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Travel Tips

Travel Tips for Planning Your Next Adventure Featured Image

After visiting 69+ countries, taking hundreds of flights, and running this travel blog full-time for over 8 years, I’ve learned a thing or two about traveling smarter…not harder.

This category is where I share my best advice – the real, tried-and-tested stuff I use myself. Whether you’re booking international flights, packing for two weeks in a carry-on, or choosing the right travel card for that free upgrade, you’ll find it here.

  • How to Find Cheap Flights in 2025
  • My Favorite Travel Package Sites Right Now
  • Top Travel Credits I Personally Use for Great Rewards
  • 39 Amazing Travel Apps for iPhone and Android
  • 11 KEY Reasons Why You Should Get Travel Insurance
  • 50 Best Things to Do Before Getting on a Flight
  • 21 ESSENTIAL Travel Hacks for Flying
  • How to Travel for Cheap in 2025-2026
  • Top 20 International Travel Tips Before Traveling Abroad

In addition to my top travel tips, here’s some content inspiration and ideas on how to enhance your travel lifestyle:

  • 15 Best Places to Travel with Friends
  • 14 Helpful Tips for Traveling as a Couple
  • Unique Bucket List Ideas in 2025-2026
  • 28 Top Travel Jobs around the Globe
  • 21 Travel Photography Tips to Take Better Photos
  • Key Steps on How to Start a Travel Blog from Scratch
  • Top Travel Blogging Tips to Grow Your Site
  • 50 Coolest Gift Ideas for Travel Lovers

From specific vacation planning tips to general advice and lifestyle content, I hope these articles help you travel deeper. In addition, be sure to subscribe to my blog for a free packing list and other helpful resources!

Looking for more unique tips for traveling the globe? You’ve come to the right place. Get started with more of my top content below:

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  • Guide to Flying PLAY Airlines: All You Need to Know in 2025

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  • 10 Summer 2025 Festivals Around the World You Can Reach for Under $750

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  • Top 10 CHEAP Airports to Fly to for National Park Lovers in 2026

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

    Kazakhstan has been one of those places I’ve sta Kazakhstan has been one of those places I’ve stared at on maps since I was a kid. Ninth-largest country in the world, tucked between giants, loaded with natural resources, yet barely talked about. I always wondered what was actually there.

Visiting this fall felt like stepping into two worlds at once. On one side, the post-Soviet legacy and a country that flew under the radar for decades. On the other, a surprisingly wealthy Central Asian nation building futuristic cities out of the steppe.

Almaty grabbed me right away. Mountains right behind the city. Alpine lakes that don’t look real. A canyon that feels like a mini Grand Canyon. This is the side of Kazakhstan that feels alive, raw, and tied to its roots.

Astana…different story. Beautiful architecture, sure. But it feels more like a planned capital than a place shaped by people. Cool to see once. But if I did it again, I’d spend all my time in Almaty and the nature around it.

What really stuck with me was the nomadic thread running through everything. The food, the hospitality, the landscapes. I even tried the horse meat dishes locals grow up on. Not something you’ll find in many places, and it gives you a taste of their history in a literal way.

If you’re visiting, here’s what I recommend…

Fly into Almaty if you love mountains, lakes, and real cultural depth. Visit Big Almaty Lake, Kaindy Lake, Kolsai Lakes National Park, Charyn Canyon, and the high-altitude plateaus. Astana is worth a quick stop if you’re curious about futuristic architecture. I paired this trip with Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan…but of course, there’s a ton more to see in Kazakhstan as well!

#kazakhstan #almaty #astana_city #kazakhstan🇰🇿 #hiddengems #travelbloggerlife #asiatravel
    Vienna’s Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) ar Vienna’s Christmas markets (Christkindlmarkt) are absolutely magical 🎄✨ The lights, the smell of roasted chestnuts, the mulled wine…it’s all just so festive 🙌

The city runs more than 20 Christmas markets, and each one has its own character. My favorites are Rathausplatz, Schönbrunn Palace, Spittelberg, and Stephansplatz. Rathausplatz is the big one with the huge light displays and a ton of food stalls. Schönbrunn has this grand, imperial backdrop that makes everything feel more dramatic at night. Spittelberg feels cozy and local, tucked into narrow streets. And Stephansplatz is super iconic with that cathedral view. 

Christmas market season usually kicks off mid-November and runs through December depending on the market. Weeknights are quieter. Weekends get packed fast, so go early if you want space to move. I recommend heading west in Austria to places like St. Wolfgang, Salzburg, Hellbrunn, and Innsbruck for more amazing Christmas markets as well 🇦🇹🎄

Have you ever taken a trip to see Europe’s Christmas markets? Would love to hear where you’ve been (or want to go)!

#vienna #christmasmarket #christmasinvienna #winterwonderland #viennachristmasmarket
    Samarkand: 2,700 Years on the Silk Road ✨ Samar Samarkand: 2,700 Years on the Silk Road ✨

Samarkand sits in eastern Uzbekistan, right where the Silk Road once funneled the world through its gates. At its height, it stood shoulder-to-shoulder with cities like Rome and Baghdad, and walking it today, you can definitely see why!

The history here runs deep. From ancient Sogdian traders to Timur’s empire, this city was a powerhouse of science, art, and astronomy. And the architecture shows it. The mosques and madrasas are covered in blues so vivid they almost look painted on the sky 🙌

Walking around the Registan, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda, I could definitely feel the weight of the city’s legacy. The blues, the symmetry, the way the light hits those mosaics at sunset…it’s like the city is still alive with Silk Road energy. It’s unreal how much craftsmanship survived centuries of conquest and rebuilds!

And what still blows my mind? Uzbekistan only really opened up to global tourism around 2019, so Samarkand still feels raw and lesser explored. If you chase history the way I do, this place is absolutely worth seeing 👀🇺🇿

#samarkand #uzbekistan🇺🇿 #samarkand🇺🇿 #silkroadtravel #travelbloggerlife #hiddengem #beautifuldestinations #uzbekvideo
    Welcome to the other side of Uzbekistan 🇺🇿 Welcome to the other side of Uzbekistan 🇺🇿

Tashkent feels totally different from the ancient Silk Road cities like Samarkand or Bukhara. It’s the modern side of Uzbekistan…and honestly, I loved that contrast.

Most travelers fly in here first, and I’d say it’s worth spending at least a night or two. The city mixes wide Soviet boulevards, sleek new buildings, and bits of old charm in the Eski Shahar, where you’ll find Chorsu Bazaar and Kukeldash Madrasah.

What’s wild is how fast Tashkent’s changing. The massive New Tashkent City project is transforming it into a greener, more futuristic capital. I love its walkable neighborhoods, high-rises, and modern transport…all aiming to make it one of Central Asia’s most livable cities 🙌🏙️

So, while the Silk Road cities will transport you back in time, Tashkent gives you a glimpse into Uzbekistan’s future. It’s definitely a story worth seeing unfold 🇺🇿

#uzbekistan #tashkent #centralasia #travelvlog
    Tonight was one for the books! The Northern Lights Tonight was one for the books! The Northern Lights showed up right here in Massachusetts…in the suburbs of Boston. Even visible with the naked eye (very visible with the iPhone camera). Didn’t need a trip to Iceland for this one. 😜🌌 #auroraborealis #northernlights
    Loved waking up to this view on Lake Brienz in Swi Loved waking up to this view on Lake Brienz in Switzerland 🌅

I stayed a night in Iseltwald, a quiet little village that’s an amazing home base for exploring the Bernese Oberland…just a short drive from Interlaken.

I came here in the off-season and it was pure magic. The fall colors reflected on the lake, the mornings were completely still, and watching the sunrise from my window felt surreal.

The hotel itself is super cozy…simple rooms, shared bathroom, but honestly? Totally worth it for the view and the peace you get here. If you don’t mind something low-key but absolutely unforgettable, this is it! 🇨🇭

Comment “lake” and I’ll DM you the name + booking link. 👇
    My Swiss Chocolate Milk Tasting 🥛🍫🇨🇭 My Swiss Chocolate Milk Tasting 🥛🍫🇨🇭 

Walked into a Coop in Bern and did the most important research of my trip: taste-testing every chocolate milk I could find. I’ve tasted many over the years, but never all at once, so I actually wanted to compare them this time to find the best. Tried Ovalmaltine, Chocato, Comella, and my winner: Caotina. (Not pictured: Heidi, which is my favorite kind at Migros. I’d give it a 9.5/10!)

Look, I’m a huge chocoholic AND I love good milk, so Switzerland is basically my Disneyland. They’ve got those high alpine cows producing some of the creamiest milk on earth, and then they go and blend it with their world-class chocolate.

Here’s the thing: Swiss chocolate milk is thick…we’re talking full-fat. They’re not messing around with that skim milk nonsense you get back in the States haha. This stuff has actual body, actual richness…it’s like drinking a melted chocolate bar mixed with cream.

Caotina won for its perfect balance…rich chocolate flavor without being too sweet, and that velvety texture. If you’re headed to Switzerland, skip the touristy chocolate shops for a minute and hit up a Coop or Migros. You won’t regret it!

Save this for your Switzerland trip! 🍫🥛 #switzerland
    So nice to be back in Rothenburg ob der Tauber aft So nice to be back in Rothenburg ob der Tauber after 6 years! And it’s just as magical as I remember. Same view, same fairytale charm. Rothenburg, you never get old 🏰✨ (apologies for the audio…that wind was wild!!)
    There’s something ancient about the bond between There’s something ancient about the bond between man and horse 🐎🔥

For three days, Kara-Boz carried me across the mountains of Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬…through valleys, rivers, and high passes on the way to Song Kul Lake. It felt primal, raw, and deeply human…like tapping into a connection our ancestors relied on for survival.

This was easily one of the highlights of my Central Asia trip. Nothing compares to feeling that rhythm of hooves beneath you, hour after hour, surrounded by endless sky. Hours in the saddle blur into something deeper. You stop thinking, and start feeling…the breath of the animal, the mountain air, the pulse of the earth beneath you. And of course, a sore butt and legs 🤣

Kyrgyzstan is an absolute gem, and I can’t wait to go back someday! 🇰🇬
    Dreaming back to Georgia, where I kicked off my Eu Dreaming back to Georgia, where I kicked off my Eurasia trip a few weeks back 🇬🇪

From wandering the streets of Tbilisi to soaking in the fresh mountain air of Kazbegi, this country blew my mind! Visiting a food festival in Borjomi and a local winery were the icing on the cake. 🍷🍲 

Georgia is the birthplace of wine (8,000 years of winemaking), and I was super impressed with the amber wines…they’re unlike anything I’ve tried before. And I must say…Georgian cuisine is incredibly underrated, blending influences from Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Khachapuri, khinkali, churchkhela…I could live off these. 🤤

What made my trip to Georgia even more special were the people. 🤝 Georgian hospitality is a thing! The Supra (feast) culture is such a great tradition that brings Georgian people together around food and wine. I’ve never seen such devotion to family and friendship anywhere else in Europe. Huge thanks to my college roommate Zura for hosting me and introducing me to such an amazing circle of friends. Hospitality runs deep here, and it’s something I’ll never forget. 🙏 

Some other highlights:
⚽️ Catching a Georgia football match
🍷 Wine tasting at Kiketi Farm
🏔️ Overnight in Juta, a mountain village near Kazbegi
⛪ Exploring ancient Orthodox churches (some dating back to the 14th century)
🗿 Standing at the Chronicles of Georgia Monument, with massive statues telling the country’s Christian history

Now the adventure continues. After Georgia I dipped into Kazakhstan 🇰🇿, then Kyrgyzstan 🇰🇬, and now Uzbekistan 🇺🇿. Central Asia is proving to be wild and full of surprises. More highlights and blog posts coming soon! 🇬🇪
    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? 🛖
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    • Travel Tips
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      • My Best Travel Blogging Tips in 2025
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