, experience-driven travel stories can inspire others to see the world with fresh eyes.

Traveler & Reader Testimonials

How Global Viewpoint inspires real journeys.
Here are some quotes from readers who used my guides, booked trips from my tips, or felt motivated to travel somewhere new. Some followed my guides down to a T. Others just used them as a jumping-off point. Either way works for me.

Southwest USA Road Trip

I’d always dreamed of doing a desert road trip, but didn’t know where to start until I found Jon’s Southwest guide. His route from Sedona through Monument Valley and Zion was perfect. It was so scenic, efficient, and full of those quiet moments we’ll never forget. The hotel and hike recs were gold! We even detoured to Horseshoe Bend because of one of his photos. It ended up being one of our favorite memories as a couple.

Danielle & Chris M., Austin, Texas

South America (Argentina, Chile & Colombia)

I’ve followed Jon on Instagram for years, so naturally I had to reach out before planning this big trip. We spent two months backpacking across South America, and honestly, Jon’s South America itinerary became our travel bible. His posts on Patagonia hikes helped us prep properly, and the Colombia coffee region recommendations led us to one of the best stays of our trip. I appreciated how honest and down-to-earth he is. It made the continent feel approachable, not intimidating.

Mateo & Lara G., Madrid, Spain

Iceland Adventure

Jon’s Iceland guide was a game changer for our trip. We followed his Ring Road route almost exactly, covering all the glacier lagoons, fjords, and even soaking in the Sky Lagoon. His tips on timing for waterfalls and northern lights were spot on. It felt like we had a local friend guiding us the whole way. His enthusiasm about Iceland is contagious, and now i see why. I’ve been to 20 countries, and Iceland still stands out thanks to his blog’s advice.

Emma R., Toronto, Canada

Fall Foliage Road Trip (Vermont & New Hampshire)

Your fall foliage itinerary turned our trip into something magical. We went the first week of October and caught peak color, just like you said! The mix of cozy inns, scenic roads, and local cider stops made it feel like a Hallmark movie come to life. It’s rare to find travel advice that feels personal and practical at the same time, but Jon nails it. Love the maps he provided as well, it really made a big difference.

Olivia H., Portland, Oregon

Swiss Alps 2-Week Adventure (by Train)

Jon’s Switzerland itinerary convinced us to see the country by train, and I’m so glad we did!! Every detail, from which rail passes to buy to which small towns to stop in, made the trip quite smooth and easy. His passion for Switzerland jumps off the page. We’d never heard of many towns in the Berner Oberland region before his post, but standing there surrounded by waterfalls was surreal. Easily the best travel experience of our lives.

Lukas & Sabine F., Munich, Germany

West Coast National Parks Road Trip

I found Jon’s West Coast road trip guide while planning a break from work, and it honestly shaped my whole adventure. I then paid him to make a premium guide for my family. We ended up hitting Yosemite, Crater Lake, and Olympic National Park, and every place he recommended was stunning and well laid out. His mix of practical stuff (like drive times and park passes) and personal tips (where to catch sunrise in Yosemite!) made the trip feel effortless. I will definitely reach out to Jon and Global Viewpoint again.

Ryan T., San Diego, California

Central Europe Trip (Germany, Austria, Switzerland)

Jon, My daughter and I had a wonderful time on our trip and we thank you for creating a fantastic itinerary for us.  We appreciated your many helpful hints and recommendations and took advantage of almost all the recommended excursions, tours, etc.  We stayed overnight in a variety of places, some of which were great, some interesting, some absolutely delightful.  Particularly wonderful was the ABNB outside of Oberammergau.  Your help was worth far more than it cost.  Thank you.

Jennifer I., Oklahoma

Philippines Island Hopping Adventure

I’ve been following Jon on TikTok since the pandemic when I was stuck at home and living through his travel videos. He always finds these incredible places I’ve never even heard of and somehow makes me feel like I’m right there with him. Earlier this year I finally planned a trip to the Philippines because of one of his videos, and his advice was spot on, from choosing Siargao to Bohol. Every tip hit. It’s crazy how someone online can actually change the way you travel, but Jon really does.

Natalie W., Seattle, Washington

Transylvania & Romania’s Castles

You’re wonderful to work with, Jon! I bought his Global Viewpoint guide for my trip to Transylvania and it honestly made the whole experience so much better. I ended up visiting a bunch of towns I’d never even heard of but ended up being the highlights of my trip. His restaurant recommendations in Sibiu were next level too. I had one of the best meals I’ve ever had in Europe there (yes, it rivals Italy). You can tell Jon actually spends time exploring, he inspires me.

Alex P., London, UK

Guatemala & Costa Rica

Found Jon’s blog while planning Central America and it became my go-to. His tips for Lake Atitlán and Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula were outstanding. Loved every minute. Jon is an expert trip planner and I’d absolutely hire him to help me again.

Marissa D., Denver, CO

Upstate New York

Your Upstate New York recs were perfect, so cozy, local, and totally my vibe. The small towns around the Finger Lakes blew me away. Now I’m planning a fall trip just to do it all over again.

Jake L., Brooklyn, NY

Greece Honeymoon

We used your Greece guide for our honeymoon and it was unreal. The mix of well-known islands and hidden spots made it feel so special. Your tip about staying in Naousa instead of Oia was clutch. Thanks for everything, Jon!

Sarah & Ben K., Chicago, IL

Jon Miksis

About Jon Miksis

Award-winning Travel Writer • Founder of Global Viewpoint • 70+ countries visited • 10 Million+ readers

Since 2017, I’ve traveled 3–6 months a year, sharing detailed guides that have helped over 10 million readers travel smarter, deeper, and better. My work blends firsthand experiences — from U.S. road trips and cold-plunge cabins to Michelin-starred dining and business-class flights — with honest, independent reviews.

I’ve been hired by leading tourism boards in 7 countries across Europe, North America, and South America, as well as international travel brands. My travel tips and insights have been featured in Forbes, HuffPost, Yahoo Travel, and The Boston Globe. I’ve personally reviewed 500+ hotels, retreats, and flight experiences — and I never recommend a place I wouldn’t return to myself.

I also save $5–10K per year on airfare using flight tools and 10+ travel credit cards, and I’ve invested over $100K into personal development through transformational retreats and coaching since 2021.

When I’m not road-tripping across the Northeast or writing guides for Global Viewpoint, you’ll find me cold plunging in local lakes, sipping espresso in quiet cafes in Vienna, or chasing fall foliage across New England. I split my time between exploring the world and soaking up life in Boston, my lifelong home base. Some of my favorite places I keep going back to? Switzerland, Spain, Iceland, Italy, Greece, the Faroe Islands, Guatemala, California, Montana, Vermont, and coastal Maine in autumn.

See my latest adventures on Instagram and TikTok.

Read more | Editorial Policy | Press Page

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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 73 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.

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    global.viewpoint

    Boston-based travel pro ✈️
    73 countries / 8 years 🌍
    Helping you plan your next life-changing trip 🗺️
    Msg me on WhatsApp for FREE trip advice! 👇

    I did not expect THIS in Uzbekistan. I walked th I did not expect THIS in Uzbekistan. 

I walked through this doorway and suddenly I was standing in Registan Square, completely stunned. The scale, the color, the quiet power of it all feels like stepping into an empire that never really left.

Samarkand is the kind of place that reminds you why you travel in the first place. Big history, unreal beauty, and that rare feeling of seeing something that still feels wildly underrated & absolutely magical. 🕌✨

If you’ve been sleeping on Uzbekistan, this is your sign. 🇺🇿 Save this for your Central Asia list and tell me what spot you want me to cover next.
    Ireland gets me every time. 🍀 You’ll fly into Dub Ireland gets me every time. 🍀

You’ll fly into Dublin, but the real magic starts when I point the car west. The Wild Atlantic Way is hands-down one of my favorite road trips in Europe. 🚗

Galway has my heart, and those cliffs still don’t feel real. The mix of moody coast, green hills, and epic jaw-drop views is exactly my kind of scenery.

And the pub scene? That surprised me the most. I was always an IPA and Belgian ale guy and never cared about Guinness or Irish beer, but being there changed that fast!! 🍻

The small towns are lively, the music hits, and strangers feel like friends in five minutes. Ireland is beautiful, yes, but it’s the people that make it one of Europe’s top destinations. 🇮🇪

#ireland #dublin #wildatlanticway #galway #irelandtravel #europetrip #travelbucketlist #friendstrip #ırıshpub #guinnessstorehouse #cliffsofmoher #europeroadtrip #adventuretraveler #livemusicrocks #ireland_insta #globus
    Winter in Colombia and we ended up trail running i Winter in Colombia and we ended up trail running in Tayrona. @joshuadeanchurch and I were cooked 😅☀️ 

Then we saw the ocean and just went for it.
Barefoot sprint. Sand is lava. Water is heaven. Felt like being a kid again! 

I love Tayrona for this exact kind of reset. Wild beaches, jungle energy, and a feeling of remoteness yet complete connection.

Santa Marta is such an underrated base for it too. Great winter weather, fresh food, friendly people, and easy access to some of Colombia’s prettiest coastline. 🇨🇴

#tayrona #travelbucketlist #tayronanationalpark #travelmemories #colombia🇨🇴 #caribbeantravel #colombiatravel #adventuretravel #wellnesstravel #hiddengem
    This island is the most dramatic place I’ve visite This island is the most dramatic place I’ve visited in the Caribbean 🏝️

Saint Lucia is one of my favorite Caribbean islands, and I’ve been to many over the years. It feels wild, cinematic, and totally unlike anywhere else in the Caribbean.

The Pitons are the main event. Two volcanic giants rising straight out of the sea near Soufrière, roughly 2,400 to 2,600 feet tall, and they make the whole coastline feel unreal. 🙌

If you’re planning winter travel and want a trip that feels completely unique, this is the move. It’s my go-to answer when people ask about the best Caribbean destination!

For a super romantic getaway, stay near Soufrière for the Pitons, jungle energy, and quieter luxury. Sugar Beach is the iconic one, sitting right between the Pitons with a view that’s absolutely magical.

If you want easier beaches, restaurants, and a bit more buzz, go for Rodney Bay. It’s a smoother base if you like mixing chill days with a little nightlife.

Beyond the romantic vacation vibes, you can spend your days on a catamaran, hitting the Sulphur Springs mud baths, and knocking out rainforest or waterfall hikes. It’s equal parts soft and adventurous, which is exactly why it works for couples.

December through April is the sweet spot for drier weather. If you’re eyeing winter 2026, now’s the time to lock in your flights and hotels! Send me a msg on WhatsApp (in bio) for my recommended hotels! 👀🏝️

#saintlucia #caribbeanvibes #stluciahoneymoon #wintervacation #travelblog #caribbeantravel #wintertravel #islandlife #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #caribbeanvacation #2026travelgoals
    This town made me breathe deeper… I opened the cu This town made me breathe deeper…

I opened the curtains and honestly just stood there. Snowy peaks, storybook rooftops, and that inspiring Bavarian mountain energy that feels unreal. 🏔️

It’s Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany 🇩🇪 One of the most magical stops in the Alps, especially in winter! 

I love it because it’s the perfect base for big adventure days and slow, cozy nights. You can chase views at Zugspitze (Germany’s highest mountain), then end the day with a warm meal and a walk through town.

Fun fact: Garmisch-Partenkirchen is technically two towns stitched together (for the 1936 Winter Olympics). Garmisch feels more modern and lively, while Partenkirchen is sleepier…bringing more of that old-world magic.

If you’re building an Alps road trip, add this stop and nearby Mittenwald. I already can’t wait to go back! 🇩🇪 

#garmischpartenkirchen #alps #bavaria #christmasvillage #garmisch #bavarianalps #germanytravel #partenkirchen #alpsroadtrip #zugspitze #mittenwald #europetravel #visitgermany #travelblogger
    POV: Staying in a cozy hotel, watching snow fall o POV: Staying in a cozy hotel, watching snow fall outside your window, then realizing the White Mountains are just steps away… a whole winter wonderland waiting for you to explore. ❄️🏔️ Ahh the Aurora!! The perfect getaway from Boston! #newengland #aurora #visitnh #wintervibes
    POV: you book the cheapest hotel in the White Moun POV: you book the cheapest hotel in the White Mountains…and it secretly comes with a barrel sauna in fresh snow. ❄️🔥

I paid $50/night for this place and stepped into this cozy sauna with that view. My cousin owns it so I’m a little biased 😂 but this has to be one of the best winter stays for under $100 🏔️

Save this for your next cozy getaway and send it to the friend you’d drag here! 😎

#whitemountains #newhampshire #uniquehotels #wintergetaway #budgettravel #visitnh
    One of the most beautiful towns in Europe…Český Kr One of the most beautiful towns in Europe…Český Krumlov, Czechia 🇵🇭✨

Tucked into a bend of the Vltava in South Bohemia, about two hours from Prague, it feels like a real-life storybook. Every cobblestone street, every pastel facade, the castle watching over it all. 🏰

I visited in 2021 and it honestly didn’t feel real. Most old towns have one pretty square. Here, every street looks like a postcard! 📸 

Save this for your next Europe trip and tag who you’re bringing to Český Krumlov 🇨🇿✨

#ceskykrumlov #europetravel #travelbucketlist #learningnewthings #hiddengems
    Island hopping in the Philippines sounds fun. No o Island hopping in the Philippines sounds fun. No one told me it could feel like this…

Last winter I swapped New England gray for 7 islands in the Philippines, and honestly, I’m still not over it. Mornings were for workouts and deep work on my laptop, afternoons were for salt water, sunsets, and meeting people from all over the world.

The Philippines has over 7,600 islands, and you feel that variety every day. One week I was surfing in Siargao, the next I was chasing waterfalls and eerie legends in Siquijor, then scootering past (foggy) chocolate hills and hidden beaches in Bohol. Every island has its own energy, and there’s just so much to see!!

If you’re craving a tropical winter getaway where you can actually live well, not just vacation, put the Philippines at the top of your list. 🇵🇭 Come for the beaches and island hopping. Stay for the lifestyle, the kindness, and that feeling of “wait, why don’t I live like this all the time?” 🏝️ 

👇 DM this to the person you always say “we should do a big trip” with and just write: “This one.” 🤣

#philippines #siargao #siquijor #bohol #philippinestravel #travelblogger #globalviewpoint
    You think you know Egypt from textbooks… until you You think you know Egypt from textbooks… until you are standing in front of the Great Pyramid and it feels like the ground is humming beneath your feet. ✨

Growing up I was obsessed with pharaohs, mummies, and hieroglyphics, so walking through Giza and Cairo felt unreal. One minute you are staring up at Khufu’s pyramid, the next you are ducking into tombs covered in colors that have survived for thousands of years.

The museums in Egypt are on another level too. Seeing King Tut’s treasures up close, ancient papyrus, and statues that were carved before most countries even existed made my brain short-circuit in the best way. It is one of the few places where history feels alive, not like something behind glass.

Visiting Egypt was a childhood dream come to life and then some. If you grew up obsessed with ancient history too, Egypt needs to be on your radar. Share this with the one person who’d nerd out here with you. 🙌

#egypt #pyramidsofgiza #cairo #egypttravel #uniqueexperiences #travelbucketlist #internationaltravel #gizapyramids #historyiscool #ancientegypt #ancienthistory #travelbloggers
    11/10 views only in Grindelwald 🤯🇨🇭 Racing a moun 11/10 views only in Grindelwald 🤯🇨🇭

Racing a mountain cart under the Eiger, then flying down on a Trottibike scooter back to the village… this might be my number one bucket list experience in Switzerland. The combo of cow bells, fresh alpine air, and those cliffside views honestly feels unreal!

You take the gondola up to Grindelwald First, grab a mountain cart from Schreckfeld to Bort, then swap to the Trottibike scooter all the way down to Grindelwald. It is basically go-karting and scootering through a postcard, with the north face of the Eiger towering over you the whole way. 🏔️

I recommend going early to beat the crowds and get clearer runs, and booking the Adventure Package if you want to stack multiple runs and save some cash. The First Flyer zipline is also a highlight at 80+ km/h! 🦅 

I have done a lot of wild stuff in the Alps, but this day in Grindelwald genuinely felt like pure, kid-level joy. 🛴🌬️ 

Who are you bringing on this 11/10 ride? 🚠👇

#grindelwald #switzerlandwonderland #grindelwaldfirst #swissalps #travelblogging #adventuretravel #bucketlist #beautifuldestinations #globalviewpoint
    This town was built for Christmas 🎄✨ I’ve seen Sa This town was built for Christmas 🎄✨

I’ve seen Salzburg in summer. I’ve wandered it in the fall. But winter? Winter makes the whole city feel unreal. Walking through the Christmas markets with alpine snow around the cathedral honestly feels like stepping into a story I grew up with... 

I was obsessed with The Sound of Music as a kid, so Salzburg already had a hold on me. But December hit different. Roasted chestnuts drifting through the streets. Mulled wine warming your hands. Choirs echoing between baroque domes. Ice skating in the square. So cozy and festive! 🙌

The main Christkindlmarkt sits right beneath Salzburg Cathedral, and it’s one of the oldest Christmas markets in the world…dating back to the 15th century. I love the way the lights spill into every alley from Residenzplatz to Domplatz, and the entire Old Town feels built for this exact season.

My favorite part? Fresh pastries. Handmade ornaments. Warm krapfen doughnuts. The fortress glowing above the rooftops. Everything is walkable, so you can drift between stalls and side streets without losing the vibe for even a second. 🎅

I’ve been to a lot of Christmas markets across Europe, but Salzburg definitely has a cozier, more romantic charm. It’s festive without being chaotic (midweek) and historic without feeling staged.

And if you’re already here, don’t just stop at Salzburg! The city is perfectly placed for other amazing markets like Hellbrunn, Berchtesgaden over the border in Germany, and even Vienna’s famous Christkindlmarkt just a quick train ride away. 🎄

Tag the person you’d freeze your fingers off exploring Christmas markets with 🎄🇦🇹 

#christmasmarkets #europeanchristmas #christmasineurope #christmastravel #holidaytravel #salzburg #salzburgaustria #austriatravel #visitaustria #christmasinaustria #bucketlisttravel #exploreeurope #europevacation
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