This episode is for those who love exploring life and appreciate the common threads and principles that show up no matter the path they’re on.
Jack Baumann is the founder and director of Guidester.com.
He is passionate about supporting people who want to travel and explore in a way that’s authentic, enriching and unforgettable. He believe’s the best travel experiences aren’t about how many places you visit but how deeply you experience them. Hence his travel philosophy is – Travel Deep, Not Broad. Meaning… slowing down, embracing the local culture, and making meaningful connections that stay with you long after your trip ends.
This is why I feel it’s no accident that we find ourselves in each others lives. As we share a passion of discovery, depth and dance.
After finishing his Master’s degree in Ancient Greek and Roman Archaeology at Cardiff University, Jack spent a great deal of time exploring the beauty of Europe. During his extensive travels, he saw how overwhelming and time-consuming the planning process could be…endless Google searches, piles of guidebooks, and generic recommendations that didn’t match individual interests.
Jack founded Guidester in 2014 after returning home to the U.S. to solve this problem. His goal was to create seamless, immersive European experiences that let traveler’s focus on enjoying the journey – not stressing over the details.
“I do love England, Scotland, Wales individually, but to me, the island of Britain is something special and unique that no other place has.”
Guidester is now a successful business which not only helps people plan their own trips but Jack, along with his remarkable travel buddy a Norfolk Terrier “Maverick”, also takes groups beyond the tourist traps to discover hidden gems, and engage with the real heart of each destination – whether it’s private wine tasting at a gorgeous vineyard in Tuscany, behind-the-scenes at a centuries-old castle in Germany, dining at a rooftop restaurant in Barcelona, or simply lingering in a café in Paris where history and daily life intertwine.
Essentially he aligns people perfectly with their actual desires…not popular trends.
“The problem is Europe is done like a textbook. When you’re in Rome, you’ve got to see the Colosseum, you’ve got to see the Vatican.
Well, no, you don’t. . .
. . . All the things they did in Rome did not align with what they actually like to do and what sets them on fire.”
Jack loves to dance and has been a student of mine for a couple of years. Here he has not only been fine tuning his dancing skills but learning more deeply about himself and life.
We hope you enjoy this mix of topics and perspectives.
If you wish to know more about Guidester, Travelin’ Jack’s Podcast or Jack's or Maverick’s Instagram.
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