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 | 15 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 | 44 Comments -
So What’s Reykjavik Really Like?
28 February 2012 11:55 PM | 30 Comments
As Seen In:
France Archive
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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... -
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 | 27 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,... -
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... -
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... -
City of Lights – A Walk Through Paris at Christmas
Posted on October 14, 2012 | 10 CommentsParis excites my travel imagination any time of year, but during the winter holidays the magic of the city seems to expand exponentially. In a veritable travel grenade of food, culture and urban beauty Paris explodes into a city not to be missed around the... -
Rebuilding American History in France – The Hermione Project
Posted on September 9, 2012 | 2 CommentsIn 1789, the Marquis de Lafayette sailed from Rochefort, France headed for Boston, where he would change the course of world history. La Fayette brought with him the news that the French Empire was entering the American Revolution in defense of the rebel colonists and... -
Scottish Winemaking in Rural France (No, Really)
Posted on August 29, 2012 | No CommentsI was already mesmerized by the perfect French countryside on the drive to Chateau de Mayragues. By perfect I mean that the hills dotted with red flowers and rustic barns seemed to have jumped out of a work by Monet. THIS was France, this was... -
Finally Dancing on the Bridge in Avignon, France
Posted on August 12, 2012 | 12 CommentsWhen I first started French lessons in middle school, my instructor taught us a popular French folk song, “Sur le pont d’Avignon” or “On the Bridge in Avignon.” According to the song “On the bridge in Avignon, we all dance, again and again.” I don’t... -
Five Travel Surprises in a City You May Not Know: Albi, France
Posted on July 25, 2012 | 10 CommentsBefore my French Escape trip, I wasn’t familiar with many of the small towns I visited in Southwest France. I’m not proud of that because not only are these towns amazing places to visit, they each have interesting and long histories which are worthy... -
Five French Towns You Should Visit ASAP
Posted on July 17, 2012 | 39 CommentsFrance is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, thanks in large part to the capital city, the City of Lights, La Belle Ville Paris. But as I recently discovered there are many amazing towns and cities sprinkled throughout the country and... -
Following the Path of Van Gogh in Arles
Posted on July 3, 2012 | 7 CommentsI may not be an art aficionado, but there are certain artists I love and Van Gogh is near the top of that list. I’m not sure why I enjoy his work so much, but the colors and composition have always spoken to me. That’s... -
More Than Just a Flashy Drink – Discovering the Real Cognac in France
Posted on June 27, 2012 | 6 CommentsCognac in the United States has never been more popular, yet it’s also never been more misunderstood. This classic French after dinner drink enjoys a starring role in the exploits of music super stars and some of the top athletes in the country. But it... -
Free Isn’t Always Good – Why You Should Pay for a Tour Guide
Posted on June 17, 2012 | 17 CommentsLast year I wrote about my belief that a good tour guide can transform a travel experience into something remarkable. I’m not talking about full-week, coach tours from hell. I’m referring to tour guides you can hire for a day or half a day to... -
My New Favorite Tour Type – Biking Through La Rochelle, France
Posted on June 12, 2012 | 4 CommentsI’ve written a lot about day tours and how much I enjoy them. Rather than committing to a week long, herded around like lemmings kind of experience, a well done walking or day tour can add a lot of value to a trip. One style... -
Thoughts and Musings about Exploring France – Not Paris
Posted on May 28, 2012 | 12 CommentsLast week, as I hope you know, I traversed the South-West region of France to see and explore areas completely new to me. I have been to Paris many times, I speak French, I love French culture and yet I had never gone further outside... -
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... -
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... -
Travel Snobbery and the Importance of Being a Corny Tourist in Paris
Posted on February 8, 2012 | 43 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 Ultimate Food Walk Through Paris with Context Tours
Posted on January 3, 2012 | 13 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... -
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... -
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... -
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,... -
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Paris
Posted on May 5, 2011 | 30 CommentsMy first trip to Paris was eighteen years ago and while I have returned many times since, that first visit is an experience I will never forget. Here are just a few of the tips I wish I knew before that first great visit to... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Paris
Posted on January 17, 2011 | 14 CommentsI believe that we are bearing witness to a huge paradigm shift in travel planning and preparation. As social networks continue to grow and mature, they will replace many traditional information sources. In the spirit of this revolution, I want to introduce a new series... -
Favorite Touron Spot – Montmartre
Posted on October 24, 2010 | 3 CommentsI have many favorite places around the world where I love to just relax and revel in being a tourist. One of my favorite spots is Montmartre, in Paris. Montmartre is a top tourist spot not only for its amazing, and free (I’m looking at... -
Strolling in Paris
Posted on September 29, 2010 | 5 CommentsThere are few areas of Paris as instantly recognizable as Île de la Cité and the fabulous Cathédrale Notre-Dame. Even though this part of town is without question among the most touristed, it remains one of my favorite. I love strolling along the Seine, glancing... -
Four Offbeat Paris Experiences
Posted on June 1, 2010 | 9 CommentsParis is the most popular tourist destination in the world, so it is remarkable if there is anything new for the visitor to discover. While these spots may be familiar to some, for many they offer a unique view of the City of Light....
