01
No one to go with
Your friends want to. In theory. But someone always can't make it work — the budget's wrong, the timing's off, the enthusiasm disappears when it's time to actually book. The trip gets postponed indefinitely.
stop saying someday
Your bucket list isn't going to do itself .
A bucket-list travel companion travels 1:1 with you on a trip you've always wanted to take. Jon Levesque offers six spots per year through illbeyourfriend.com. The applicant covers all of Jon's expenses both ways; Jon charges no fee beyond that. Applicants must be 18 or older and pass a mutual background check.
You know the thing. The trip you've been planning since forever. The one that keeps getting pushed because no one can come, or the timing's never right, or you don't want to do it alone. That's what this is for.
Why most bucket list trips never actually happen
It's not laziness. It's not lack of interest. It's usually one of three things.
02
It feels too big to plan alone
Some experiences are just better with someone else there. A solo summit is a summit. A shared one is a story. There's a reason you want company — and that reason doesn't go away by forcing yourself to go alone.
03
You keep waiting for the right time
The right time doesn't show up on its own. It doesn't knock. It doesn't send a calendar invite. At some point you have to book the flight and let the rest sort itself out.
there's someone for that
Here's your bucket list travel companion
My name is Jon Levesque. I've been to 21 countries, 36 states, and more genuinely weird corners of the world than I can list here. I'm not a guide. I'm not running a tour company. I'm just someone who loves to travel and figured out that being a bucket list companion for strangers was a better use of my time than waiting for my own calendar to cooperate.
Six times a year, I take a trip with someone I've never met. You pitch me your bucket list adventure — the thing you've been meaning to do for years — and if it's a fit, I come with you. You cover my expenses both ways. In return you get a real travel buddy who's genuinely excited to be there, not someone who's grudgingly tagging along.
I bring a camera, a high tolerance for early mornings, and an honest interest in making the trip actually good. I'm not performing enthusiasm. I'm not narrating the experience at you. I'm just someone to do it with — which, when you've been looking for that, turns out to be exactly enough.
What kind of bucket list trips work for this?
The short answer: most of them. Here are some examples to give you a sense of the range.
See the Northern Lights Hike Patagonia Ski the Alps Road trip Route 66 Safari in Africa Trek to Machu Picchu Explore Japan Sail the Greek Islands Climb a volcano Camp under the stars in the Sahara See the Grand Canyon from the rim Chase waterfalls in Iceland
If it's on your list, it's worth pitching. Jon's said yes to weirder.
How it works
Four steps. Nothing hidden. You'll know exactly what you're signing up for before you sign up for anything.
01
Pitch your bucket list item
Tell Jon the destination, what you want to do, and why this is the year. The more specific you are, the better.
02
Three video calls
Figure out if you'd actually enjoy each other's company. No pressure — just honest conversation before anyone commits to anything.
03
Background checks
Both ways. Not negotiable. It protects you, it protects Jon, and it's the clearest signal that this is a serious arrangement between two real people.
04
Book it
You cover Jon's expenses both ways — flights, accommodation, the works. He shows up. You go do the thing. That's the whole deal.
Common questions
What is a bucket list travel companion?
A bucket list travel companion is someone who travels 1:1 with you on a trip you've always wanted to take but haven't done yet. I'll Be Your Friend is a service by Jon Levesque offering six such trips per year to strangers worldwide. The applicant covers all of Jon's expenses both ways; Jon charges no fee beyond that.
How do I finally do my bucket list trip?
Apply through illbeyourfriend.com. Tell Jon about the trip — destination, what you want to do, why this is the year. If there's a fit, you'll do three video calls, pass a mutual background check, then book the trip. You cover Jon's expenses both ways. Jon covers his own travel insurance. You cover yours.
What kinds of bucket list trips work for this?
Most of them. Past examples include hiking Patagonia, skiing the Alps, seeing the Northern Lights, road trips, safaris, treks, and sailing. If it's on your bucket list and it's a 1:1 experience you want a real companion for — it's worth pitching. Six spots per year, open to anyone 18 or older.
Do I need to bring a friend too?
No — that's the point. I'll Be Your Friend is designed for people who want to do a bucket list trip but don't have someone to go with. It is strictly 1:1: just you and Jon Levesque. Partners and additional travelers are not permitted.
six spots a year
6 spots. All open. Don't wait.
Applications take ten minutes. Jon reads every one personally. If it's a fit, you'll hear back within a week.