the honest answers .

Honestly? It's hard. Your friends are busy, group tours are soulless, and random apps offer zero accountability. That's exactly why this site exists. Jon Levesque offers 6 spots a year as a vetted, background-checked travel companion for strangers with bucket lists.

You're in the right place. illbeyourfriend.com is built for exactly this — connecting people who have an adventure they want to do with a real person (Jon) who wants to come along. Apply at /apply and you'll hear back within 7 days.

If you have something on your bucket list, you want real company (not a tour guide), and you're willing to cover Jon's expenses both ways — yes. That's the whole deal.

In this context: someone who shows up for your trip, keeps good company, pulls their weight, and genuinely wants the experience to be great for you. Not a guide, not a passenger — a real travel companion who happens to have done this 21 countries worth of times.

Anyone 18 or older. Open to everyone — no exceptions based on who you are, where you're from, or what you look like. The only filter is fit.

No. This is strictly 1:1 — you and Jon. That's the whole point. If you're looking to fill a group trip, this isn't it.

All 6 are open right now — this just launched today. First come, first fit.

Not at the same time. One application, one conversation. If we go and it's great, maybe we talk again someday.

Everything for Jon, both ways. Flights, accommodation, meals, activities, visas, and gear where applicable. You won't get a surprise invoice — we'll talk through the real number before anything is booked.

Yes, and that's on you. Jon will have his own. You should have yours — especially if you're doing anything adventurous. Don't skip it.

Depends entirely on where you want to go. A long weekend nearby could be a few thousand. An international expedition could be significantly more. The application asks for your ballpark so we can make sure you've thought it through.

Jon reads it personally — no filters, no assistants. You'll hear back within 7 days either way. If there's a fit, he'll suggest a time for the first call.

Casual video chats. No agenda other than getting a feel for each other. Any of them can be a soft "this isn't right" from either side — no hard feelings, no explanation required.

A standard screening run through a third-party service. It screens for felonies, sex offenses, domestic violence, and crimes against children. It's at your expense, fast, and protects both of you. If that's a dealbreaker, this probably isn't the right fit.

Depends on scheduling and destination. Realistically, a few weeks to a couple months from first call to booking.

Jon takes this seriously and expects you to as well. Once you're both in, you're in. The only acceptable reason to back out is a genuine emergency — you or an immediate family member is seriously ill or dying. Anything else, reach out early and have an honest conversation.

Same standard. Jon commits fully and only backs out if he or an immediate family member is facing a life emergency. If that happens, he'll tell you immediately, help you recover any costs he can, and make it right.

That's what the calls are for. Either person can say "this isn't the right fit" at any point before booking — no explanation required, no hard feelings. Better to know before you're on a plane.