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:
Belgium Archive
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Walk Through Ghent, Belgium
Posted on June 10, 2013 | 6 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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
Five of the Least Scary Places in the World
Posted on October 30, 2012 | 8 CommentsThe leaves have turned, there’s a chill in the air and smells of apple pie and fresh cider have filled the kitchens of millions. Fall is here and with it the favorite holiday of many, Halloween. In the past I’ve written about fun places to... -
Five Cities That Deserve a Second Chance
Posted on October 8, 2012 | 32 CommentsTravel isn’t always rainbows and baby camels. Sometimes bad things happen and sometimes we visit places that we don’t like. I know, I know, there’s something good to be found everywhere; except when you don’t want to find it. Usually when I don’t like a... -
Five Reasons to Visit Brussels
Posted on September 5, 2012 | 8 CommentsI knew I’d like Brussels well before my first visit; it’s just one of those places with which I have always felt a connection. So it was never a question of whether or not I’d enjoy my week in the Belgian capital, it was to... -
Capturing Christmas Magic at Brussels’ Winter Wonders Festival
Posted on August 26, 2012 | 7 CommentsBrussels smells like sweet dough just before it’s cooked to a golden crisp. The intoxicating aroma of street vendors frying thousands of waffles for locals and tourists alike is always a fixture in the Belgian capital, but the culinary delights are only magnified during the... -
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... -
42 Things I Love About Brussels
Posted on March 8, 2012 | 10 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... -
Comparing Bruges and Ghent – Flemish Travel Showdown
Posted on February 22, 2012 | 12 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... -
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... -
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... -
Why Bother with Manneken Pis in Brussels
Posted on January 30, 2012 | 6 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.... -
In Honor of the Fry: Exploring the Frietmuseum in Brugge
Posted on January 18, 2012 | 5 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,... -
Surprising Divisions in Belgium – A Schooling in the Meaning of Flanders
Posted on January 10, 2012 | 4 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... -
Join Me as I Explore the Christmas Markets of Europe
Posted on December 15, 2011 | 5 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... -
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...
