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:
Planes Trains Ships Archive
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The Sin of Reading a Book on a Plane – The Great Electronics Debate
Posted on March 28, 2013 | 8 CommentsEarlier this week the FAA let leak the fact they might consider loosening the rules regarding electronics on commercial aircraft. As many of us know, under current rules personal electronics must be turned off when the cabin door closes and cannot be turned on until... -
Flying High in Premium Business Class on LAN Airlines
Posted on March 14, 2013 | 6 CommentsOn a recent flight to Chile from the U.S., I had the chance to experience LAN Airline’s Premium Business Class product and wow was I impressed. I guess I’m used to some carriers who don’t devote a lot of resources to business class because every... -
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... -
Why Do People Love Train Travel So Much?
Posted on November 13, 2012 | 22 CommentsFor some people the process of getting from one place to the other is a pain, a chore, an experience to dread with fear and trepidation. For others, like me, the act of travel itself, be it flying or riding in a car is just... -
How To Fly On a Plane: A Slightly Sarcastic Checklist
Posted on October 29, 2012 | 17 CommentsI’ve started writing this post a hundred times on a hundred flights after being annoyed by fellow passengers. Sometimes the post was sarcastic, other times downright mean but never have I actually completed or published this tutorial. Today is different. Today I think it’s finally... -
Virgin Atlantic – The Best Lounges in the World?
Posted on October 18, 2012 | 2 CommentsA couple of months ago I had the opportunity to fly Virgin Atlantic for the first time; actually it was my first time flying on any Virgin aircraft. I had a lot of expectations going into it; the airline is famous for its fun attitude... -
Finding Value Instead of Getting Screwed When Booking Award Travel
Posted on September 4, 2012 | 3 CommentsI personally believe that being loyal to one airline is very important, and I’ve expounded on this in previous posts. Hopefully you will fly enough to earn status, get perks and of course earn lots of frequent flier miles. But the sticking point for many... -
Upper Class Comfort on Virgin Atlantic
Posted on August 9, 2012 | 7 CommentsFlying in the 21st century isn’t a whole lot of fun, let’s be honest. There are long lines, full planes, myriad number of fees and general discomfort. There are a few airlines though that still manage to capture the spirit of fun and adventure that... -
Around the World in Business Class
Posted on May 7, 2012 | 22 CommentsI like a certain level of comfort when I travel, it’s just who I am. Why be uncomfortable when I can be comfortable after all. This permeates throughout the travel experience, from nice hotels to certain airline choices. Thanks to my busy travel schedule, I’ve... -
On the Green Path: My Experience with Eco-Friendly Airport Transfers
Posted on May 3, 2012 | No CommentsGetting to the airport can be a complicated affair, depending on where you live and the quality of the public transportation system. Even if you have the best public transportation system in the world, getting on a train or bus with multiple pieces of luggage... -
Is Eurail Worth It? A Review by a Thirty-Something Non-Backpacker
Posted on January 2, 2012 | 19 CommentsFew things capture the travel imagination more than the idea of hopping across Europe by train. Short journeys through breathtaking landscapes, having breakfast in London and dinner in Paris, you get the idea. Especially from the American point of view, such travel borders on the... -
In Defense of the Cruise
Posted on November 6, 2011 | 13 CommentsI talk about travel a lot. Usually with anyone who will listen, and many times with people who are just standing still long enough for me to strike up a conversation. Oftentimes the conversation comes around to my favorite destinations and my advice for a... -
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... -
How Airline Loyalty is Like Dating
Posted on September 18, 2011 | 7 CommentsPerhaps I’ve been a little too focused on this subject lately, but it’s been on my mind. I’ve been loyal to two airlines over my flying lifetime, not at the same time. I like my current airline, but some recent missteps have had me reconsider... -
Aspiring to Levels of Mediocrity – A Review of Qantas Airlines
Posted on September 14, 2011 | 6 CommentsI don’t write reviews of every airline, but I do like to highlight ones on which I have never flown, particularly if it’s a long trip. On our trip to Australia, we had the opportunity to fly Qantas six times in less than two weeks,... -
Airline Abuse and the Somewhat Frequent Flyer
Posted on September 11, 2011 | 6 CommentsUsually at some point during almost every flight, someone comes on the PA system and says something to the effect, “We know you have a lot of options when it comes to flying and we thank you for choosing us.” It’s a nice sentiment, it... -
Giving SuperShuttle and ExecuCar Another Chance
Posted on September 5, 2011 | No CommentsI’ve never actually hit anyone, a fact of which I’m fairly proud, although I have been close to blows a few times. One such time was with a SuperShuttle driver. We were leaving on a long planned, expensive trip to Thailand and Singapore and the... -
New Zealand TranzAlpine Scenic Rail Experience
Posted on August 14, 2011 | 11 CommentsI recently wrote about four travel styles that are so iconic that everyone should really try them at least once. High on that list for me personally was an epic train ride, which I finally experienced in New Zealand when I boarded the famous TranzAlpine... -
Subway Etiquette – Four Tips to Be a Better Train Rider
Posted on August 8, 2011 | 10 Commentsphoto credit: BuffaloPundit I love subways, the underground, metro or whatever one wants to call them. Initially my love was borne from convenience, they’re usually the best way to get around a city and are cheap. Over time it turned into real love of this... -
Experiencing the Air New Zealand 777 – Long Haul Review
Posted on July 25, 2011 | 8 CommentsA lot of people dread flying, particularly long international flights. I have decided that not only do I not mind them, I look forward to them. Ok, it’s true that by hour ten I may be ready to open the door and jump, but overall... -
Travel Question – Do I Need an International Driver’s License
Posted on June 19, 2011 | 14 CommentsEven though I’ve been traveling internationally for a couple of decades, I have somehow managed to avoid driving overseas. When I was younger, it was a matter of budget. I didn’t have much of one. As I got older though, I enjoyed using the public... -
Flying the Cranky Skies – Have the Airlines Gone Too Far?
Posted on June 16, 2011 | 7 CommentsLast week, children’s book author Robert Sayegh was removed from a flight for using the ‘F-word‘. The incident took place on a commuter flight operated on behalf of Delta airlines when, after a wait on the tarmac, passengers were told that a problem with the... -
How to Score Free Travel: Beating the Airlines at the Frequent Flyer Game
Posted on May 25, 2011 | 10 CommentsToday’s guest post is by airline loyalty program expert, Seth Miller. Seth was good enough to share with us some of his tricks in not only earning more airline miles, but actually redeeming them for amazing trips. So you like to travel. Wouldn’t it be... -
Cliffs and Domes – How to Cruise Through Santorini in a Day
Posted on May 9, 2011 | 12 CommentsThe small island of Santorini in Greece’s Cyclades, offers visitors a panorama that is world famous for its singular beauty. While many people travel to Santorini to spend a week or even more, thousands of people visit for a day as part of a... -
Travel Photo Series – Mediterranean Cruise
Posted on April 28, 2011 | 10 CommentsMy first introduction to the countries of the Eastern Mediterranean was aboard a cruise ship, the Celebrity Solstice. I love cruising for a lot of reasons, but principally because it is the most budget friendly way to visit several regions in a short period of... -
The Real Reason Why Cell Phones Will Never Be Allowed on Planes
Posted on April 24, 2011 | 36 CommentsSouth African Airlines recently announced that they are seeking an exemption that would permit the use of cell phones during flights, before that it was Emirates and Singapore Airlines that began allowing limited cell phone use. But making calls while in flight still remains forbidden... -
Devilish Details – Mistakes to Avoid When You Book Airfare
Posted on April 19, 2011 | 7 CommentsYou’ve read all the magazines, thumbed through endless guide books and have spent far too much time online researching your next vacation destination. Finally, after weeks or months of hand wringing and anxiety, you are mentally and financially ready to pull that electronic trigger and... -
Lufthansa A380 First Class Urinals
Posted on March 27, 2011 | 4 CommentsEarlier this year I was fortunate enough to travel on Lufthansa’s newest A380 for its maiden flight to New York City. Prior to the flight I was allowed onboard to poke around, try out the seats and best of all, view the newly revamped First... -
Behind the Scenes at Frankfurt Airport – Lufthansa Hangar Tour
Posted on March 6, 2011 | 4 CommentsAt the kind invitation of Lufthansa, I spent a whirlwind weekend exploring the newest A380 to enter their fleet, as well as explore the Lufthansa base at Frankfurt Airport. Part of this unique experience was a guided tour through the Lufthansa Technik hangars. Lufthansa Technik... -
Frequent Flier Programs – It Pays to be Loyal
Posted on March 2, 2011 | No CommentsWhether you travel for work, pleasure or a mixture of both, there are countless decisions one makes whenever planning a trip. One of the most important, financially and otherwise, is selecting an airline. I try every trick in the book to save as much money... -
Experiencing the New Lufthansa A380 – Inaugural Flight Review Frankfurt – New York
Posted on March 1, 2011 | 11 CommentsAs I wrote yesterday, I was invited by the kind people at Lufthansa to join them as they introduced their A380 service to North America. I arrived in Frankfurt on Saturday, in time to learn more about Lufthansa, the A380 and most importantly, to join... -
Live from Frankfurt – Lufthansa’s Inaugural Service to the United States at JFK
Posted on February 27, 2011 | No CommentsOn Monday, February 28th, Lufthansa will achieve a major milestone for the airline, with the inaugural service of their newest A380 mega plane from Frankfurt to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. This is Lufthansa’s fifth A380 and the first one to service North... -
Nasty, Brutish and Long – Do’s and Don’ts of Modern Plane Travel
Posted on February 23, 2011 | 7 CommentsModern travel is not how it was once envisioned. In the oft-ballyhooed “golden age” of flight, passengers dressed up in their finest clothes, were met with kind and courteous stewardesses and enjoyed everything from steaks to martinis while in flight. Fast forward to 2011 when... -
Royal Caribbean Goes Solo
Posted on February 10, 2011 | 6 CommentsEarlier this year Norwegian Cruise Lines surprised the travel world when, in an industry first, it included more than 100 solo occupancy cabins in their new ship, the Norwegian Epic. This was a welcome change for the thousands of people who actually prefer traveling alone.... -
Top 10 Ways to Score a Free Flight Upgrade
Posted on February 1, 2011 | 4 CommentsToday I am very pleased to share with everyone a fantastic guest post by Amy Chan, Director of Marketing for Kiwi Collection, the world’s largest luxury hotel reviewer. She and her team travel extensively, flying hundreds of thousands of miles every year. She was good... -
Top Five Airline Travel iPhone and iPad Apps
Posted on January 18, 2011 | 3 CommentsA couple of weeks ago I listed my favorite travel iPad apps for general travel. Since then I’ve been asked to highlight some other travel apps, so today I’m starting with my favorite airline apps for the iPhone and iPad. In reviewing all of the... -
Long-Haul Flights – How to Stay Sane and Healthy
Posted on January 12, 2011 | 19 CommentsLong-haul flights are anything but enjoyable, but are a necessary evil for anyone who wants to see more of the world. Technically, a long-haul is defined as any flight more than six hours in length, but depending on your level of travel experience even a... -
Size Matters When Choosing a Cruise
Posted on December 16, 2010 | 1 CommentI firmly believe that taking a cruise is one of the most enjoyable and budget friendly vacations available. I even wrote about how to take one of these vacations while not spending a fortune in Save Money – Take a Cruise? But cruises aren’t just... -
Canada is Hard to Visit
Posted on December 13, 2010 | 19 CommentsTwice in the past few months Scott and I have tried, unsuccessfully, to plan a long weekend in Canada. Our first idea was to visit Montreal over Thanksgiving. The second trip idea was to travel to Banff over a long weekend in January. In both... -
TSA Pat Down Boycott Disaster
Posted on November 21, 2010 | 10 CommentsLast week I wrote about the new TSA full body scan and pat down policies. Without recapping the entire post, in short I opined that many of the TSA policies seem to be more theatrical in nature rather than security related. I compared security measures... -
TSA Versus Passengers: Who is Right and Who Will Win?
Posted on November 17, 2010 | 10 CommentsLet me preface this rambling by saying not only am I not an airline expert, I most certainly am not an airline security expert either. Rather, I am just a frequent flier who spends a lot of time in airports and these are my thoughts.... -
How to Annoy Everyone on Your Next Flight
Posted on October 31, 2010 | 23 CommentsIf you are looking for some quick and easy ways to irritate and aggravate everyone on your next flight, please follow these easy steps. For maximum effect, be sure to implement these tactics on a long-haul flight. 1. Encourage children to scream as loudly as... -
Cruise Lines Add New Fees – Finally Succumbing to the Fee Monster?
Posted on October 10, 2010 | 1 CommentCarnival Cruise Lines recently announced that it would begin experimenting with charging for premium steak options in its main dining rooms. The $18 fee will be a trial run for three months, after which time the company will evaluate the results. Here’s the problem with... -
Anatomy of an Airport
Posted on September 1, 2010 | 9 Comments“It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ‘As pretty as an Airport’ appear.” – Douglas Adams As is usually the case, I completely misjudged Washington, D.C. traffic. At least this time I hadn’t missed my flight, but I was more... -
Future of Cruising – Kid-Friendly or Kid-Only?
Posted on July 12, 2010 | 8 CommentsI took my first cruise in 2002 and have been hooked ever since. I am by no means a cruise expert, but I do love this popular vacation option. (see my post Save Money-Take a Cruise?) If done properly, cruising is not only a lot... -
Save Money – Take a Cruise?
Posted on June 22, 2010 | 4 CommentsCruise vacations have held a particular mystique in the minds of vacationers for decades. Whether the potential passenger reflects on the roaring twenties and the opulent wealth of a transatlantic voyage or the more recent and familiar Love Boat, people are absolutely intrigued about this... -
The Best Open Air Airports – Look Ma, No Walls!
Posted on May 13, 2010 | No Comments“It is no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase ‘As pretty as an Airport’ appear.” – Douglas Adams Douglas Adams clearly did not have these airports in mind when he wrote that famous quip. It is no surprise that airports can elicit... -
The AllSubway iPhone App: How Not to Get Lost AND Look Good Doing It
Posted on March 22, 2010 | 1 CommentIf you’ve traveled to a new city, then you are probably familiar with the feeling of looking at an alien transit map and wondering who concocted such a thing and how on earth do you use it? The AllSubway app is a good step forward... -
How to Redeem Frequent Flyer Miles
Posted on March 19, 2010 | 1 CommentOver the past several years I have successfully redeemed hundreds of thousands of frequent flier miles for some pretty awesome trips. I thought my experiences of actually using my miles was normal until I started talking to other travelers. As it turns out, many people... -
Five Tips for Picking a Cabin on Your Next Cruise
Posted on March 15, 2010 | 1 CommentYou have selected your cruise date and style of cabin and the next screen is…a jumble of nonsensical cabin numbers. How do you choose? Favorite number? Close your eyes and point? Follow these five tips and you should end up with a cabin that will...
