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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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As Seen In:
Europe/Middle East Archive
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Travel Racism in the Middle East
Posted on August 7, 2011 | 23 CommentsTravel to the Middle East had been growing steadily for several years and was expected to peak this year. The events of the Arab Spring put all that growth into a tailspin, but not everywhere in the region and not equally. While many of the... -
World’s Best Entrance – Exploring the Siq at Petra
Posted on July 19, 2011 | 5 CommentsThe most visited site in Jordan is Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and perhaps best known for its cameo in Indiana Jones. I wrote briefly about the city and how, even though I expected it to amazing, it far surpassed... -
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... -
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,... -
Travel Spotlight – Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan
Posted on July 10, 2011 | No CommentsOn the drive from the Crusader castle at Karak to the Nabatean city of Petra, we stopped by one of Jordan’s greatest natural wonders, the Dana Biosphere Reserve. My first introduction to Dana was at a scenic overlook along the highway, home to a Jordanian... -
Picking the New Seven Wonders of Nature
Posted on July 7, 2011 | 9 CommentsA few years ago, there was an international contest to name the New 7 Wonders of the World. It was completely subjective and not based on any kind of qualified judgment, but was still a fascinating exercise in crowd sourcing. Ultimately, the 7 Wonders, as... -
Fumbling with Shisha in Amman Jordan
Posted on July 4, 2011 | 10 CommentsI lumbered off the plane after twelve-not-so-short hours in the air into the bustling city of Amman, Jordan jet lagged, but hungry. I knew that it was one of the few evenings I had completely to myself before starting my Jordan experience hosted by the... -
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... -
Snorkeling in the Red Sea with Video
Posted on June 26, 2011 | 1 CommentI’ve written many times about my love of the water, and activities in, on or around it are some of my favorite. When I had the chance to visit Jordan, as the guest of the Jordan Tourism Board, I knew I had to visit the... -
Five Favorite Moments in Jordan
Posted on June 20, 2011 | 3 CommentsMy trip to Jordan was at the kind invitation of the Jordan Tourism Board, and they made sure I had plenty of time to do everything on my wish list. The experience was an amazing one and fostered an instant and intense love for this... -
Getting Lost in the Thermal Pools and Waterfalls of Hammamat Ma’in, Jordan
Posted on June 14, 2011 | 5 CommentsWhile Jordan enjoys lush areas in certain parts of the country, and even large nature reserves, the fact is that large swaths of this Middle Eastern nation is desert. That doesn’t mean to say that it’s not beautiful, it’s stunning, and I discovered an inherent... -
Through the Gates Of Paradise at the Baptistery in Florence, Italy
Posted on June 13, 2011 | 16 CommentsToday I am thrilled to introduce this guest post by Jeff Titelius. Jeff is a true expert when it come to European travel and I am excited that he agreed to share some of his expertise with us here on LandLopers. For more of Jeff’s... -
Travel Spotlight – Palacio Real and Almudena Cathedral, Madrid, Spain
Posted on June 13, 2011 | 4 CommentsMadrid is one of those cities where I wish I had weeks to spend, instead of just days. It was my first time in Spain and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I experienced was simply amazing, and I can’t wait to see more... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Scotland
Posted on June 9, 2011 | 3 CommentsA regular feature on LandLopers is the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the best tips not... -
Ancient Ruins Overload and How Petra Saved Me
Posted on June 7, 2011 | 5 CommentsWhen I first saw my schedule from the Jordan Tourism Board, I got very excited. They were kind enough to invite me to explore their country, and I couldn’t wait. I love history and I knew that Jordan’s influence in the region and in world... -
Travel Spotlight: Desert Castles of Jordan – Qasr al-Amra
Posted on June 6, 2011 | 2 CommentsLocated in the desert east of Amman are a serious of curious structures, dotting the landscape almost randomly. These are the famous Desert Castles of Jordan, a remnant of the once dominant Umayyad empire. Built more than 1,200 years ago, these so-called castles didn’t have... -
Video Experience – Floating in the Dead Sea
Posted on June 5, 2011 | 3 CommentsA must-do experience for anyone visiting Jordan is a swim in the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is unique because it is eight times saltier than the ocean, thanks to the unique geography of the area. This high salt content means that life is absent... -
Cute Overload – Baby Camels of Jordan
Posted on June 2, 2011 | 12 CommentsI love animals, a lot. Throw in baby animals and my heart melts and I lose all control. While in Jordan, I was lucky enough to spend some time in the desert where, to my great joy, there had been a camel baby boom. Here... -
Ultimate Street Food Experience – Best Summertime Snack in Jordan
Posted on June 1, 2011 | 10 CommentsOn the first day of touring Jordan, we drove past a roadside stand selling bright green watermelons when the driver, Mahmoud, made a comment that marked the beginning of an epic food quest. He said that one of his favorite things to do is to... -
Wadi Rum Desert Camp – The Facts and the Experience
Posted on May 31, 2011 | 6 CommentsIt had been a long day, but then again I was getting used to it during my trip to Jordan. There was a lot to do and see in the country, and the itinerary I requested from the Jordan Tourism Board had been ambitious. That... -
Travel Spotlight – Romerberg, Frankfurt Germany
Posted on May 30, 2011 | 5 CommentsLocated across the street from Frankfurt’s city hall complex, the Römer, sit’s the gingerbread houses known as Römerberg. These historic timber-framed buildings recall the romance of Germany’s past through their old world, yet iconic style. While the originals were destroyed in World War II, the... -
Jordan Tourism’s Petra Paradox
Posted on May 30, 2011 | 2 CommentsJordan is lucky when it comes to tourism, after all it is home to Petra, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. That alone is worth millions, if not more over time, in tourist revenue. But with this accolade has come a problem,... -
Hidden Amsterdam – The City Many People Never See
Posted on May 24, 2011 | 7 CommentsToday’s guest blogger is Colm Hanratty, Editor of Hostelworld.com, the internet’s leading hostel booking website. Colm manages the content on the site. This includes videos, podcasts, the blog and more. One of his favourite cities in the world is Amsterdam. Here he tells us of... -
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting London
Posted on May 16, 2011 | 12 CommentsLondon was one of the first international destinations I visited as a young Loper. My first visit actually marked the beginning of a five week backpacking trip around England and Scotland after I graduated from college. I’ve been back a couple of times since, but... -
Trekking Through Jordan – The Itinerary
Posted on May 12, 2011 | 8 CommentsA couple of months ago I received an unexpected email from the fine people at the Jordan Tourism Board. They asked several travel bloggers to visit Jordan at various times to experience the country and share it with the world. Lucky for me they... -
Four Not to Miss Moments in Rome
Posted on May 11, 2011 | 8 CommentsThere are thousands of books, articles and blog posts about what to do in Rome. I think it is probably safe to say that the must-see list is well covered and I have every confidence that every tourist to the Eternal City will know... -
Cliffs and Domes – How to Cruise Through Santorini in a Day
Posted on May 9, 2011 | 12 CommentsThe small island of Santorini in Greece’s Cyclades, offers visitors a panorama that is world famous for its singular beauty. While many people travel to Santorini to spend a week or even more, thousands of people visit for a day as part of a... -
Travel Letdowns and Why I Don’t Like Athens
Posted on May 8, 2011 | 29 CommentsI was supposed to love it. Everyone told me I would love it. All the guide books and even Samantha Brown said I would love it. That’s why I felt so bad when I hated my travel experiences in Athens. We were on a Mediterranean... -
Five Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to Paris
Posted on May 5, 2011 | 29 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... -
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... -
London Pride – An American’s Look at the Royal Wedding
Posted on May 1, 2011 | 2 CommentsIn light of the fact that more than 2 billion people are believed to have watched the Royal Nuptials between the now Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, it will come as no shock to you that the wedding was a very big deal. Leading up... -
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 Worst Way to Visit the Vatican
Posted on April 13, 2011 | 19 CommentsA visit to Vatican City is a must for any tourist in Rome and not without reason. There is no need to go into the rich history, art and architecture of this tiny country, suffice it to say it is a remarkable place to... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Istanbul
Posted on April 13, 2011 | 3 CommentsA regular feature on LandLopers is the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the best tips not... -
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 | 13 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 | 3 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... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Madrid
Posted on March 31, 2011 | 2 CommentsI recently I started a new series on LandLopers, the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the... -
Footsteps of Sultans – Topkapi Palace, Istanbul
Posted on March 29, 2011 | 7 CommentsOur time in the iconic city of Istanbul was limited to two days. We were on a cruise of the Mediterranean and the adventure was like speed dating with the great capitals of classicism. At the end of the first day, just before its gates... -
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... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Dublin
Posted on March 15, 2011 | 13 CommentsI recently I started a new series on LandLopers, the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the... -
Frankfurt – Not as Boring as You Might Think
Posted on March 13, 2011 | 7 CommentsMy time in Germany was brief, less than a day, and my host Lufthansa was good enough to coordinate a tour of Frankfurt during the frantic weekend. In talking with people before and after the trip though, I quickly realized that there exists the somewhat... -
Global Appeal of Irish Pubs – World Invasion One Pint at a Time
Posted on March 10, 2011 | 5 CommentsEveryone seems to lament the fact that there are few places in the world where a McDonalds or Starbucks doesn’t exist. I was particularly surprised to find a Starbucks in Vienna, heart of the European coffee culture. But you don’t often hear people talk about... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in Rome
Posted on March 9, 2011 | 13 CommentsI recently I started a new series on LandLopers, the Interactive Travel Guide. The idea is to highlight one city or country every week and then get the best recommendations from you all. By the end of the week, we hopefully will have created the... -
Frankfurt Wine Trolley – Drunk Sightseeing at its Best
Posted on March 8, 2011 | 3 CommentsFrankfurt is a very serious town. Not only is it the heart of the German economic machine, but it also serves as the home of the European Central Bank, making it a city of global financial interest. In spite of, or maybe because of, this... -
Behind the Scenes at Frankfurt Airport – Lufthansa Hangar Tour
Posted on March 6, 2011 | 4 CommentsAt the kind invitation of Lufthansa, I spent a whirlwind weekend exploring the newest A380 to enter their fleet, as well as explore the Lufthansa base at Frankfurt Airport. Part of this unique experience was a guided tour through the Lufthansa Technik hangars. Lufthansa Technik...
