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
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Five Foods You Must Eat in Europe
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Five Reasons to Stop Dreaming and Travel Now
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As Seen In:
Israel Archive
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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... -
Airport Security Woes – My Experience Leaving Israel
Posted on October 5, 2011 | 9 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... -
Travel Superlatives and the Lowest Bar in the World
Posted on September 21, 2011 | 4 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,... -
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... -
Four Not to Miss Experiences in Jerusalem
Posted on July 18, 2011 | 6 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... -
Travels of a Reluctant Pilgrim
Posted on June 29, 2011 | 3 CommentsI 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... -
In Search of the Religious Trifecta in Jerusalem
Posted on May 4, 2011 | 6 CommentsPlease note: The photo of the Kotel was not taken on the Sabbath, as that is strictly prohibited. Jerusalem, the historic capital of Israel, is a city in conflict. Not just what one sees on the nightly news, but the city is in conflict... -
Touring the Past to Learn about the Present in the City of David
Posted on April 21, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe Sunday before I left on a solo trip to Israel, we were sitting on the couch watching 60 Minutes and eating some delicious Indian takeout. As I consumed the last morsel of naan a story highlighting the City of David in Jerusalem came on.... -
Exploring the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem
Posted on April 19, 2011 | 3 CommentsInitially, Jerusalem can be an incredibly confusing city. Centuries of constant habitation has resulted in a maze of alleys, side streets and endless souks, all of which look amazingly similar to each other. After a few days though, certain landmarks or starting points begin to... -
A Visit to Forgotten Muristan
Posted on April 18, 2011 | 1 CommentNo it’s not a small country in the former Soviet Union, nor is it a far flung province of Afghanistan or even China. While it doesn’t enjoy borders or even many inhabitants, Muristan is one of the most important neighborhoods in world history, found in... -
The Best Rubble in Palestine
Posted on April 12, 2011 | 2 CommentsIt was hot, I was hungry and there were still thirty minutes to kill at the Ahava Temptation tourist depot in Jericho. I signed up with a tour group of seven others for a day-long trip around areas of Israel and the West Bank, the... -
My Unvisit to the Temple Mount
Posted on April 12, 2011 | 14 CommentsJerusalem has many important sites, both in historical and religious contexts, usually a combination of both. The three great monotheistic religions of the world, Christianity, Judaism and Islam, each claim the city as holy and have corresponding sites of importance in the great capital of... -
Chasing History – In Search of the Last Supper in Jerusalem
Posted on April 5, 2011 | 1 CommentIt was my last full day in Jerusalem, and I wasn’t sure how to spend the afternoon. I had prioritized the sights in the ancient city and thanks to a furious travel style, achieved most of my goals. That’s why I found myself sitting on... -
Walking the Via Dolorosa and Stations of the Cross in Jerusalem: A Guide
Posted on April 3, 2011 | 5 CommentsThere were many things I wanted to do in Jerusalem, and walking the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Suffering, was high on the list. The circuitous route is believed by many to follow the path that Jesus walked, carrying his cross, on the way... -
Spiritual Travel in Jerusalem
Posted on March 27, 2011 | 5 CommentsI wouldn’t call myself a religious person, per se. Rather, I am spiritual and have always had a profound interest in religion, all religions. I was raised Lutheran in a small Pennsylvania town by two parents who had only a passing interest in the subject... -
Tumult in the Middle East and What it Means for Travelers
Posted on March 23, 2011 | 5 CommentsThe world has been a tumultuous place recently. Uprisings, protests, earthquakes and nuclear meltdowns have all made the headlines lately. Then, just yesterday, a bomb exploded near the Central Bus Station in downtown Jerusalem; the first such bombing in more than seven years. It’s not... -
When Budget Travel Goes Wrong – Alcazar Hotel
Posted on February 13, 2011 | 9 CommentsI’ve always been very careful when describing the mission of LandLopers. Yes, the site is about budget travel, but comfortable budget travel. I don’t believe that you have to couch surf in order to have an affordable vacation. I’m in my mid-thirties, I am a... -
Beach Etiquette in Tel Aviv
Posted on February 10, 2011 | 6 CommentsI didn’t have a lot of time in Tel Aviv, I had spent most of my time in Israel exploring the rich history of Jerusalem. Because of time constraints, I wasn’t able to give Tel Aviv, and many other areas in Israel, the time... -
Jerusalem Underground – Zedekiah’s Cave
Posted on January 24, 2011 | 5 CommentsDuring the Jerusalem leg of my trip to Israel, I stayed at a small hotel in East Jerusalem, not far from the walls of the Old City. I chose the strange, poorly kept hotel for its price and proximity to everything I wanted to see... -
Floating in the Dead Sea
Posted on January 11, 2011 | 5 CommentsA must-do experience for anyone visiting Israel or Jordan is a swim in the Dead Sea. I was on an all-day tour of major sites near Jerusalem when I made my visit to one of the many Dead Sea resorts, Kalia Beach. It was a... -
Favorite 2010 Travel Photos Day 5 – Cliffs of Masada
Posted on December 31, 2010 | No CommentsThe #1 pick for my favorite travel photo of 2010 is this view of the Judean Desert and the Dead Sea from the cliffs of Masada. When I visited in October the heat was sweltering atop the cliffs of this ancient fortress, which rise more... -
Lopers Award for Favorite Travel Destination of 2010
Posted on December 31, 2010 | 2 CommentsEvery day this week I have highlighted a favorite travel experience from 2010 with something I call the Lopers Awards. Today I want to share with you my one, favorite travel destination of the year. As I sat down to write this post, I had... -
Lopers Award for Favorite Travel Moment of 2010
Posted on December 30, 2010 | No CommentsEvery day this week I will be highlighting a favorite travel experience from 2010 with something I call the Lopers Awards. Today I want to share with you my one, favorite travel moment of the year. This was an exceptionally difficult decision to make. From... -
Jerusalem Ramparts Walk
Posted on December 22, 2010 | No CommentsJerusalem is a city of history and meaning, but it is also a city of gorgeous views and panorama. There are many ways in which to seek out unique views of this ancient town, but the ramparts walk is one of the best. The old... -
Finding Pom Wonderful in Israel
Posted on December 10, 2010 | 1 CommentI did a lot of walking in Jerusalem, most of it in the blazing heat. Given my brief time in the city I made sure I did and saw as much as possible, but I also made sure to rest and take a few breaks... -
Jerusalem: Two Perspectives
Posted on December 9, 2010 | 2 CommentsIt was my last evening in Jerusalem and I had just spent the day with a new friend, a travel writer who happened to be in town at the same time. We explored Yad Vashem and he was gracious enough to teach me the ins... -
Bauhaus and The White City
Posted on December 2, 2010 | 1 CommentTel Aviv is a very unusual city. First, even though the oldest port in the world Jaffa is adjacent, Tel Aviv itself is only 100 years old; practically an infant in Israel. Because of its youth, Tel Aviv had certain opportunities that other cities in... -
Walk to Jaffa
Posted on November 19, 2010 | 7 CommentsOne of the travel items I like to carry around, if it’s available, is the Frommer’s Day by Day guide for whatever city I’m visiting. This is in no way a paid advert and I’m not sucking up to the fine folks at Frommer’s, I... -
The Great Israeli Falafel Experiment
Posted on November 11, 2010 | 11 CommentsI have an insatiable and undeniable love with almost all forms of street food. I’m not talking about the fancy New York City food trucks either. No, I am talking about the food you see being sold from small storefronts or carts all throughout the... -
Israeli Army Scavenger Hunt
Posted on November 4, 2010 | 5 CommentsIt was the only time I got lost in Jerusalem. I had tried to find the entrance to the Temple Mount and after hours of circumnavigating the Old City, dodging souk merchants and tour groups, I was told that it wasn’t open yet. Actually, turns... -
The Best Worst Tourist Trap Ever
Posted on November 2, 2010 | 7 CommentsIt had been a long day. The tour left from Jerusalem promptly at 7am where we proceeded to visit and tour Qum’ran, Masada and the Dead Sea. By the time we arrived in Jericho it was 2pm and we were starving. I was honestly a... -
Budget Travel Case Study: Israel
Posted on November 1, 2010 | 15 CommentsIf you read my site regularly or follow me on Twitter, then you no doubt know that I recently returned from a trip to Israel. It was a remarkable adventure that created memories which I will carry for a lifetime. Given the location and length... -
Friday Night Walk to the Kotel
Posted on October 22, 2010 | 1 CommentI captured this image while on my way to the Kotel, or the Western Wall. The combination of smoke emanating from the nearby food stalls and the mad rush to get to the wall made for a wonderful frenzy. -
Follow Me to Israel
Posted on October 21, 2010 | 2 CommentsLater this evening, I will be embarking on an 11 hour flight from Philadelphia to Tel Aviv for a remarkable adventure. I am traveling solo to Israel for a week to tour about and see as much as I can in this small, but remarkable...
