About Matt Long
Who am I? I am a typical Gen-Xer and recovering cubicle-dweller 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...
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Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
11 April 2013 11:55 PM | 17 Comments -
20 Things Every Smart Traveler Should Know
11 March 2013 11:55 PM | 33 Comments -
Five Foods You Must Eat in Europe
12 November 2012 8:10 PM | 23 Comments -
Five Reasons to Stop Dreaming and Travel Now
16 April 2012 11:55 PM | 47 Comments -
So What’s Reykjavik Really Like?
28 February 2012 11:55 PM | 30 Comments
As Seen In:
Europe/Middle East Archive
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First Thoughts on Croatia and Battling Misconceptions
Posted on June 16, 2013 | 11 CommentsThe human mind is a strange thing. At one moment it can be the most impressive creation in the history of the world, completing countless tasks and being a genuine marvel of nature. Then it can be an anchor, weighing us down in thoughts of... -
Exploring Sweden’s Marstrand Island & Why It’s a Great Escape
Posted on June 12, 2013 | 1 CommentWarm, sunny days are a precious commodity in Sweden, which is why the summer months are treasured like the precious gift they are. That is the time of year when many in Sweden flock to the coasts, rent a house or apartment and just relax... -
Feeling My Way Through a New City – My Zadar Experience
Posted on June 11, 2013 | 5 CommentsThe name sounded like another planet; either that or one of George R. R. Martin’s elaborately constructed fantasy cities. But it felt very real as I walked along the seaside promenade listening to the strange sounds of the Sea Organ and watching families play in... -
Walk Through Ghent, Belgium
Posted on June 10, 2013 | 7 CommentsA few months ago I found myself back in Ghent, Belgium, home to one of my worst travel disasters. I had attempted a ‘drive by sightseeing’ visit and it failed miserably. I left grumpy and vowed to never again return. Until I did. On my... -
Walk Through a New City: Gothenburg, Sweden
Posted on June 5, 2013 | 2 CommentsI have to be honest, before my trip to Sweden I had never heard of Sweden’s second-largest city, Gothenburg. Situated on Sweden’s West Coast, the city’s vibe was the first thing I noticed; friendly, warm and modern. Rather than take a tour or anything organized,... -
Toilet Paper and Crypts: Two Not to Miss Museums in Ghent, Belgium
Posted on June 4, 2013 | 3 CommentsOn my return visit to Ghent, I was fixated on one thing – giving it a second chance. My first trip to the Flemish city near Brussels didn’t go well, one might say it was a travel disaster. My second visit was better coordinated and... -
Follow Along As I Explore Croatia for the First Time (Plus Zagreb Sneak Peek)
Posted on June 4, 2013 | 8 CommentsThere are a few places that have been on my travel wish list for many years, and Croatia was one of them. I say was because I arrived yesterday into the city of Zagreb, Croatia to start what should be an amazing experience. For the... -
Five Unexpectedly (For Me) Awesome Beach Towns
Posted on May 28, 2013 | 1 CommentI must, no, I have to preface this post by emphasizing the fact that these seaside communities surprised me. Those who are familiar with the cities will not be surprised to learn that they are indeed great beachy destinations, but it’s a fact many people... -
A Swedish Tradition Everyone Should Try – Fika
Posted on May 23, 2013 | 2 CommentsOn my first day in Gothenburg, Sweden, my partner and I braved the rain and walked around town to try to get a sense of the community. Shops, trams and big open spaces were all found in ample quantities, as were coffee shops. At first... -
A New City for Your Travel List: Angoulême, France
Posted on May 22, 2013 | 24 CommentsLast year I had a great chance to explore France, something I am ashamed to say I had never done. Ashamed because Paris is my favorite city in the world and I’ve spent a lot of time there; I even lived there briefly. But until... -
Great Drives – Exploring The Villages and Inlets of Sweden’s West Coast
Posted on May 19, 2013 | 5 CommentsIt was my first time in Sweden and I had an admittedly unusual agenda for a first time visitor. I didn’t visit Stockholm or it famous neighborhoods, instead I was in West Sweden; a beautiful part of the country famous for its coastal getaways. Even... -
Tigers, Leopards and Wolves – Saving Lives at Norden’s Ark in Sweden
Posted on May 15, 2013 | No CommentsThe drive along the E6 from Gothenburg to the small area of Hunnebostrand in Western Sweden was the perfect first introduction to the landscapes of Sweden. Spring had not yet arrived, but it was threatening and the earliest of buds and blades of grass were... -
42 Things I Love About West Sweden
Posted on May 13, 2013 | 1 CommentI was in Sweden as part of the Car Plus Vacation promotion, highlighting Volvo’s program that allows overseas buyers to receive complimentary tickets to Sweden and to drive their new car around before Volvo ships it home for them. They’re also running a sweepstakes right... -
How to Buy a Car and Visit Sweden for Free (Plus a Sweepstakes!)
Posted on May 2, 2013 | 6 CommentsLast week I was in Sweden as part of an initiative cosponsored by Volvo, Visit Sweden, West Sweden Tourism and Skåne Tourism. The goal was to highlight a sweepstakes they have going on and to bring more attention to a cool program Volvo runs for... -
I Was Supposed to Like Florence, Italy
Posted on May 1, 2013 | 30 CommentsSo this has happened before. I travel to a destination, sometimes one that is universally loved, but I don’t have a great experience. I’ve written about it before and it happens to everyone, but I was shocked ( and still am) that it happened to... -
Seeing the Two Faces of Malmo, Sweden
Posted on April 28, 2013 | 3 CommentsThe last stop on my brief but thorough trip through the regions of West Sweden and the Skåne was Malmö, a city I was a little nervous to visit. I was nervous because I made the mistake of listening to what others thought of the... -
Sweden Itinerary and Your Chance to Win A Swedish Adventure
Posted on April 22, 2013 | 3 CommentsSo today I leave for Sweden, a new country for me and one that I’ve wanted to visit for a very long time. Knowing what I do and don’t like, I’ve always thought that I would love Sweden – this week I find out... -
Exploring the Medieval Village of Peratallada, Spain
Posted on April 21, 2013 | 4 CommentsI’ve had the good fortune of exploring Spain’s beautiful Costa Brava and Girona regions a couple of times, thanks to the kind invitation of Costa Brava Tourism. Both regions are tucked into the homey area known as Catalonia. This part of Spain has everything from... -
The Violet Lady of Toulouse (And Her Boat)
Posted on April 14, 2013 | 3 Comments“Did she just coo?” I asked my guide as we entered the riverboat. “Yes, yes she did,” was the smirk-laden rejoinder and my first introduction to the eccentric but absolutely passionate Violet Lady of Toulouse, Hélène Vié. In a city known for its unique obsession... -
Bologna in Five Bites
Posted on April 10, 2013 | 3 CommentsIn Italy there is a saying about Bologna, it is often labeled as ‘The Fat, the Red, the Learned.’ The red actually refers to the generous use of brick in their architecture (and not their political leanings as some believe) and the learned refers to... -
A Walk Through Aix en Provence
Posted on March 31, 2013 | 4 CommentsThe very word Provence stimulates my prefrontal cortex, which in turn creates a response causing my heart to beat faster and my eyes to twitch, just a bit. Provence is one of those dream locations that many of us dream about. Visions of vast... -
Oh Marseille, What Happened?
Posted on March 27, 2013 | 28 CommentsIt’s partly my fault, I realize that. I was on a crazy schedule around France (which I agreed to) and frankly some cities suffered from lack of time. Marseille was one of those cities. But I refuse to accept all of the culpability, I’d like... -
A Walk Through Toulouse, France
Posted on March 19, 2013 | 13 CommentsToulouse was one of those cities that I had heard of many times before, but didn’t actually know anything about. That all changed when I stepped off the train into what is a vibrant, energetic and beautiful city of more than half a million people,... -
Four Things You Don’t Know About Milan
Posted on March 13, 2013 | 2 CommentsI didn’t know quite to expect when I visited Milan for the first time, but I do know that I left with a whole new appreciation for this beautiful northern Italian city. I learned a lot during my stay in Milan, but these facts surprised... -
42 Things I Love About Dublin
Posted on March 12, 2013 | 3 Comments1. Guinness 2. Enjoying the rich music scene in town 3. Eating a giant scone at Keogh Cafe 4. Crossing Ha’penny Bridge, for free nowadays 5. Strolling around beautiful Merrion Square 6. Being surprised by the beauty of City Hall 7. Pub crawl! 8. Learning... -
Why You Should Give Ghent a Chance
Posted on March 6, 2013 | 6 CommentsWhen it comes to European travel, Ghent is not often the first city that comes to mind. For a multitude of reasons this Flemish city in Belgium has been so badly maligned that many don’t even consider visiting. That’s a shame, a travesty really, because... -
Milan with HomeAway Vacation Rentals – Video Overview
Posted on February 24, 2013 | No CommentsI’ve been experimenting a little bit with making videos lately and here is my most recent effort. It’s a look at the Milan I saw while staying with HomeAway Vacation Rentals. I’ve used HomeAway Vacation Rentals a couple of times, and each time I’ve been... -
What Not to Do in Bologna, Italy
Posted on February 20, 2013 | 6 CommentsBologna in Northern Italy is an ancient city, but one that sometimes gets overlooked. Even though I didn’t spend a lot of time there, I grew to love it very quickly and can’t wait to return and explore more of the city. While there’s a... -
A Walk Through Florence, Italy
Posted on February 7, 2013 | 8 CommentsIt was my first time in Florence, the capital of the Italian Renaissance and I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t wait to see the art, architecture and style that has defined this Italian city for centuries. Since I only had a day I took a Walks... -
Manneken, Jeanneke and Zinneke – Hunting for the Peeing Statues of Brussels
Posted on February 5, 2013 | 5 CommentsEvery city has its landmarks and famous sights. Paris has its Tower and London its great clock, but Brussels is a little different. One of the most famous attractions in the city isn’t a remnant of a World’s Fair or an architectural marvel, no it’s... -
Unexpected Travel – My First Date with Chur
Posted on January 29, 2013 | 4 CommentsI knew we didn’t have a lot of time in Switzerland, but there was nothing I could do. We were traveling by train from Italy to Brussels and the great Alpine nation of neutrality was just a pit stop, a way station. I promised myself... -
42 Things I Love About Ghent
Posted on January 27, 2013 | 16 Comments1. Relaxing in Citadel Park 2. Enjoying the works of the great Flemish Masters at the Museum of Fine Arts 3. Lunch at the Het Groot Vleeshuis for a taste of Ghent specialties 4. Climbing to the top of St. Bavo’s or the Gravensteen for... -
Foggy Walk Through Milan
Posted on January 22, 2013 | 9 CommentsOn my last trip to Italy I used the tour company Walks of Italy for most of our Italian walking tour experiences and loved every minute of them. In recent years I’ve become a convert to the importance of a high quality walking tour in... -
Ghent in Five Tastes
Posted on January 15, 2013 | 5 CommentsI knew that Belgium was a great foodie destination, but I was surprised to learn that Ghent has its own cuisine unique to the city. I experienced a lot of great food while visiting on a trip organized by Ghent Tourism but these tastes were... -
Music, Whisky and My First Travel Crush
Posted on January 14, 2013 | 5 CommentsGas cost $1.15 a gallon and you could buy a loaf of bread for less than two bucks. Peace was reached in Northern Ireland, the US had a budget surplus, Google was founded, Buffy was slaying vampires and Bill Clinton swore he didn’t have sexual... -
Lost and Found in Venice
Posted on January 13, 2013 | 16 CommentsI didn’t want to go to Venice, had no desire really. My partner made the great point though that we were only a couple of hours away and that I might not get another chance for a long time. So it was with reluctance that... -
First Timer’s Guide to Iceland
Posted on January 10, 2013 | 13 CommentsIt was dark as we arrived in Reykjavik, it would be dark for most of our stay, but I didn’t care. I was excited and charged to finally be in the capital of cool, Iceland. In recent years Iceland’s popularity has exploded, thanks to great... -
Spending a Day at the Gelato University and Museum in Bologna
Posted on January 9, 2013 | 9 CommentsIt didn’t look like the Wonka Factory. That’s what I imagined a Gelato University would look like. Giant heaps of ice cream and other fantastical delights to entertain and bring joy strewn about like a moving feast. Executives jumping into giant vats of ice cream,... -
The Great Brussels Christmas Tree Controversy
Posted on January 7, 2013 | 5 CommentsIt was huge and purple. The massive construction soared more than 80 feet into the air and throbbed in time with the lights and music. I stood there, staring at it trying to understand what the problem was. No, it wasn’t traditional but when the... -
Second Chances – My Return To Ghent, Belgium
Posted on January 6, 2013 | 6 CommentsIn December 2011 my partner and I rented a condo in Brussels and took several day trips to explore the region. One of our stops was in the Flemish city of Ghent, a quick train ride from Brussels. I showed up without any clue of... -
Is the South of France Worth the Hype?
Posted on January 3, 2013 | 11 CommentsThere are certain places in the world that everyone seems to want to visit. Australia, Paris and New York are almost always on these lists, but so is the south of France and I’m not quite sure why. It probably has to do with the... -
42 Things I Love About Milan
Posted on January 2, 2013 | 7 Comments1. Checking out the high fashion on the Quad d’Oro 2. Learning not to sit down when ordering an espresso 3. Getting lost in the labyrinthine side streets 4. Tasting the local dishes, including my favorite veal milanese 5. Pizza! 6. Quiet time at Basilica... -
The Hills Are Alive: A Journey Along the Bernina Express
Posted on December 31, 2012 | 6 CommentsJust a couple of hours north of Milan lies the Italian mountain town of Tirano. No, not Torino the site of the 2006 Olympic Games, which is slightly confusing when planning a trip. The lesser known Tirano may not have held the world stage like... -
Festive Christmas in Italy Photo Series
Posted on December 20, 2012 | 4 CommentsThis week I’ve been exploring parts of Northern and Central Italy, seeing the sights and embracing the Christmas spirit that’s found everywhere here. I love celebrating the holidays in Europe because everything seems so much more festive than at home. FESTIVE is also the theme... -
Five Reasons Christmas is a Great Time to Visit Europe
Posted on December 12, 2012 | 10 Comments1. Sights – A highlight of any European vacation are the amazing sites, from the Vatican to the Eiffel Tower and everything in between. During the holidays all of these famous landmarks are even more fun to visit. If you’re religious, then the many churches... -
Three of My Favorite Views in Avignon, France
Posted on November 11, 2012 | No CommentsAlthough my time in the ancient city of Avignon was short, I was determined to see and do as much as possible. Most people are familiar with this southern French town from the children’s song “On the bridge in Avignon,” but as I learned there’s... -
Spanish For Gin and Tonic is…
Posted on November 8, 2012 | 2 CommentsI’m not normally a big fan of hard liquor; beer and wine are usually fine with me. And if I were to ever have hard liquor, I can guarantee you that it wouldn’t be a gin and tonic. That drink seems relegated to an older... -
42 Things I Love About the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees in Spain
Posted on November 6, 2012 | 12 Comments1. Learning how to make aioli the RIGHT way 2. Visit to Llívia, the only Catalan town surrounded by France 3. Eating dinner inside a volcano in Olot 4. Delicious and succulent ham, all the time and everywhere 5. Skiing at La Molina high in... -
Three Ways to Relax in London
Posted on November 2, 2012 | 3 CommentsLondon can be a very hectic place, as only befitting one of the great capital cities of the world. For the casual tourist this non-stop frenzy of people and things to do can be a lot to handle, particularly if you’re only there for a... -
Walking Through Bruges at Christmas
Posted on October 31, 2012 | 18 CommentsBruges is one of those classically European towns that just oozes with charm and beauty. It’s almost as if Disney had masterminded the entire visitor experience, from horse drawn carriages to the intricately gabled roofs. Add to this the magic of the Christmas holiday season...
