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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:
Europe/Middle East Archive
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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... -
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... -
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.... -
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... -
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... -
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.... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
Why Bother with Manneken Pis in Brussels
Posted on January 30, 2012 | 5 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 | 12 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 | 19 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 | 3 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 | 12 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 | 15 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 | 3 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...
