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:
South Pacific/Hawaii Archive
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Five Unexpectedly (For Me) Awesome Beach Towns
Posted on May 28, 2013 | 1 CommentI must, no, I have to preface this post by emphasizing the fact that these seaside communities surprised me. Those who are familiar with the cities will not be surprised to learn that they are indeed great beachy destinations, but it’s a fact many people... -
Travel Obsession: Still Thinking About Paradise and the South Pacific
Posted on May 9, 2013 | 9 CommentsSo a few months ago I wrote about my obsession with the South Pacific and while I’ve never visited, it remains a place I think of often. Well lately it seems as if the universe is conspiring against me and wants to only add fuel... -
Helping Hands in Maui – A Visit to the Boo Boo Zoo
Posted on March 20, 2013 | 4 CommentsI wasn’t sure I was in the right place. I’m not great with directions and as I drove up the wooded drive it didn’t look like what I thought an animal sanctuary should look like. The peacock convinced me otherwise, as did the small army... -
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... -
Sustainable Food: Farm to Farm Eating on Maui
Posted on October 23, 2012 | 1 CommentI wouldn’t say that I’m big into organic or even healthy foods, not normally at least. It wasn’t until I was in college when I first started to appreciate vegetables and even now we have a testy relationship. That’s why even I was surprised when... -
Surfing with a Goat in Maui
Posted on October 11, 2012 | 2 CommentsI left the lavender farm in the highlands of Maui and listened to the dulcet tones of the lady in the GPS unit as she told me to turn left, back towards the lower elevations. I wasn’t wandering aimlessly though I was on a mission.... -
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... -
42 Things I Love About Maui
Posted on September 30, 2012 | 5 Comments1. Exploring the many small, private museums preserving the past for future generations 2. Gazing out across miles of sugar cane swaying in the breeze 3. Learning the history and tradition of outrigger canoes in the islands 4. Picking your own lunch at O’o Farms... -
How to Live Like a Rock Star on Maui
Posted on September 27, 2012 | 4 CommentsLet’s face it, Maui is a pretty nice place. From the lush and relaxing highlands to some of the best beaches in the world, it is hardly a chore to vacation on this laid back Hawaiian island. Everything is relative though and even on this... -
How Not to Bike Down a Volcano in Hawaii
Posted on September 11, 2012 | 2 CommentsIt would seem that 2012 is the year of the bicycle, for me at least. After a hiatus of at least twenty-years, I’ve had several travel experiences this year on bikes. In La Rochelle, France I enjoyed a bike tour around town, learning to live... -
Five Must-Try Meals on Maui
Posted on September 2, 2012 | 17 CommentsWhile visiting the popular Hawaiian island of Maui I quickly learned that one of the island’s greatest assets is its food. There are many options on Maui, from the super high-end to good, old-fashioned comfort food. Choosing just five favorite dishes was hard, but here... -
Alone in the Rain – Personal Journey Through a Maui Rainforest
Posted on August 22, 2012 | 3 CommentsAt home I wouldn’t necessarily call myself an outdoorsy person. I’m not awful, I don’t drive to my mailbox or anything, but I also don’t seek out nature per se when in the confines of my comfy, suburban bubble. When I travel though I turn... -
A Short Long Trip to Haleakala Volcano on Maui
Posted on July 30, 2012 | 6 CommentsI guess I’m a person of extremes; people have always said so at least. That personality quirk definitely manifests itself in how I travel, particularly in what I do and see. I love seeing the biggest, tallest and most unusual things. I love getting to... -
Lessons Learned from Twenty Minutes in Lahaina
Posted on July 15, 2012 | 8 CommentsI’d like to think that I’m a well-reasoned, thoughtful traveler and that I give every new destination the time it takes to form an impression before passing judgment. Sometimes though that judgment comes quickly, as it did in the case of Lahaina on the Hawaiian... -
Holistic Luxury in the Tropical Haven of Hana on Maui
Posted on July 12, 2012 | 2 CommentsThe Road to Hana was a little stressful – I won’t lie. Even though it’s only 52 miles from the airport to Hana, the road takes an average of 2 ½ hours to drive in large part due to 59 bridges (46 of which are... -
Photo Tour of the Road to Hana – Maui
Posted on July 1, 2012 | 11 CommentsI had heard of it, I think many of us have: the Road to Hana. Sounds a lot like manna, and so my brain always equated the trek with a visit to paradise. That correlation wasn’t too far from the truth as I found out... -
Family Travel Adventures in Rotorua, New Zealand
Posted on June 28, 2012 | 10 CommentsToday I’m thrilled to feature a guest post by one of the coauthors of one of the top travel blogs in the world. Craig Makepeace is the co-founder of y Travel Blog and has been traveling and living around the world since 2002, first... -
Discover Maui Travel Itinerary – Follow Me As I Explore the Island
Posted on June 14, 2012 | 7 CommentsI think it’s safe to say that my exploration of the Hawaiian islands has been unusual and haphazard at best. While a long time dream destination for me, my first visit to the enchanting islands was only two years ago and then as a part... -
My Five Favorite Adventure Travel Experiences in New Zealand
Posted on May 13, 2012 | 18 CommentsIf the gods of adventure travel had their own Mt. Olympus, it would be found somewhere in New Zealand. The Kiwis have long taken pride in their ability to outdo the rest of the world when it comes to flinging themselves from various heights and... -
Fiji in Four Words
Posted on April 23, 2012 | 5 CommentsThe South Pacific is near the top of my travel wish list and I’m determined to visit someday soon. Until then, I will have to live vicariously through those who have traveled before me, like the travel writer and social media expert Angie Orth. Today... -
Looking For Paradise and Pining For The Southern Cross
Posted on March 26, 2012 | 3 CommentsIt probably won’t come as a complete shock that I have always, for as long as I can remember, had a fierce sense of wanderlust. As a young child and well into adulthood, I absorbed anything and everything about foreign cultures and far-flung locales. Instead... -
What’s So Great about Melbourne?
Posted on February 12, 2012 | 15 CommentsEveryone said I would love it. This advice didn’t just come from friends and online contacts, Melbourne was named the world’s most livable city in the 2011 Global Livability Survey. That’s a hell of a statement to make and I was curious what could propel... -
Five Surprisingly Romantic Cities
Posted on February 5, 2012 | 21 CommentsSome cities you expect to be romantic; Paris has made billions of dollars on that premise alone. Other cities surprise you though with their ability to charm and to help create those special romantic moments between you and your loved one. Here are some of... -
Australia Travel Tips
Posted on January 10, 2012 | 5 CommentsAustralia Travel Tips Australia is a huge country that offers something for everyone, beaches, cities, deserts and everything in between. To get the most out of the vast continent/country would take years, and even then you’d be missing something. For the casual traveler though,... -
Four Reasons to Visit Lanai
Posted on January 9, 2012 | 4 Comments1. Luxury – With two of the three hotels on the island belonging to Four Seasons, luxury is no doubt part of the agenda on Lanai. But it’s a different kind of luxury, a more homey, enjoyable Lanai luxury that’s really hard to find. Yes,... -
Perfect Evening in St. Kilda
Posted on January 9, 2012 | 2 CommentsAfter spending almost a week in the dusty Outback, the last thing I thought I would have wanted was a return to nature. But there I was, sitting at the desk in our spacious room at the InterContinental Rialto thumbing through the guide book trying... -
Travel Itinerary – 48 Hours in Melbourne
Posted on January 8, 2012 | 10 CommentsMelbourne Travel Tips Melbourne was the final stop in our brief tour of Australia and one that proved to be a highlight of the journey. Without exaggeration, Melbourne is one of the best cities I have visited anywhere in the world, and weeks could... -
Travel Tips and Driving Itinerary for Australia’s Red Centre
Posted on January 4, 2012 | 10 CommentsThere’s just something about Australia and the Northern Territory in particular that captures the imagination of people around the world. Maybe its the natural beauty or the famously rugged environment, but it’s hard not to feel drawn to one of the most remote spots on... -
How to See the Best of Alice Springs in 24 Hours
Posted on January 3, 2012 | 4 CommentsAlice Springs Travel Tips Many people know Alice Springs, Australia as the gateway to the Red Centre. From Alice thousands of travelers launch exhaustive tours of Kings Canyon, Glen Helen and of course Uluru, otherwise known as Ayers Rock. Many people just pass through... -
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... -
New Zealand Travel Tips
Posted on January 1, 2012 | 7 CommentsNew Zealand Travel Tips New Zealand is one of my favorite travel destinations, and with good reason. Simply said, it has something for everyone, from world class museums to the best adventure travel in the world. To truly know and explore New Zealand would... -
How to Explore Queenstown in a Day – Adventure Capital of New Zealand
Posted on December 31, 2011 | 2 CommentsQueenstown in a Day The final stop on my whirlwind trip through New Zealand was a visit to one of the most popular destinations in the country, Queenstown. In the winter millions flock to this small mountain town for the ski slopes and in... -
2011 Favorite Travel Destination of the Year
Posted on December 29, 2011 | 6 CommentsThis was a tough one. Last year after careful thought I chose Israel as my favorite destination of the year, and for a while I thought the Middle East would get top honors again this year with Jordan. But the more I thought and reflected,... -
2011 Favorite Travel Person of the Year
Posted on December 26, 2011 | 10 CommentsLast year I did a series of posts highlighting my favorite travel experiences, destinations, foods and people for the previous year and I decided to once again perform this bit of forced reflection. Rather than just serve as a gratuitous way to recognize people and... -
Hairy Coos, Baby Animals and Amazing Views on Churchill Island
Posted on December 13, 2011 | 4 CommentsThe Scottish highland cow greeted us with its giant horns and fuzzy bangs as we navigated the dirt road leading to Churchill Island. We very well could have been in Scotland, except it was far too sunny and there wasn’t a sign of a distillery... -
Four Thoughts on Australia
Posted on December 7, 2011 | 22 CommentsIn August we traveled to Australia as a result of a Twitter contest I won through the Northern Territory. We decided to extend the trip into a vacation and spent almost two weeks exploring as much of Australia as we could. Given the grotesque size... -
Reflecting on Family and History at Pearl Harbor
Posted on December 6, 2011 | 4 CommentsNot all business trips are great, but the year I had a conference in Honolulu was like winning the lottery of work travel. Not surprisingly, I managed to add some time to the trip after my work was done in order to truly enjoy my... -
New Zealand – Trying to Define an Obsession
Posted on December 4, 2011 | 9 CommentsI’m an impressionable person, especially when it comes to travel. It doesn’t take a lot to inspire me to travel, to build that sorrowful nagging feeling of wanderlust deep within my soul. A feature in a movie, a mention in a book, even a well... -
42 Things I Love About Australia’s Northern Territory
Posted on November 23, 2011 | 6 CommentsI originally was going to write about the 42 things I love about Australia, but even in list form the country is just too big. The more I thought about my time in Australia, the more I realized that many of my favorite activities, as... -
On Parade with the Penguins of Phillip Island
Posted on November 21, 2011 | 7 CommentsThere are certain words and phrases that should never be repeated in the context of a travel post. Hidden gem, unique treasure, and charming all come to mind. Cute is another one most experts say to avoid, yet I find myself at a loss to... -
Kissed by a Koala at Healesville Sanctuary
Posted on November 15, 2011 | 5 CommentsI never expected to be kissed by a koala, yet there I was being gingerly kissed by Australia’s fuzzy mascot. The koala in question was at the Healesville Sanctuary, a short drive from Melbourne and home to one of the best animal experiences in the... -
Exploring the Hidden Secrets of Melbourne With the Best Tour in Town
Posted on November 10, 2011 | 9 CommentsI received a lot of suggestions from the expert concierge at the InterContinental Melbourne. In an experiment, I decided to use the hotel’s famous concierge service to help plan our time in Melbourne to see if they could do a better job than I could.... -
Travel Spotlight – Lake Rotorua
Posted on November 7, 2011 | No CommentsLake Rotorua Located in the heart of New Zealand’s North Island, the Rotorua region is one of the country’s oldest tourist destinations, all because of some smelly water. The geothermal activity has made the lake area a spa destination for as long as there... -
Luxury Within Reach on the Tropical Island of Lanai
Posted on November 2, 2011 | 1 CommentHawaii is a place of dreams and expectations. Most people have a mental image of Hawaii whenever the destination comes up in conversation, and for the most part these conceptions are proven true. There is one place though that lives up to the notions of... -
Discovering the Real Importance of Uluru with the Anangu Tour
Posted on November 1, 2011 | 4 CommentsSammy didn’t say much, well not that I could understand at least. His voice was soft and the words all seemed to blend into each other in a unique blend of Pitjantjatjara and pidgin English. Luckily the interpreter seemed to have no problem understanding Sammy... -
Tracking the History of the Ghan Train in Alice Springs
Posted on October 31, 2011 | 1 Comment“Well, there’s the Old Timers Museum, School of the Air, and the Old Ghan Museum isn’t too far away,” our cab driver kindly suggested as we drove to pick up our campervan and begin our exploration of Australia’s Outback. Another travel hiccup had occurred, and... -
Bilbies and Bettongs – The Alice Springs Desert Park Nocturnal Experience
Posted on October 23, 2011 | 1 CommentWe weren’t supposed to spend the night in Alice Springs. My Grand Plan for the Outback in Australia clearly had us picking up the Britz campervan and driving to Glen Helen for a night of “roughing it.” The day before though we learned that there... -
42 Things I Love About New Zealand
Posted on October 19, 2011 | 17 CommentsShocking beauty of the snow-capped Southern Alps Hobbits lurking around every corner Championship golf overlooking Hawke’s Bay at Cape Kidnappers Greeting a Maori warrior, forehead to forehead Biting into a massive Big Al burger at the one and only Fergburger in Queenstown The dubious yet... -
Embracing the Corny in Australia – Sounds of Silence Dinner Experience
Posted on October 17, 2011 | No CommentsI usually stay away from what I perceive to be over-touristy experiences, but the Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru intrigued me. A trip to Uluru, or Ayers Rock, tends to be fairly scripted. The resort experience is like a cruise ship in the desert...
