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 | 14 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:
North America Archive
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Exploring the Colonial Town of St. George’s in Bermuda
Posted on May 5, 2013 | 4 CommentsI didn’t know a lot about Bermuda before I first visited as the guest of Bermuda Tourism, and that’s my fault. I was busy and while I was really excited to visit for the first time, I hadn’t done the normal research I conduct before... -
Rum Reimagined – The National Cocktails of Bermuda (Including Recipes)
Posted on April 25, 2013 | 1 CommentIt seems that every place I visit has a special wine, beer or cocktail for which it is famous. Islands tend to have a higher concentration of liquid refreshments, but few have I enjoyed as much as the official, unofficial national drinks of Bermuda –... -
The Law That Isn’t – The American Ban on Travel to Cuba
Posted on April 24, 2013 | 10 CommentsA couple of weeks ago Beyonce and Jay-Z made the news not for their relationship or musical abilities, but because they dared to visit Cuba. One of the very few places in the world where Americans cannot freely visit, Cuba is a frustrating travel consideration... -
42 Things I Love About Bermuda
Posted on April 22, 2013 | 2 Comments1. Avoiding the Triangle 2. Learning very fast that everyone knows each other 3. Exploring the Dockyards area 4. Fresh rockfish (If that’s your thing) 5. Learning how to make a Rum Swizzle 6. Walking around the hip but laid back city of Hamilton 7.... -
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... -
My American Bucket List
Posted on February 18, 2013 | 18 CommentsI think most of us are guilty of not properly exploring the areas around where we live. Instead we jet off to new and exciting destinations, forgetting that some of the best places are close to home. I live in the United States, a wonderfully... -
Finding a Hidden Spot in the Bahamas
Posted on February 12, 2013 | 7 CommentsHarbour Island isn’t big, it’s just about three miles long and a scant 1,500 people or so call this out-island of an out-island home. The only way to get there is by taking a water taxi from the comparatively gigantic Eleuthera island, one of the... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
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... -
Experience Golf at its Best at the World Golf Hall of Fame
Posted on October 17, 2012 | 3 CommentsI wouldn’t necessarily say that I’m the biggest golf fan in the world; I don’t even play the sport. My partner of ten years though is a passionate golfer with a scratch handicap and has taught me the finer parts of the game and its... -
42 Things I Love About Banff, Canada (in the winter)
Posted on October 15, 2012 | 19 Comments1. Curling up next to a roaring fire with a good book, watching the snow fall outside 2. Great skiing, if that’s your thing 3. Surprisingly excellent food at Masala Authentic Indian Cuisine 4. The gorgeous drive from Calgary into the mountains 5. Relaxing in... -
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... -
Battling Armies to See a Cabin in Canada
Posted on August 15, 2012 | 4 CommentsIt was an armed assault. They were coming from every direction, replacements quickly taking the place of their fallen peers. Buzzing around at a rate that can only rival the late Jurassic Period, the insect life in Saskatchewan during summer can be a daunting foe.... -
Ziplining in Mazatlan – Adventure Travel Photo Essay
Posted on August 5, 2012 | No CommentsThis guest post is by freelance adventure travel writer, photographer, and blogger Matt Gibson. For more Matt Gibson adventure travel goodness, check out his adventure travel blog, Facebook page, and Twitter account. In June 2012 I was fortunate enough to take a trip to Mazatlan... -
Unlikely Foodie Capital – Saskatoon?
Posted on July 31, 2012 | 3 CommentsIf asked, I would never call myself a foodie, not really. I mean I eat and I like food, but my high level of pickiness has traditionally prevented me from getting too involved with the foodie world. Lately however I’ve found myself in a number... -
Culinary Photo Tour of Napa Valley
Posted on July 29, 2012 | 7 CommentsNapa Valley has a long history, most of which had nothing to do with wine oddly enough. But that’s how people around the world have come to know this small valley in Northern California, all thanks to the production of grapes and the masters who... -
How To Go Glamping in Saskatchewan
Posted on July 23, 2012 | 3 CommentsWhen I was a young child I was in the Boy Scouts. I’m not really sure why I was in the Boy Scouts exactly; I didn’t enjoy the experience – not really. But my parents thought it was something a young boy should do and... -
Getting High in Napa – Hot Air Ballooning Over Wine Country
Posted on July 22, 2012 | 14 CommentsLast weekend I had the chance to preview one of the amazing prizes in the Hilton HHonors Seven Tickets to Your Paradise Sweepstakes. The prize package I sampled was Your Ticket to Dine; a remarkable, once in a lifetime trip to Napa Valley. Hilton HHonors... -
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... -
Five Things You Don’t Know About Saskatchewan
Posted on July 8, 2012 | 17 CommentsToday I leave for Saskatoon, located in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan. I’ll be there all week as part of a project sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission and Travel + Leisure magazine: The Canadian Trailblazer Contest and the Explore Like A Local campaign. For... -
Photo Tour of the Road to Hana – Maui
Posted on July 1, 2012 | 10 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... -
Explore Canada Like A Local: Canadian Trailblazer Contest!
Posted on June 25, 2012 | 2 CommentsWhile I spend way too much time on social media, I don’t expect everyone else to so you may not have seen my announcements about an exciting new project sponsored by the Canadian Tourism Commission and Travel + Leisure magazine. In just a couple of... -
Sometimes You Just Need A Laugh – The History of Colorado Miners (Satire)
Posted on June 21, 2012 | 2 CommentsTravel can be transformative, it can be educational, it can be powerful. It can also just be reduced to some jokes and maybe a little slapstick. I was in Colorado recently for a conference and had the great opportunity to participate in an all day... -
Journey to America’s Forgotten Capital
Posted on May 21, 2012 | 12 CommentsI live in Washington, DC, a city that has had the honor of serving of the capital of the United States for more than two-hundred and twenty years. However, it’s not the only capital the country has had, a fact most American school kids know... -
Five Things You Might Not Know About Arizona
Posted on April 19, 2012 | 4 CommentsToday’s post comes courtesy of Dave Porter with The Roaming Boomers. In 2006 David and his wife moved from Michigan to Arizona and haven’t looked back since. Although they admit there’s a lot to see and do in the Midwest, the endless sunshine and warm... -
Shadows and Ghosts – Looking for the Descent of the Feathered Serpent at Chichen Itza
Posted on April 8, 2012 | 7 CommentsRuins, relics and all things ancient have always fascinated me; exploring their link to eras and civilizations long gone top the list of things I most enjoy doing when I travel. So when I had the chance to view in person a rare astronomical event... -
Not Your Average Day in Cancun – A Mayan Morning at Ek Balam
Posted on April 1, 2012 | 10 CommentsI like old things. Older the better and if they can even be called ancient, I’m there. So when the JW Marriott in Cancun invited me down for a rare astronomical event involving one of the most famous ruins in the world, I didn’t hesitate... -
Shrine to Carbonated Goodness – The World of Coke in Atlanta
Posted on March 29, 2012 | 4 CommentsThere are a few things I must have when I travel. A Clean bed, hot shower, Wi-Fi and most importantly, Diet Coke are all necessary components of the travel experience for me. I’ve been an ardent fan of Diet Coke for at least twenty years,... -
Skip the Staycation, Go For the Nearcation
Posted on March 25, 2012 | 15 CommentsTwo years ago at a conference I had the great pleasure of meeting a well known travel editor and managed to separate him from one of his business cards. Later when I read through the business cards I had collected I noticed that on the... -
Watch With Me As I Witness the Descent of the Feathered Serpent in Mexico
Posted on March 19, 2012 | No CommentsThere was a brief time in my life when I thought I would actually be an archeologist. I blame Indiana Jones and a fierce desire to uncover lost secrets of history for this passion. Then I realized that math and science were involved and I... -
Frozen in Time – Exploring Rural Alberta On An Ice Walk
Posted on March 14, 2012 | 4 CommentsSo here’s something strange about me: I love nature, I love being outside and enjoying the best that Mother Nature has to offer, but I’m not necessarily outdoorsy. What’s the difference you ask? Well, outdoorsy people can live in a tent, commune with nature and... -
Weird Museum of the Stuffed and Dead in Banff
Posted on February 29, 2012 | 1 CommentIt was Saturday afternoon in Banff. We had just returned from an all-morning ice hike and Scott was firmly planted in front of the TV watching football playoff games. I decided it was the perfect opportunity to explore more of Banff on foot, I even... -
Why Are We Still Talking About Travel Safety in Mexico?
Posted on February 26, 2012 | 21 CommentsA couple of years ago when I was still a baby blogger, I wrote a post about why I thought that parts of Mexico were safe to visit. Talking with people, I thought that the message was getting across, that some parts of Mexico are... -
Five Things I Bet You Don’t Know About Banff
Posted on February 23, 2012 | 6 Comments1. Where it is – When I first started researching a trip to Banff way back in 2010, I really had no idea where it was. I knew it was in Canada and that it had a funny name and that was the extent of... -
The Truth About The Mayan Calendar And The Cycles Of Our Lives
Posted on February 20, 2012 | 6 CommentsI was looking through some travel promotions lately and noticed a theme, at least in one part of the world. Disaster. End of the world. The Seven Horsemen are coming, so why not come to Mexico and enjoy some snorkeling? That’s right, on December 21,... -
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... -
Naked Peace of Mind – Taking the Waters at the Banff Upper Hot Springs
Posted on February 16, 2012 | 4 CommentsHot springs aren’t for everyone. First, they can be a bit of a hassle in all honesty, especially when the temperature is negative some ungodly number and you arrive bundled in at least thirty layers of clothing. Then there’s the unpleasant experience of changing alongside... -
Top 5 Free Attractions in New York City
Posted on February 14, 2012 | 15 CommentsToday I am pleased to feature a guest post by Leslie Koch. Leslie is the founder of DowntownTraveler.com, an online magazine for urban travelers who crave arts, culture and adventure. Leslie lives in New York City, where she settled after completing a year-long, round-the-world trip... -
My Four Least Romantic Travel Experiences
Posted on February 13, 2012 | 19 CommentsJust to preface this post, these are my personal least romantic experiences. I don’t mean to say that these activities are themselves inherently unromantic, but for us they were anything but romantic. 1. Flying anywhere - I can’t think of anything that can ruin a...
