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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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Australia Travel Tips
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Europe/Middle East Archive
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Why Bother with Manneken Pis in Brussels
Posted on January 30, 2012 | 4 CommentsHe’s 400 years old and only two-feet tall, but he’s the most recognizable resident of Europe’s central city, Brussels. He’s Manneken Pis, the little boy peeing, and countless travel articles and blog posts have been written about him, usually accompanied by the exact same photo.... -
Five Reasons to Visit Jordan in 2012
Posted on January 24, 2012 | 4 Comments1. Safe and stable so far - The reverberations of the 2011 Arab Spring have been felt throughout the Middle East, and they’re not over yet. The instability in Egypt especially has had a lasting impact on tourism not only in that country, but surrounding... -
Reflections on a Petra Dog
Posted on January 22, 2012 | No CommentsI took this photo in Petra, Jordan, while on a 10-hour exploration of the ancient site. It was hot, scorching really, and every living thing was seeking shade of some sort, including this little guy. Dogs traditionally are not well cared for in certain... -
In Honor of the Fry: Exploring the Frietmuseum in Brugge
Posted on January 18, 2012 | 4 CommentsThe Belgians are awesome. Unlike some other countries I won’t mention, they don’t care if everyone knows they like the best things in life. My best I mean the worst for them physically. To spend any time in Belgium is to learn to love beer,... -
Amsterdam, How I Mucked it Up
Posted on January 15, 2012 | 12 CommentsOur plan was a good one. Stay in Brussels and go on a few day trips to neighboring countries. Paris we love, so that was on the list. Germany is famous for its Christmas markets, so Cologne quickly made the cut. Bruges was a short... -
Surprising Divisions in Belgium – A Schooling in the Meaning of Flanders
Posted on January 10, 2012 | 2 CommentsI would consider myself well educated in the ways of international relations and politics (wait, don’t fall asleep, yet). I have a couple degrees in the subject, back in the day I even specialized in Western Europe, spoke some languages – all in all... -
The Ultimate Food Walk Through Paris with Context Tours
Posted on January 3, 2012 | 10 CommentsWe were late for the tour; in fact we were dangerously close to missing it all together thanks to a tardy train. I was looking forward to this walking tour in Paris more than anything else, and with good reason. Walking tours are a great... -
The Last Post of 2011 Travel Bests and Worsts I Will Ever Write
Posted on January 2, 2012 | 8 CommentsI know what you’re thinking, yet another “Best of 2011″ post? I realize that I did a whole series on the topic as did every mainstream paper, magazine, TV show and of course blogger. That being said, I was tagged by a fellow travel blogger... -
2011 Favorite Travel Experience of the Year
Posted on December 28, 2011 | 3 CommentsTravel has many faces and there are many factors which, when combined, create the perfect trip. Ultimately though it’s all about the experiences, what you see, do and enjoy while on your trip that is most important. I’ve been very fortunate this year to have... -
Join Me as I Explore the Christmas Markets of Europe
Posted on December 15, 2011 | 4 CommentsThere are many travel experiences I have hoped to enjoy for a long time. Near the top of the list for several years has been visiting Europe around the Christmas holidays. This year thanks to some good luck, we are finally able to make it... -
42 Things I Love About Jordan
Posted on December 1, 2011 | 7 CommentsIf you’re a frequent visitor to LandLopers, then you know that I didn’t just enjoy my trip to Jordan earlier this year, I loved it. I’ve been looking through photos of the trip and reflecting on key moments, so I thought I would assemble a... -
Exploring the Roots of Christianity in Jordan
Posted on November 17, 2011 | 1 CommentWhen most people think of Jordan, they probably don’t consider its importance in the formation of the Christian religion. Jordan’s location in the Middle East though has put in the crossroads of several civilizations and religions for millennia, especially Christianity. I’m not a religious person,... -
Jordan – Final Impressions
Posted on November 8, 2011 | 13 CommentsEarlier this year I visited Jordan at the kind invitation of the Jordan Tourism Board. Since then I’ve written a lot about my experiences there, and I still have more to write. But I thought it was an appropriate time to reflect on my trip... -
Europe in Winter – Writers Pick Their Favorite Destinations
Posted on October 17, 2011 | 25 CommentsEveryone has a certain destination and a certain time of year they love to visit it. For me, there’s nothing better than Europe in winter. Most of the tourists have left, the weather is chilly and even though a few extra layers are needed, I... -
Hidden Treasure of Petra – The Monastery Trail
Posted on October 12, 2011 | 5 CommentsOne of the nice things about having someone else plan a travel itinerary for you is that a lot of the stress goes away. One of the downsides I learned though is that I personally don’t do as much trip prep as I should, especially... -
42 Things I Love About Paris
Posted on October 6, 2011 | 11 CommentsI was going to do a slightly saccharine, flowing and probably over the top post about my thoughts on Paris. (which, if you haven’t guessed are pretty positive) I couldn’t imagine that such a post would be all that interesting, so instead I want to... -
Airport Security Woes – My Experience Leaving Israel
Posted on October 5, 2011 | 7 Commentsphoto credit: sarahstierch For as much as I love international travel, there are some travel experiences I can do without, namely spending hours processing through immigration and customs. I appreciate the need for the sometimes lengthy wait times, but it wears me down. I also... -
Looking for Aqaba
Posted on October 4, 2011 | No CommentsI didn’t know anything about Aqaba before we pulled into the resort town a little before noon. I’d heard of it before, but probably could not have placed it on a map and definitely couldn’t have told you that it was in Jordan. Yet there... -
Interactive Travel Guide – Tell Me What to do in Brussels
Posted on October 2, 2011 | 11 CommentsI haven’t done one of these in a while, but the Interactive Travel Guide is a semi-regular feature on LandLopers. The idea is to highlight one city or country and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we... -
Paulskirche and the Cradle of German Democracy in Frankfurt
Posted on September 28, 2011 | No CommentsFrankfurt is a modern, busy city known best as the banking capital of Europe. There’s much more to this city though, and it’s not the boring town so many characterize it as. The Innenstadt, although destroyed in World War II, is a gorgeous testimony to... -
Travel Superlatives and the Lowest Bar in the World
Posted on September 21, 2011 | 2 CommentsI’m usually pretty dubious when a location makes a broad pronouncement like it’s the “Most photographed,” or “Oldest park bench in Tasmania.” But in this case, it could actually be true. Found at a popular beach on the Dead Sea is the Kalia Beach Bar,... -
One of the Greatest Roman Cities You’ve Probably Never Heard Of – Jerash
Posted on September 12, 2011 | 4 CommentsMy trip to Jordan lasted only eight days, but by the 5th or 6th day I had overdosed on ancient ruins. I love antiquity, don’t get me wrong. The thought of exploring long forgotten civilizations is exciting and usually gets my travels juices flowing. But,... -
Three of the World’s Best Walking Tours
Posted on September 5, 2011 | 12 CommentsEven though I love unique and sometimes unusual ways to experience new travel destinations, one of the best ways to learn about a new place is through a classic walking tour. Organized tours can highlight a neighborhood or entire city, while self-guided walks offer precious... -
Experiencing REAL Irish Music in Dublin
Posted on September 1, 2011 | No CommentsEveryone kept telling us that it wasn’t usually freezing in Dublin in November, yet the temperatures kept dropping on our last minute trip to Ireland. The trip was completely unplanned and last minute, but was also short. We only had a couple of days to... -
The Perfect Salzburg Day Trip
Posted on August 30, 2011 | 1 CommentEven though it was April, it was still chilly as we left the train station and headed into the center of Salzburg. We were only there for the day, en route between Munich and Vienna. Since I have watched “The Sound of Music” more times... -
Learning to Love the Spa – A Global Journey Through Thermal Springs and Pools
Posted on August 25, 2011 | 1 CommentBeing American as I am, I always thought the term ‘spa’ referred to a place where people go to receive massage treatments, facials and pedicures. Once in a while I would notice people calling their Jacuzzi a ‘spa’ but I quickly dismissed it. It wasn’t... -
When Good Ideas Go Bad – Petra by Night Experience
Posted on August 22, 2011 | 4 CommentsWe meandered on the way to Petra, stopping at Karak castle and the Dana Biosphere Reserve before finally reaching Petra in the late afternoon. I knew that the following day would be spent exploring the great wonder of the world, but I was excited for... -
Three Interesting Cities That Surprised Me
Posted on August 15, 2011 | 8 CommentsThere are few places in the world to which I don’t want to travel. Afghanistan, Somalia and Iran pretty much top that list. But then there’s another tier of cities that while I don’t have a problem visiting, they don’t really get me excited to... -
Exploring the Mosaic Map of Madaba
Posted on August 11, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe Madaba Map in Jordan It was hard leaving the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba, one of Jordan’s great cities, but I knew we had to keep moving. I was on a whirlwind trip of the country and eager to head back north... -
Travel Racism in the Middle East
Posted on August 7, 2011 | 20 CommentsTravel to the Middle East had been growing steadily for several years and was expected to peak this year. The events of the Arab Spring put all that growth into a tailspin, but not everywhere in the region and not equally. While many of the... -
World’s Best Entrance – Exploring the Siq at Petra
Posted on July 19, 2011 | 5 CommentsThe most visited site in Jordan is Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and perhaps best known for its cameo in Indiana Jones. I wrote briefly about the city and how, even though I expected it to amazing, it far surpassed... -
Four Not to Miss Experiences in Jerusalem
Posted on July 18, 2011 | 5 CommentsNo matter where you turn in Jerusalem, there are constant reminders that you are in one of the most spiritually and historically significant cities in the world. With an overwhelming number of sites to visit, there are four activities that no visitor to the Holy... -
Celebrating Bastille Day and What France Means to Me
Posted on July 13, 2011 | 4 CommentsToday is Bastille Day, the annual event when the French celebrate the storming of the Bastille, an episode that eventually brought monarchical rule to an end. More than just a day for the French to celebrate, Bastille Day has morphed into a day for everyone,... -
Travel Spotlight – Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan
Posted on July 10, 2011 | No CommentsOn the drive from the Crusader castle at Karak to the Nabatean city of Petra, we stopped by one of Jordan’s greatest natural wonders, the Dana Biosphere Reserve. My first introduction to Dana was at a scenic overlook along the highway, home to a Jordanian... -
Picking the New Seven Wonders of Nature
Posted on July 7, 2011 | 9 CommentsA few years ago, there was an international contest to name the New 7 Wonders of the World. It was completely subjective and not based on any kind of qualified judgment, but was still a fascinating exercise in crowd sourcing. Ultimately, the 7 Wonders, as... -
Fumbling with Shisha in Amman Jordan
Posted on July 4, 2011 | 10 CommentsI lumbered off the plane after twelve-not-so-short hours in the air into the bustling city of Amman, Jordan jet lagged, but hungry. I knew that it was one of the few evenings I had completely to myself before starting my Jordan experience hosted by the... -
Travels of a Reluctant Pilgrim
Posted on June 29, 2011 | 1 CommentI spent my formative years growing up in a small town in Northeastern Pennsylvania, not far from Scranton, home of The Office. Although they themselves weren’t overly religious, me parents did drag me to church every Sunday, out of a sense of duty more than... -
Snorkeling in the Red Sea with Video
Posted on June 26, 2011 | 1 CommentI’ve written many times about my love of the water, and activities in, on or around it are some of my favorite. When I had the chance to visit Jordan, as the guest of the Jordan Tourism Board, I knew I had to visit the... -
Five Favorite Moments in Jordan
Posted on June 20, 2011 | 1 CommentMy trip to Jordan was at the kind invitation of the Jordan Tourism Board, and they made sure I had plenty of time to do everything on my wish list. The experience was an amazing one and fostered an instant and intense love for this... -
Getting Lost in the Thermal Pools and Waterfalls of Hammamat Ma’in, Jordan
Posted on June 14, 2011 | 5 CommentsWhile Jordan enjoys lush areas in certain parts of the country, and even large nature reserves, the fact is that large swaths of this Middle Eastern nation is desert. That doesn’t mean to say that it’s not beautiful, it’s stunning, and I discovered an inherent... -
Through the Gates Of Paradise at the Baptistery in Florence, Italy
Posted on June 13, 2011 | 16 CommentsToday I am thrilled to introduce this guest post by Jeff Titelius. Jeff is a true expert when it come to European travel and I am excited that he agreed to share some of his expertise with us here on LandLopers. For more of Jeff’s... -
Travel Spotlight – Palacio Real and Almudena Cathedral, Madrid, Spain
Posted on June 13, 2011 | 4 CommentsMadrid is one of those cities where I wish I had weeks to spend, instead of just days. It was my first time in Spain and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I experienced was simply amazing, and I can’t wait to see more... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Scotland
Posted on June 9, 2011 | 3 CommentsA regular feature on LandLopers is the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the best tips not... -
Ancient Ruins Overload and How Petra Saved Me
Posted on June 7, 2011 | 5 CommentsWhen I first saw my schedule from the Jordan Tourism Board, I got very excited. They were kind enough to invite me to explore their country, and I couldn’t wait. I love history and I knew that Jordan’s influence in the region and in world... -
Travel Spotlight: Desert Castles of Jordan – Qasr al-Amra
Posted on June 6, 2011 | 2 CommentsLocated in the desert east of Amman are a serious of curious structures, dotting the landscape almost randomly. These are the famous Desert Castles of Jordan, a remnant of the once dominant Umayyad empire. Built more than 1,200 years ago, these so-called castles didn’t have... -
Video Experience – Floating in the Dead Sea
Posted on June 5, 2011 | 3 CommentsA must-do experience for anyone visiting Jordan is a swim in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is unique because it is eight times saltier than the ocean, thanks to the unique geography of the area. This high salt content means that life is absent... -
Ultimate Street Food Experience – Best Summertime Snack in Jordan
Posted on June 1, 2011 | 10 CommentsOn the first day of touring Jordan, we drove past a roadside stand selling bright green watermelons when the driver, Mahmoud, made a comment that marked the beginning of an epic food quest. He said that one of his favorite things to do is to... -
Wadi Rum Desert Camp – The Facts and the Experience
Posted on May 31, 2011 | 6 CommentsIt had been a long day, but then again I was getting used to it during my trip to Jordan. There was a lot to do and see in the country, and the itinerary I requested from the Jordan Tourism Board had been ambitious. That... -
Jordan Tourism’s Petra Paradox
Posted on May 30, 2011 | 2 CommentsJordan is lucky when it comes to tourism, after all it is home to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. That alone is worth millions, if not more over time, in tourist revenue. But with this accolade has come a problem,... -
Hidden Amsterdam – The City Many People Never See
Posted on May 24, 2011 | 7 CommentsToday’s guest blogger is Colm Hanratty, Editor of Hostelworld.com, the internet’s leading hostel booking website. Colm manages the content on the site. This includes videos, podcasts, the blog and more. One of his favourite cities in the world is Amsterdam. Here he tells us of...
