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About Matt Long
06 July 2011 8:08 PM | No CommentsWho am I? I am a typical Gen-X professional who has a passion for all things travel. My site brings a unique perspective that is hard to find online. I am not a backpacker, nor am I living off of a trust fund. I am...
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Five Reasons to Stop Dreaming and Travel Now
16 April 2012 11:55 PM | 20 Comments -
So What’s Reykjavik Really Like?
28 February 2012 11:55 PM | 12 Comments -
Top Five Travel iPad Apps
06 January 2011 11:55 PM | 24 Comments -
Vatican City Scavi Tour
09 September 2010 2:59 AM | 14 Comments -
Don’t Be a Touron
29 June 2010 8:10 PM | 40 Comments
As Seen In:
Destinations Archive
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Journey to America’s Forgotten Capital
Posted on May 21, 2012 | 1 CommentI live in Washington, DC, a city that has had the honor of serving of the capital of the United States for more than two-hundred and twenty years. However, it’s not the only capital the country has had, a fact most American school kids know... -
Five Things That Surprised Me About Tokyo
Posted on May 20, 2012 | 4 CommentsOur first visit to Japan was brief, it was a stopover on a longer flight but we still managed to eek out three nights in Tokyo for a little taste of what the country is like. As do most people, I had certain expectations and... -
Cathedrals, Wine and Rural Escapes – Follow Along As I Explore France
Posted on May 16, 2012 | 8 CommentsWhen I was twelve years old I asked my mother to enroll me in after school French lessons. Already at that age I was in love with the idea of exploring the world but knew the best way to do that from small town America... -
Exploring Iceland’s Golden Circle Through Photos
Posted on May 16, 2012 | 9 CommentsOur trip to Iceland was a surprise, probably the best birthday surprise I’ve ever received. But because of that, I wasn’t able to plan and instead my partner was in charge of our schedule. Luckily he did an amazing job putting together a fun and... -
My Five Favorite Adventure Travel Experiences in New Zealand
Posted on May 13, 2012 | 13 CommentsIf the gods of adventure travel had their own Mt. Olympus, it would be found somewhere in New Zealand. The Kiwis have long taken pride in their ability to outdo the rest of the world when it comes to flinging themselves from various heights and... -
Laos – Why I Went and What I Thought
Posted on May 8, 2012 | 8 CommentsWhen I put together the itinerary for our vacation in Asia, I had some difficult decisions to make. We knew we wanted to return to Bangkok; it’s one of our favorite cities and a few days in the Thai capital sounded perfect. But we also... -
Dragons and Goblins: Exploring Mt. Fuji and Japan’s Countryside
Posted on May 6, 2012 | 3 CommentsTokyo was more of a whim than a planned stop on our trip to Asia. We had the chance to add a three-day stopover on our way to Thailand so we decided to jump at the opportunity to explore a new country, one I’ve wanted... -
42 Things I Love About Bangkok
Posted on May 2, 2012 | 11 CommentsMy first trip to Southeast Asia was five years ago when my partner and I visited the exotic capital of Thailand, Bangkok. He had been before but it was my first visit and I was entranced. I returned to this favorite city recently and I’m... -
Tokyo Recap and What I Thought About Japan
Posted on April 29, 2012 | 15 CommentsJapan had long been on my must-see travel list so when the chance for a brief three-day stopover on the way to Thailand arose, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. At the same time, I realized that a scant two and a half... -
Five Foods To Avoid in Italy
Posted on April 24, 2012 | 24 CommentsI’m a Europhile, without question, but sadly I haven’t spent very much time in Italy. It only takes a few moments though to fall in love with true Italian cuisine, but much longer to discern what is best left alone. That’s why I’m thrilled Italian... -
Fiji in Four Words
Posted on April 23, 2012 | 5 CommentsThe South Pacific is near the top of my travel wish list and I’m determined to visit someday soon. Until then, I will have to live vicariously through those who have traveled before me, like the travel writer and social media expert Angie Orth. Today... -
Five Things You Might Not Know About Arizona
Posted on April 19, 2012 | 3 CommentsToday’s post comes courtesy of Dave Porter with The Roaming Boomers. In 2006 David and his wife moved from Michigan to Arizona and haven’t looked back since. Although they admit there’s a lot to see and do in the Midwest, the endless sunshine and warm... -
Four Surprising Things About Buenos Aires Cuisine
Posted on April 18, 2012 | 11 CommentsBuenos Aires has long been on my travel list for many reasons, but food wasn’t one of them – until now. This fabulous guest post by travel blogger Stephanie Yoder of Twenty-Something Travel.com gives us four great reasons to visit the capital of Argentina and... -
Four Things Not Do In Chiang Mai
Posted on April 17, 2012 | 18 CommentsToday I am pleased to feature a guest post by writer and tech expert Dave Dean. Dave has been traveling the world for fifteen years, amassing an incredible amount of expertise along the way. He writes about travel technology at Too Many Adapters and the highs and... -
Luxury Travel in Asia – The Travel Itinerary
Posted on April 12, 2012 | 5 CommentsMy partner and I recently celebrated our 10th anniversary and being travel fanatics, we of course are celebrating with a trip. I began planning this adventure last year when we had a difficult decision to make. We knew we wanted to use my frequent flier... -
Five Things You Might Not Know About Iceland
Posted on April 10, 2012 | 18 CommentsLike many visitors to Iceland, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the country and learned a lot about its history while touring around. Also like many tourists, there were quite a few facts that surprised me, including these that I bet you haven’t heard before.... -
Shadows and Ghosts – Looking for the Descent of the Feathered Serpent at Chichen Itza
Posted on April 8, 2012 | 5 CommentsRuins, relics and all things ancient have always fascinated me; exploring their link to eras and civilizations long gone top the list of things I most enjoy doing when I travel. So when the JW Marriott in Cancun invited me down for a rare astronomical... -
Tell Me What To Do In Laos
Posted on April 5, 2012 | 10 CommentsPhoto courtesy of Stephanie Yoder, Twenty-Something Travel.com For a while on LandLopers I had a regular feature called the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea was to throw out a destination and get you all to share your best tips and advice on what to do,... -
Retro Chic – What the Hell is the Atomium?
Posted on April 4, 2012 | 8 CommentsIt’s the world of fast cars, polka dots and Mad Men. Thoughts of the nuclear age and space consumed the public and everyone had emerged from World War II looking forward to the future with promises of technological advances and better lives for everyone. It... -
Not Your Average Day in Cancun – A Mayan Morning at Ek Balam
Posted on April 1, 2012 | 8 CommentsI like old things. Older the better and if they can even be called ancient, I’m there. So when the JW Marriott in Cancun invited me down for a rare astronomical event involving one of the most famous ruins in the world, I didn’t hesitate... -
Shrine to Carbonated Goodness – The World of Coke in Atlanta
Posted on March 29, 2012 | 4 CommentsThere are a few things I must have when I travel. A Clean bed, hot shower, Wi-Fi and most importantly, Diet Coke are all necessary components of the travel experience for me. I’ve been an ardent fan of Diet Coke for at least twenty years,... -
Five Things To Do In London That Aren’t The Olympics
Posted on March 27, 2012 | 16 CommentsLondon will soon be reveling in the global hoopla that comes along with hosting the Summer Olympic Games. Many people will use the opportunity to add London to their travel list and explore what is truly one of the great cities of the world. While... -
Looking For Paradise and Pining For The Southern Cross
Posted on March 26, 2012 | 1 CommentIt probably won’t come as a complete shock that I have always, for as long as I can remember, had a fierce sense of wanderlust. As a young child and well into adulthood, I absorbed anything and everything about foreign cultures and far-flung locales. Instead... -
Skip the Staycation, Go For the Nearcation
Posted on March 25, 2012 | 13 CommentsTwo years ago at a conference I had the great pleasure of meeting a well known travel editor and managed to separate him from one of his business cards. Later when I read through the business cards I had collected I noticed that on the... -
Watch With Me As I Witness the Descent of the Feathered Serpent in Mexico
Posted on March 19, 2012 | No CommentsThere was a brief time in my life when I thought I would actually be an archeologist. I blame Indiana Jones and a fierce desire to uncover lost secrets of history for this passion. Then I realized that math and science were involved and I... -
How To Harass a Whale in Iceland
Posted on March 18, 2012 | 8 CommentsSomething I never get tired of doing when I travel is interacting with wildlife in some manner. In Australia this meant a rare kiss from a koala and in Alberta the result was a fantastic dog sled ride through the frozen woods around Lake Louise.... -
Frozen in Time – Exploring Rural Alberta On An Ice Walk
Posted on March 14, 2012 | 4 CommentsSo here’s something strange about me: I love nature, I love being outside and enjoying the best that Mother Nature has to offer, but I’m not necessarily outdoorsy. What’s the difference you ask? Well, outdoorsy people can live in a tent, commune with nature and... -
How To Spend a Long Weekend in Iceland
Posted on March 11, 2012 | 17 CommentsIceland captivates the imaginations of many and while I can understand that feeling, it’s hard exactly to explain why. It could be because of the stunning landscapes, fun activities or a mixture of both, but more and more people are traveling to this northern island... -
42 Things I Love About Brussels
Posted on March 8, 2012 | 5 CommentsI’m still a little surprised that it took me 35 years to first visit Brussels. I love Western Europe and have spent a significant portion of my life learning more about the people and culture that make the region so much fun to visit and... -
Symbol of Strength – The Homomonument Gay and Lesbian Memorial in Amsterdam
Posted on March 6, 2012 | 2 CommentsThere are probably millions of monuments and memorials around the world, erected in commemoration of any of a thousand different groupings of people. One minority that traditional has been underrepresented in remembering its past is the gay and lesbian community. The reasons for this are... -
Why the Blue Lagoon in Iceland Isn’t a Natural Wonder
Posted on March 4, 2012 | 9 CommentsEarlier this year one of my favorite travel magazines made an announcement that surprised me a bit. In a special “Wonders of the World” edition, National Geographic listed the Blue Lagoon in Iceland as one of the most impressive wonders of the world. Now this... -
Weird Museum of the Stuffed and Dead in Banff
Posted on February 29, 2012 | 1 CommentIt was Saturday afternoon in Banff. We had just returned from an all-morning ice hike and Scott was firmly planted in front of the TV watching football playoff games. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to explore more of Banff on foot, I even... -
So What’s Reykjavik Really Like?
Posted on February 28, 2012 | 12 CommentsWhen I was in Junior High School, Hard Rock Cafe T-Shirts were all the rage. People tried to get the most obscure location shirt they could find, to impress friends I suppose. I didn’t participate in this particular fad, but a shirt I saw a... -
Why Are We Still Talking About Travel Safety in Mexico?
Posted on February 26, 2012 | 17 CommentsA couple of years ago when I was still a baby blogger, I wrote a post about why I thought that parts of Mexico were safe to visit. Talking with people, I thought that the message was getting across, that some parts of Mexico are... -
Five Things I Bet You Don’t Know About Banff
Posted on February 23, 2012 | 5 Comments1. Where it is – When I first started researching a trip to Banff way back in 2010, I really had no idea where it was. I knew it was in Canada and that it had a funny name and that was the extent of... -
Comparing Bruges and Ghent – Flemish Travel Showdown
Posted on February 22, 2012 | 3 CommentsWhen I was planning our trip to Belgium, I solicited the advice of friends and experts who had visited the low country before. Almost immediately, I sensed a strange division amongst the respondents and it all revolved around two seemingly innocent towns near Brussels, Bruges... -
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Iceland
Posted on February 21, 2012 | 56 CommentsI recently got back from a surprise trip to Iceland for my birthday. Since it was a surprise, I didn’t know a whole lot about Iceland before my first visit, although I had some ideas. More than anything though, I wish I knew a few... -
The Truth About The Mayan Calendar And The Cycles Of Our Lives
Posted on February 20, 2012 | 5 CommentsI was looking through some travel promotions lately and noticed a theme, at least in one part of the world. Disaster. End of the world. The Seven Horsemen are coming, so why not come to Mexico and enjoy some snorkeling? That’s right, on December 21,... -
Where the Powerful Travel – Top Presidential Vacation Destinations
Posted on February 19, 2012 | 5 CommentsToday is Presidents Day in the United States; a day to celebrate, um, Presidents and more importantly it’s a day off from work. What connection does this have to a travel blog? Well, Presidents are human too and need vacations just like anyone else. Not... -
Naked Peace of Mind – Taking the Waters at the Banff Upper Hot Springs
Posted on February 16, 2012 | 4 CommentsHot springs aren’t for everyone. First, they can be a bit of a hassle in all honesty, especially when the temperature is negative some ungodly number and you arrive bundled in at least thirty layers of clothing. Then there’s the unpleasant experience of changing alongside... -
Exploring the Quirky Brussels Comic Strip Museum
Posted on February 15, 2012 | 2 CommentsBelgium has an obsession. No, it’s not with waffles, french fries or beer; ok, it is, but that’s not what I want to talk about. Their appreciation of and respect for the 9th Art known as the cartoon is the real obsession and although it’s... -
Top 5 Free Attractions in New York City
Posted on February 14, 2012 | 10 CommentsToday I am pleased to feature a guest post by Leslie Koch. Leslie is the founder of DowntownTraveler.com, an online magazine for urban travelers who crave arts, culture and adventure. Leslie lives in New York City, where she settled after completing a year-long, round-the-world trip... -
My Four Least Romantic Travel Experiences
Posted on February 13, 2012 | 16 CommentsJust to preface this post, these are my personal least romantic experiences. I don’t mean to say that these activities are themselves inherently unromantic, but for us they were anything but romantic. 1. Flying anywhere - I can’t think of anything that can ruin a... -
What’s So Great about Melbourne?
Posted on February 12, 2012 | 10 CommentsEveryone said I would love it. This advice didn’t just come from friends and online contacts, Melbourne was named the world’s most livable city in the 2011 Global Livability Survey. That’s a hell of a statement to make and I was curious what could propel... -
Surprise! I’m in Iceland with the Photos to Prove It
Posted on February 12, 2012 | 26 CommentsSo a couple of weeks ago on my birthday my partner announced that my present was a surprise trip to an undisclosed location. When we arrived at the airport last Thursday night I still had no idea where we were headed; an exciting adventure for... -
Flying Down a Mountain – Banff Snow Tubing Adventure and Video
Posted on February 9, 2012 | 1 CommentI don’t ski, not at all. I don’t even try anymore lest I further cause injury to myself and others. That’s why I was a little dubious as we drove up to the Mount Norquay Ski Resort in Banff, Canada. After all, they’re kind of... -
Travel Snobbery and the Importance of Being a Corny Tourist in Paris
Posted on February 8, 2012 | 40 CommentsYou may have noticed that if I like something, I tend to write about it a lot. You only need search the site for posts on Jordan and New Zealand to see the results of my travel affection. Well my first, and still dearest, travel... -
The Cartoon Walk – Looking for the 9th Art in Brussels
Posted on February 7, 2012 | 3 CommentsI couldn’t help but notice that her clothes were pretty small for what was a well formed physique. What was even more strange was that she was a cat. Cartoon cat actually and just one of the many ways in which Brussels pays homage to... -
Five Surprisingly Romantic Cities
Posted on February 5, 2012 | 19 CommentsSome cities you expect to be romantic; Paris has made billions of dollars on that premise alone. Other cities surprise you though with their ability to charm and to help create those special romantic moments between you and your loved one. Here are some of... -
True or False – A Look at Six Stereotypes About Canada
Posted on January 31, 2012 | 15 CommentsI admit, in the past I may have made some jokes at the expense of our friends to the north. I seem to remember a quip involving America’s hat in particular. But those days are gone, I’m now an avowed lover of Canada and her...
