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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North America Archive
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Flying Down a Mountain – Banff Snow Tubing Adventure and Video
Posted on February 9, 2012 | 1 CommentI don’t ski, not at all. I don’t even try anymore lest I further cause injury to myself and others. That’s why I was a little dubious as we drove up to the Mount Norquay Ski Resort in Banff, Canada. After all, they’re kind of... -
Five Surprisingly Romantic Cities
Posted on February 5, 2012 | 20 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... -
True or False – A Look at Six Stereotypes About Canada
Posted on January 31, 2012 | 27 CommentsI admit, in the past I may have made some jokes at the expense of our friends to the north. I seem to remember a quip involving America’s hat in particular. But those days are gone, I’m now an avowed lover of Canada and her... -
My Birthday and Dogsledding Through Two Provinces
Posted on January 25, 2012 | 10 CommentsTomorrow is my birthday and for the 8th year in a row I’m 29, amazing feat really. Since it’s my birthday, I thought I’d write about two things I love: dogs and travel. No, it’s not a story about some strange traveling dog or how... -
Five (non-ski) Reasons to Visit Banff in the Winter
Posted on January 22, 2012 | 12 Comments1. Tons of activities - Banff is one of the top ski destinations in the world, but if you’re like me and don’t ski (I just fall) there’s still a lot to do in and around this mountain town. We spent a long weekend in... -
Four Reasons to Visit St. Kitts in 2012
Posted on January 17, 2012 | 7 Comments1. Lunch on a volcano – Although this may not have been my favorite activity, (please refer to my post Paying the Price for Lunch on a Volcano in St. Kitts) in retrospect, and after some intense psychotherapy, I have come to the realization that... -
Importance of Supporting Local Communities When You Travel
Posted on January 16, 2012 | 14 CommentsA few weeks ago I published an informative guest post by Amanda Williams all about Sustainable Tourism. I particularly enjoyed the post because while it’s easy to bandy about the term ‘sustainable,’ very few people actually understand what it means to practice sustainable travel. I... -
Best of Banff in Photos
Posted on January 15, 2012 | 17 CommentsI spent a long weekend exploring the winter playground of Banff, Alberta, Canada at the invitation of Banff Lake Louise Tourism. Since I had never been to this part of Canada before, the goal was to both explore the region and to highlight some of... -
Follow Me to Banff, Banff, Banff
Posted on January 11, 2012 | 8 CommentsI’m a big fan of the old (is 80/90s old?) comic strip Calvin and Hobbes. When Bill Watterson was still writing, I read every strip and bought every book. One of my favorite strips was a Sunday color version featuring Calvin and Hobbes having a... -
The No-Holds Barred Review of Dreams Resorts
Posted on January 11, 2012 | 7 CommentsLast year I was approached by AMResorts, the provider of sales, marketing and brand management services to five brands of exclusive resort properties in Mexico and the Dominican Republic, to work together in a partnership to help promote their properties. I researched the brands and... -
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... -
Going Beyond the Tourist Zone in Puerto Vallarta
Posted on January 1, 2012 | 4 CommentsMaria’s storefront is only a couple of blocks from the Malecon in Puerto Vallarta, but her proximity to the main tourist zone in this vacation wonderland didn’t detract from the flavors of the tacos. Made to order, she creates hundreds of delicious tacos in every... -
Turtle Power – How Resorts in Mexico are Conserving a Species
Posted on December 22, 2011 | No CommentsWhen I arrived at the Dreams Resort in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico I thought I knew what to expect. Tropical views with swaying palms were a given, as was a pina colada with a sweet cherry to accompany me to the pool. What I didn’t expect... -
Five Reasons to Visit Puerto Rico in 2012
Posted on December 21, 2011 | 2 Comments1. Caribbean – For the most populated American territory, Puerto Rico has done a masterful job of retaining its unique, Caribbean culture. Yes, there are McDonalds and large retail stores, but there are also beaches, restaurants and bars that are quintessentially Caribbean. If you’re looking... -
The Ultimate Foodie Guide to Los Angeles
Posted on December 20, 2011 | 5 CommentsI had the great pleasure of meeting the author of today’s piece, Jade Broadus, earlier this year and knew right away that I had met a fellow foodie. In spite of the hectic schedule with her own site Vagabond3, Jade graciously agreed to share some... -
Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the World Trade Center Memorial in NYC
Posted on December 18, 2011 | 1 CommentToday I am very pleased to present a guest post by travel blogger and fellow Washingtonian, Christina Saull. Her full bio follows the piece, but be sure to check out her site My View from the Middle Seat for the best in D.I.N.K. travel. Every... -
Puerto Vallarta Dreams – Photos From Paradise
Posted on December 11, 2011 | 6 CommentsA few weeks ago I was approached by the fine folks over at AMResorts to partner together on a pretty exciting initiative. AMResorts is the provider of sales, marketing and brand management services to five brands of exclusive resort properties in Mexico and the Dominican... -
Dancing the Night Away – Salsa Culture in Puerto Rico
Posted on December 8, 2011 | 4 CommentsWe weren’t quite sure what we were looking for, a bar or after-hours lounge of some sort probably. All I wanted to find was a place in Old San Juan where a few friends could sit and chat over a glass of wine or a... -
Kayaking in a Sea of Light – The Bio Bay of Puerto Rico
Posted on November 28, 2011 | 5 CommentsPuerto Rico surprised me in a lot of ways. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting exactly, but whatever my expectations were they were instantly surpassed. I was a guest of the San Juan Marriott Resort, a gorgeous property with a prime oceanfront location, and... -
Exciting New Partnership Announcement
Posted on November 23, 2011 | 22 CommentsAn important part of my work on LandLopers is partnering with destinations and like-minded companies in order to bring you, the reader, interesting and helpful information. Whenever I decide to work with a company or destination, I always weigh the benefits to the site and... -
Exploring the Beach Shacks of St. Kitts
Posted on November 20, 2011 | 7 CommentsAs a guest of the St. Kitts Marriott, I had a lot of great food. Unlike a lot of other resorts, the property features a variety of culinary options that are reasonably priced and delicious, a feat which many other resorts can’t seem to achieve.... -
Adventure Bogging and Zipping in Puerto Rico’s Rainforests
Posted on November 13, 2011 | 1 CommentAdventure travel seems to be a hot travel label for places as diverse as Vancouver to Israel. In some cases the term is well matched but other times it’s just a stretch. I love adventure travel experiences and was thrilled to discover that it’s also... -
Paying the Price for Lunch on a Volcano in St. Kitts
Posted on November 9, 2011 | 6 CommentsI’m an active traveler, but I have never claimed to be in the best shape. My lack of fitness stamina never usually limits my adventures though and I’m almost always willing to try anything once. I’ve hiked Kings Canyon, the Koloiki Trail and countless other... -
Five Reasons I Wish I Had Visited Puerto Rico Sooner
Posted on November 3, 2011 | 13 CommentsI was recently on a media trip to Puerto Rico to explore the amazing San Juan Marriott. The resort wasn’t the only new place for me to explore, it was also my first time in Puerto Rico and I was hooked right away. I was... -
Experiencing Modern Caribbean Comfort at the San Juan Marriott
Posted on October 31, 2011 | 3 CommentsI’m a little embarrassed to say that I had never been to Puerto Rico before accepting the invitation of the San Juan Marriott to visit for a few days to explore the property and the city itself. I’m embarrassed because Puerto Rico is extremely easy... -
Brimstone – A Visit to St. Kitts’ Only UNESCO World Heritage Site
Posted on October 27, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe Caribbean islands of St. Kitts and Nevis are fairly small. St. Kitts is only 18 miles long and little Nevis even smaller. In spite of their size, the islands have had a dynamic history and St Kitts in particular at one time played a... -
Three Spooky Cities to Explore This Halloween
Posted on October 26, 2011 | 6 CommentsIt’s that time of year again, Halloween and the ensuing scary stories and ghost tours are almost upon us. There are scores of haunted cities that aren’t just scary on Halloween, but every day. Here are three of my favorite spooky cities. photo credit: Silentmind8... -
Dolphin Love on Grand Bahama Island
Posted on October 18, 2011 | 3 CommentsLocated across the street from the Grand Lucayan Resort on Grand Bahama Island is the Port Lucaya Marina, home to UNEXSO, the Underwater Explorers Society. UNEXSO is a full service dive shop and marine experience company, the highlight of which is their famous dolphin encounter.... -
Adventure and Old World Splendor in San Juan – A Photo Series
Posted on October 18, 2011 | 6 CommentsYesterday I shared some of the highlights from my few days spent in St. Kitts at the invitation of the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. Today I want to give a sneak peek of my time spent exploring San Juan, which was at the equally kind... -
St. Kitts in Photos – Welcome to the Real Caribbean
Posted on October 17, 2011 | 2 CommentsI was invited to St. Kitts by the gorgeous St. Kitts Marriott Resort & The Royal Beach Casino to explore both the hotel and of course the island. I will have a lot to share about this remarkable resort and indeed the entire country in... -
Overlooked UNESCO Sites – A Visit to Mr. Jefferson’s Virginia
Posted on October 11, 2011 | 2 CommentsThere are currently 936 UNESCO World Heritage sites around the world in more than 153 countries. Of these, only 21 are in the United States and the majority of those are natural wonders. One of the few man-made American sites on the UNESCO list... -
Life in the Bahamas – A Look at Junkanoo
Posted on October 11, 2011 | 3 CommentsAfter two trips to the Bahamas, I have come to realize that the islands can be a strange place. It’s a decidedly good kind of strange though, the sort which makes you smile and shake your head. Even though I’ve never been there during Junkanoo... -
Getting the Most Out of Washington, DC – Four Family Friendly Activities
Posted on August 28, 2011 | No CommentsLabor Day is quickly approaching and with it the unofficial end to summer vacation. But that doesn’t mean it’s not a great time to visit Washington, DC, in fact the fall is one of the best times to visit our nation’s capital. After you’ve done... -
The Dizzying Capilano Cliffwalk Experience in Vancouver
Posted on August 24, 2011 | 3 CommentsThe Capilano Cliffwalk is the newest addition to the Capilano Suspension Bridge experience in Vancouver. Just like the bridge, the cliff walk brings visitors closer to the fantastic views by becoming part of them. Cliffwalk is a series of walkways perched 70 meters over the... -
Three Interesting Cities That Surprised Me
Posted on August 15, 2011 | 12 CommentsThere are few places in the world to which I don’t want to travel. Afghanistan, Somalia and Iran pretty much top that list. But then there’s another tier of cities that while I don’t have a problem visiting, they don’t really get me excited to... -
Travel Spotlight – Capilano Suspension Bridge, Vancouver
Posted on August 15, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe Capilano Suspension Bridge is one of Vancouver’s oldest tourist attractions. The original bridge was completed in 1889 and was a modest effort made of hemp rope and wood planks set perilously high over the Capilano River. The bridge was replaced with a more sturdy... -
Kentucky Rushmore – Massive Project to Honor Colonel Sanders, Hunter S. Thompson, others
Posted on August 14, 2011 | No CommentsI have a lot of ties to the great Commonwealth of Kentucky, so seeing news about the Bluegrass state pop up on my Facebook timeline isn’t unusual. What was unusual was a web site someone shared touting the impending Kentucky Rushmore. That’s right, a larger... -
Dreaming of the Island Life – It’s All Buffett’s Fault
Posted on July 24, 2011 | 5 CommentsAddicts feel certain compulsions, it’s the nature of the beast. As a travel addict I go through bouts of longing, that’s really the best term. My schedule usually assuages this primal urge to be in motion, but sometimes it doesn’t satisfy the itch. It’s not... -
Summer Getaways in the Mid-Atlantic
Posted on July 14, 2011 | 5 CommentsThe Mid-Atlantic region of the United States is a treasure trove of great weekend summer getaways. Whether you live in the region, or are just visiting, these are fun, budget friendly travel adventures that every member of the family will love. Eastern Shore, Maryland One... -
Zip Lining in the Snow – How I Lost My Zip Line Virginity
Posted on June 21, 2011 | 5 CommentsI recently attended a conference in Vancouver that was, in part, sponsored by Tourism Vancouver. They were also good enough to offer a variety of complimentary day tours before the start of the conference, including the one I chose, the North Shore Combo with the... -
Four Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Vancouver
Posted on June 15, 2011 | 8 CommentsI recently spent a few days exploring the great city of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. I instantly fell in love with the beauty of it all, the harbor on which the city rests and the snow covered mountains in the distance. As I... -
Celebrating Memorial Day – Favorite War Memorials From Around the Country
Posted on May 30, 2011 | No CommentsToday is Memorial Day in the United States, a day to reflect upon and honor all those who lost their lives in service to their country. While many simply use the day as time off from work and the official start of the summer vacation... -
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with the Art of Tequila Tasting in the Yucatan
Posted on May 4, 2011 | 2 CommentsI have a rocky relationship with tequila, it’s not a potent potable known for engendering long friendships. In college I found a bottle of Dos Dedos: Two Fingers Tequila at a party (retail value: $1.99) and for a long time that ended my friendship with... -
Interactive Travel Guide – What to do in New York City
Posted on April 27, 2011 | 5 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... -
Rolling Cigars Badly in the Bahamas
Posted on April 20, 2011 | 11 CommentsI sat in the elaborately decorated great room in the Graycliff Hotel in Nassau, playing with my iPhone and glancing at my watch. Even though we were in the heart of the Bahamian port city, the only sound was a bird in the distance and... -
Travel and the U.S. Federal Government Shutdown
Posted on April 6, 2011 | 3 CommentsTension on Capitol Hill has been increasing all year, and it looks like we may see the peak this weekend if Congress fails to pass a new budget or continuing resolution by Friday, April 8. The differences between the Republicans and Democrats may be ideological... -
Three Ways to See the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossoms and Avoid the Crowds
Posted on March 22, 2011 | 7 CommentsIt’s that time of year again. The days are longer, the birds are chirping and the Washington, D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival is almost upon us. This is a favorite season for almost all Washingtonians, but it’s also the beginning of a busy tourist season. The... -
Travel Discoveries and the National World War I Museum
Posted on March 20, 2011 | 8 CommentsI travel fairly often for work, and usually not to the most glamorous of locales. Business travel though can be a great opportunity for exploration and I’m always surprised at some of the amazing things I find in the least likely of places. Such was... -
Palm Tree, Happy Tree
Posted on March 3, 2011 | 6 CommentsWhen people are asked to name a dream travel destination, a majority usually select fantastic tropical locales featuring swaying palms. Work, family obligations and the general routine of normal life makes many of us dream about exotic travel; windy beaches, margaritas by the pool and... -
Las Vegas on a Budget – Fun and Affordable
Posted on March 1, 2011 | 13 CommentsToday I am thrilled to share with you a guest post from a great travel writer and blogger, Gray Cargill of the site Solo Friendly. Gray’s expertise doesn’t stop at solo travel, she is also an expert on all things Vegas, as she proves on...
