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
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Destinations Archive
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Weird America – What International Travel Writers Think About the U.S.
Posted on February 11, 2013 | 30 CommentsTravel is necessarily colored by our backgrounds and personalities. These factors along with many more shape our travel experience and ultimately decide for us what we think about new destinations. Being American, I’m somewhat blind to our national eccentricities and so I wanted to find... -
Five Not to Miss Cape Town Experiences
Posted on February 10, 2013 | 10 Comments1. Table Mountain – No visit to Cape Town can be considered complete with a visit to the city’s most iconic image, Table Mountain. Well, unless you’re me. When I visited the cable car to the top was out of service, so I sadly never... -
A Walk Through Florence, Italy
Posted on February 7, 2013 | 8 CommentsIt was my first time in Florence, the capital of the Italian Renaissance and I couldn’t wait. I couldn’t wait to see the art, architecture and style that has defined this Italian city for centuries. Since I only had a day I took a Walks... -
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... -
On Safari in Botswana
Posted on February 3, 2013 | 11 CommentsLast year I had a remarkable opportunity to explore Southern Africa for the first time. It was just a small taste, but it immediately provoked a deep and unabiding love of this sometimes confounding but always beautiful region. As an animal lover a highlight were... -
My Next Adventure – Journey to Antarctica and the Bottom of the World
Posted on January 31, 2013 | 8 CommentsThere are certain places in the world that grip my imagination and never let go. The Australian Outback, safari in Africa, the wildlife in the Galapagos and of course Antarctica. Last year I found myself in the middle of the Chobe River in Namibia,... -
Eleuthera – Where It Is and Why To Go
Posted on January 30, 2013 | 7 CommentsI couldn’t pronounce it when I first read the name of the Bahamian island on a map, and to be honest I still really can’t pronounce it very well. But I don’t need to be able to say it properly in order to share with... -
Unexpected Travel – My First Date with Chur
Posted on January 29, 2013 | 4 CommentsI knew we didn’t have a lot of time in Switzerland, but there was nothing I could do. We were traveling by train from Italy to Brussels and the great Alpine nation of neutrality was just a pit stop, a way station. I promised myself... -
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... -
Simple Joy of a Beach – What Exactly Is Paradise?
Posted on January 25, 2013 | 4 CommentsThis weekend I’m hanging out on Harbour Island in the Bahamas as the guest of Bahamas Tourism, a perfect corner of paradise if there ever was one. I’ve been doing a lot of non-beach travel lately, in fact it’s been a year since I’ve felt... -
Foggy Walk Through Milan
Posted on January 22, 2013 | 9 CommentsOn my last trip to Italy I used the tour company Walks of Italy for most of our Italian walking tour experiences and loved every minute of them. In recent years I’ve become a convert to the importance of a high quality walking tour in... -
What NOT To Do in Montreal
Posted on January 20, 2013 | 17 CommentsI love Montreal but like every destination there are things you should and shouldn’t do when you visit. On a twist on the ever popular blog meme, here is my list of things to avoid doing at all costs when visiting Montreal. Don’t learn any... -
Staying at the Most Photographed Hotel in the World
Posted on January 17, 2013 | 6 CommentsThe savvy traveler in me would like to say that it was the history and Old World beauty that first drew me to Quebec City, but I don’t think that’s true. No, I think I succumbed to an age-old travel habit, traveling somewhere just to... -
Bangkok in Five Photos – What Makes It So Damn Appealing?
Posted on January 16, 2013 | 16 CommentsIt’s hot, crowded and an assault on the senses, but millions of people descend on the capital of Thailand every year to spend some time in this legendary city. But why? What makes Bangkok so appealing that it not only draws newbies, but inspires thousands... -
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... -
Music, Whisky and My First Travel Crush
Posted on January 14, 2013 | 5 CommentsGas cost $1.15 a gallon and you could buy a loaf of bread for less than two bucks. Peace was reached in Northern Ireland, the US had a budget surplus, Google was founded, Buffy was slaying vampires and Bill Clinton swore he didn’t have sexual... -
Lost and Found in Venice
Posted on January 13, 2013 | 16 CommentsI didn’t want to go to Venice, had no desire really. My partner made the great point though that we were only a couple of hours away and that I might not get another chance for a long time. So it was with reluctance that... -
First Timer’s Guide to Iceland
Posted on January 10, 2013 | 13 CommentsIt was dark as we arrived in Reykjavik, it would be dark for most of our stay, but I didn’t care. I was excited and charged to finally be in the capital of cool, Iceland. In recent years Iceland’s popularity has exploded, thanks to great... -
Spending a Day at the Gelato University and Museum in Bologna
Posted on January 9, 2013 | 9 CommentsIt didn’t look like the Wonka Factory. That’s what I imagined a Gelato University would look like. Giant heaps of ice cream and other fantastical delights to entertain and bring joy strewn about like a moving feast. Executives jumping into giant vats of ice cream,... -
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... -
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... -
42 Things I Love About Milan
Posted on January 2, 2013 | 7 Comments1. Checking out the high fashion on the Quad d’Oro 2. Learning not to sit down when ordering an espresso 3. Getting lost in the labyrinthine side streets 4. Tasting the local dishes, including my favorite veal milanese 5. Pizza! 6. Quiet time at Basilica... -
The Hills Are Alive: A Journey Along the Bernina Express
Posted on December 31, 2012 | 6 CommentsJust a couple of hours north of Milan lies the Italian mountain town of Tirano. No, not Torino the site of the 2006 Olympic Games, which is slightly confusing when planning a trip. The lesser known Tirano may not have held the world stage like... -
Travel Bloggers Picks for Top 2013 Travel Destinations
Posted on December 27, 2012 | 21 CommentsI thought about writing a post featuring the destinations I think people should consider visiting in 2013 but then I realized the limitations to that exercise, namely the fact I haven’t been everywhere. So in order to provide a well rounded list of places... -
Festive Christmas in Italy Photo Series
Posted on December 20, 2012 | 4 CommentsThis week I’ve been exploring parts of Northern and Central Italy, seeing the sights and embracing the Christmas spirit that’s found everywhere here. I love celebrating the holidays in Europe because everything seems so much more festive than at home. FESTIVE is also the theme... -
My Picks For Best and Worst Travel Experiences of 2012
Posted on December 19, 2012 | 11 CommentsI can hear the virtual groans now, another self-reflective slightly saccharine overview of 2012? Well no, I hope not. But it is a good time of year to think back on everything that I’ve done and what I’ve been through and I want to share... -
Five Things You (Probably) Don’t Know About Quebec City
Posted on December 17, 2012 | 12 Comments1. French Not Required – Quebec is a complicated province. Thanks to a quirky history, the province is a bastion of French life in North America. French is the majority and sole official language of the province and about 80% of the population are native... -
Walking Through New York During the Holidays
Posted on December 14, 2012 | 14 CommentsEven a city as large and extreme as New York City gets into the holiday spirit, although in a way completely unique from any other city in the world. A combination of long held traditions and more modern but no less fun experiences have crafted... -
Five Reasons Christmas is a Great Time to Visit Europe
Posted on December 12, 2012 | 10 Comments1. Sights – A highlight of any European vacation are the amazing sites, from the Vatican to the Eiffel Tower and everything in between. During the holidays all of these famous landmarks are even more fun to visit. If you’re religious, then the many churches... -
42 Things I Love About Montreal
Posted on December 11, 2012 | 7 Comments1. Strange mix of Old and New World that IS Montreal 2. Wandering around McGill University 3. River surfing 4. Looking for the traditional Parisian metro sign at Victoria Square 5. Shopping at the old Bon Secours Market 6. Wandering around the Quai Jacques Cartier... -
No Coat Required – Taking the Montreal Underground City Challenge
Posted on December 9, 2012 | 8 Comments“Yes, it’s possible,” our guide said as he rattled off a chain of directions I had no chance of remembering. He looked confused when we asked whether or not it was possible to get back to our hotel without going above ground, but the more... -
Exploring the Night Markets of Luang Prabang, Laos
Posted on December 4, 2012 | 16 CommentsOne dollar all you can eat dinner. That’s the one piece of advice I remembered as we boarded the small plane leaving Bangkok for Luang Prabang, Laos. It was my first time in this sometimes overlooked, landlocked Southeast Asian nation and I had no idea... -
Wandering Through Old Quebec City at Christmas
Posted on December 2, 2012 | 9 CommentsWhether or not you’re a religious person it’s hard to deny a certain warm feeling that walking through a great city during the holidays provides. Some cities do this better than others and my all time favorites tend to be in Europe. But if you’re... -
Five Things You Should Know Before Going on Safari
Posted on November 28, 2012 | 25 Comments1. Be prepared – Going on a safari is not your standard travel experience. First of all, it’s probably the result of a lot of planning and saving on your part and because of that you expect to get a lot out of the experience.... -
Five Travel Time Sucks That Are Worth The Wait
Posted on November 27, 2012 | 13 CommentsI’ve always maintained that certain tourist attractions are popular for a reason, they’re amazing. Some elitists may turn their nose to wanting a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower or taking a gondola in Venice, but for most people these are the experiences that... -
Quebec City in Five Photos
Posted on November 25, 2012 | 19 CommentsAfter years of pining, I recently had the opportunity to explore the picturesque town of Quebec City. I have long drooled over the photos of European style shops and stories of warm people and delicious food and I wasn’t disappointed. Everything I had heard about... -
Victoria Falls – Natural Wonder or Just Some Noisy Water?
Posted on November 19, 2012 | 12 CommentsIn 1855 David Livingstone found himself in a canoe traveling down the Zambezi River towards what the locals called ‘smoke that thunders.’ The sound is what he heard first, a tremendous roar heard from miles away. Then as they approached the thick columns of spray,... -
Meeting a Black Rhino in Africa
Posted on November 14, 2012 | 7 CommentsI love animals and the opportunity to go on multiple game drives in Africa was a once in a lifetime experience I’ll never forget. The fun and excitement turned serious though when I found myself a couple of feet from the elusive and endangered Black... -
Cape Town’s Alcatraz – A Somber Visit to Robben Island
Posted on November 11, 2012 | 4 CommentsThe sign at the ticket office said that all tours for the next two weeks were sold out, weird for winter in South Africa. But sure enough, the ferry was packed with tourists and locals alike as we made the short trip to one of... -
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... -
Spanish For Gin and Tonic is…
Posted on November 8, 2012 | No CommentsI’m not normally a big fan of hard liquor; beer and wine are usually fine with me. And if I were to ever have hard liquor, I can guarantee you that it wouldn’t be a gin and tonic. That drink seems relegated to an older... -
Travel in Tokyo – Three Personal Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Posted on November 7, 2012 | 13 CommentsI had no idea what I was looking at. The plastic food looked so pretty in the shop window, but I don’t speak Japanese and there wasn’t even an English comma hanging around. Add to that my notorious reputation as a picky eater and I... -
42 Things I Love About the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees in Spain
Posted on November 6, 2012 | 12 Comments1. Learning how to make aioli the RIGHT way 2. Visit to Llívia, the only Catalan town surrounded by France 3. Eating dinner inside a volcano in Olot 4. Delicious and succulent ham, all the time and everywhere 5. Skiing at La Molina high in... -
Five Words To Know Before You Visit South Africa
Posted on November 4, 2012 | 15 CommentsEvery country has its own unique linguistic quirks and picking up on these is inevitable when you visit. I heard many new terms during my trip to Cape Town, but these are my five favorite South Africa words and phrases. 1. Pleasure – Pronounced [Pleeee-sure].... -
Three Ways to Relax in London
Posted on November 2, 2012 | 3 CommentsLondon can be a very hectic place, as only befitting one of the great capital cities of the world. For the casual tourist this non-stop frenzy of people and things to do can be a lot to handle, particularly if you’re only there for a... -
Social Technology and the New Breed of Hotels
Posted on November 1, 2012 | 8 CommentsI’m a sucker for a nice hotel. There’s nothing better than coming back to a stylish and relaxing oasis after a long day of sightseeing or a tough day at work. In recent years I’ve heard from a lot of people who are growing more... -
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... -
Four Reasons Everyone Loves Australia
Posted on October 28, 2012 | 9 CommentsOK, before you start thinking that this post is sponsored by Australia Tourism or something, it’s not, but it is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. If you poll potential travelers most, and not just Americans, usually have a trip to Australia...
