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:
North America/Hawaii Archive
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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 –... -
Travel Inspired Recipes for the Holidays – The Sabra Hummus Cookbook
Posted on December 13, 2012 | 2 CommentsSo, as you may or may not know for the past six months I’ve been one of Sabra’s official Tastemakers. I decided to partner with this great company because of the emphasis they place on the travel experience and how that influences what we eat.... -
Montreal in Five Bites
Posted on December 5, 2012 | 12 CommentsFood is one of the most important parts of travel and also one of the most enjoyable. We all have to eat after all and it’s usually our culinary memories that survive the longest. That’s why I tend to write so much about food and... -
Insider Secrets: Holiday Cocktail Recipes From a Pro
Posted on November 22, 2012 | 7 CommentsWhen I stayed at the Marriott Union Square in San Francisco, I had the chance to sample some of their wines and cocktails, including two drinks that can only be found at the hotel. The Marriott Union Square mixologist doesn’t just pour the normal potent... -
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.... -
My Visit to a Hummus Factory
Posted on September 23, 2012 | 6 CommentsA few months ago I announced that Sabra, the hummus and dips company, had invited me to be one of their 2013 Tastemakers – a form of brand representative. I was honored by the selection, namely because I love hummus. It also makes sense because... -
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... -
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... -
Not Your Standard Napa Tour – Mastering the Art of Oil and Vinegar Tasting
Posted on July 26, 2012 | 6 CommentsEarlier this year I had the chance to explore Napa for the first time as the guest of Hilton HHonors. The trip was a preview of the Seven Tickets to Your Paradise Sweepstakes, in which one lucky person won a Ticket to Dine; five delicious... -
Rethinking an Old Friend – Chocolate and Hummus for Dessert?
Posted on June 6, 2012 | 4 CommentsA few weeks ago I announced that the food company Sabra and I had formed a partnership born of a mutual love of that wonderful chickpea concoction – hummus. A few days ago I had the great opportunity to visit their plant to learn more... -
It’s a McDonald’s World – Why They Matter When You Travel
Posted on May 1, 2012 | 60 CommentsSome people get very fussy and pretentious when they travel, particularly when food is involved. I agree that discovering new and interesting experiences, including food, is a huge part of the adventure, but there’s also the very important pop culture element. I love exploring grocery... -
Celebrating World Nutella Day with a Song and Video
Posted on February 2, 2012 | 9 CommentsIt’s that time of year again when we as a global community are bonded through our mutual appreciation of the choco-hazelnut spread Nutella. World Nutella Day is a time to recognize the greatness of the snack and the role it plays in the travel stories... -
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... -
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.... -
Boozing it Up – Favorite Alcoholic Beverages from Around the World
Posted on October 20, 2011 | 7 CommentsIt’s not for everyone, but a region’s alcoholic specialty can many times define the destination. Not only do they taste great (hopefully) but if you don’t have too many of them, these signature drinks can provide great memories of your trip. Here are some of... -
Spies and International Intrigue – The One-of-a-Kind Safe House Experience
Posted on September 19, 2011 | 1 CommentI don’t usually highlight restaurants, especially those I’ve found on business trips, but this one is different. The Safe House dining experience in Milwaukee is one of the most unique, and fun, dining experiences you will ever enjoy. Since 1966, the Safe House has been... -
Eating My Way Through the Barbeque Capital of America: Kansas City
Posted on August 29, 2011 | 2 CommentsThere are certain topics that are guaranteed to create a debate, politics, religion and definitely barbeque. While the designation of top BBQ city in the United States may be a hotly contested issue, the importance and prominence of this culinary specialty in Kansas City is... -
Visiting Rippon Winery – The Most Photographed Vineyard in the World
Posted on August 23, 2011 | 3 CommentsI first heard about Rippon Winery at dinner my first night in Wanaka. The manager had stopped by to see how my meal was going and was shocked that I hadn’t tried any wine from nearby Rippon vineyards. I really didn’t know what to say,... -
Taking the Pretension Out of Winery Tours
Posted on August 9, 2011 | 9 CommentsIn college I had what is arguably one of the best part-time jobs ever, I worked at a winery. Located just a few miles from the historic core of Williamsburg, Virginia is the Williamsburg Winery. It was there in the tasting room that I learned... -
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... -
Ultimate Lanai Restaurants and Dining Guide
Posted on March 27, 2011 | 3 CommentsI am a great fan of all things Lana’i. I have been there twice, once on a personal trip and the second time at the invitation of the Lana’i Visitor’s Bureau as part of their New Media Artist in Residence Program. It may not seem... -
Top Five Lunches From Around the World
Posted on January 30, 2011 | 19 CommentsFood and eating are integral aspects of any trip, more so in certain areas of the world. There are few cultural indicators as important as what the people who live there decide to eat on a daily basis. Throughout my travels, I have had some... -
Hawaiian Cuisine – Unique and Misunderstood
Posted on January 9, 2011 | 6 CommentsPresident Obama’s recent vacation in Hawaii once again highlighted all things Hawaiian to a public that may not be familiar with everything the islands have to offer. I was watching cable news during his trip, dozing off following an all too successful holiday meal, when... -
World’s Oldest Bottle of Wine
Posted on January 3, 2011 | 5 CommentsOn a visit to the Bahamas, which was orchestrated by Bahamas Tourism, I had the opportunity to stay in one of the most unique hotels in the world, the Graycliff in Nassau. The history in this old school hotel is palpable, but never more so... -
Bahamian Obsession: Conch Fritters
Posted on November 4, 2010 | 5 CommentsOn a recent trip to the Bahamas, sponsored by Bahamas Tourism, I had the opportunity to sample the best of Bahamian cuisine. One theme though kept surfacing throughout all of my culinary adventures: Bahamians like conch – a lot. Not unlike Bubba from Forrest Gump,... -
Travel Diary of a Picky Eater
Posted on October 25, 2010 | 24 CommentsWhen I was 17, I spent a month as an exchange student in Paris. I remember vividly one evening when my host mom had prepared a questionable looking fish of sort for dinner and placed it proudly in front of us. As hard as I... -
Island Recipe – Goombay Smash
Posted on October 7, 2010 | 1 CommentAs I learned during my brief stay in the Bahamas, mixed drinks are a level of high art in the islands. The king of the Bahamian cocktails though is the Goombay Smash. Rumor has it that the Smash began at Miss Emily’s Blue Bee Bar... -
Lanai Chicken Katsu and Tonkatsu
Posted on September 26, 2010 | 5 CommentsIf you are looking for the movie version of Hawaii with swaying palms and fruity drinks, then Lana’i is definitely not the spot for you. The smallest island in the state, Lana’i is like no other place. Populated with axis deer and huge Cook... -
Relish the Hawaiian Puka Dog
Posted on September 13, 2010 | 4 CommentsBefore traveling to the beautiful State of Hawaii, I had several culinary treasures that were on my “Must Eat” list. High on this checklist was the legendary puka dog. I’m not sure how I first learned about the puka dog, probably a guide book,... -
The Taste of Chicago – Gluttonous Delights for the Windy City Traveler
Posted on July 7, 2010 | 5 CommentsToday’s guest post is by an old friend and food expert, Tris Bisgrove. Tris left his Fortune 500 career a few years ago to follow his passion of teaching. I love Tris’ take on a great culinary tradition, the legendary Taste of Chicago. For a... -
Five Cheap Eats in Washington, DC
Posted on April 27, 2010 | 6 CommentsI receive a lot of emails from people traveling to Washington who are in desperate need of reliable restaurant recommendations. It is pretty easy to find lists of the top rated restaurants in DC, but it is not so easy to locate good eats at... -
In Search of the Best German Restaurant in Milwaukee
Posted on March 25, 2010 | 1 CommentKnowing that I was headed to Milwaukee for business, a friend made me promise to try Mader’s Restaurant, a classic German restaurant. For more than 100 years, Mader’s has been serving up traditional German food, and it looks it. The restaurant is a strange mix... -
Poutine, or How I Learned to Stop My Heart and Love the Cheese Curd
Posted on March 19, 2010 | 4 CommentsPrior to a recent trip to Montreal, I heard a lot about this delicacy endemic to bars and eateries. Some said it was a treasure, others warned me to avoid it at all costs. So what exactly is poutine? Wikipedia defines poutine as “a dish...
