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
As Seen In:
Best of the Rest Archive
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March of the Penguins – Can You Handle the Cute?
Posted on April 7, 2013 | 11 CommentsEver since I returned from Antarctica on my Adventure Life sponsored trip, one of the first things people have asked to see are my penguin photos. I’ve already included quite a few in my coverage so far, but I thought I’d show you the full... -
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... -
iPhoneography in the Pyrenees
Posted on October 2, 2012 | 6 CommentsIn just the last few years camera technology in mobile phones has grown exponentially, with the iPhone leading the way. (At least in my humble opinion) Add to the quality of photos sharing platforms like Instagram, and you have a new social movement of sharing... -
Capturing Color Through Travel Photos
Posted on July 16, 2012 | 16 CommentsThere’s been a photo meme circulating around the blogosphere and never one to ignore a photo challenge, I decided to join in the fun. Below are my favorite photos that reflect the following colors: Blue, Green, Yellow, White and Red. So without further ado, here... -
Surprise! I’m in Iceland with the Photos to Prove It
Posted on February 12, 2012 | 26 CommentsSo a couple of weeks ago on my birthday my partner announced that my present was a surprise trip to an undisclosed location. When we arrived at the airport last Thursday night I still had no idea where we were headed; an exciting adventure for... -
The Cartoon Walk – Looking for the 9th Art in Brussels
Posted on February 7, 2012 | 3 CommentsI couldn’t help but notice that her clothes were pretty small for what was a well formed physique. What was even more strange was that she was a cat. Cartoon cat actually and just one of the many ways in which Brussels pays homage to... -
My 7 Super Shots
Posted on January 29, 2012 | 14 CommentsI was recently approached by the site Hostelbookers.com to participate in a round robin style blog post. Yes, another one, but this one is fun. They assembled seven bloggers, including myself, and asked us to contribute one photo and story for seven categories. You can... -
Reflections on a Petra Dog
Posted on January 22, 2012 | No CommentsI took this photo in Petra, Jordan, while on a 10-hour exploration of the ancient site. It was hot, scorching really, and every living thing was seeking shade of some sort, including this little guy. Dogs traditionally are not well cared for in certain... -
UPDATED: Travel Dogs – My Favorite Dogs From Around the World
Posted on January 5, 2012 | 12 CommentsEven if you’re an infrequent reader of LandLopers, the fact that I am a huge dog lover will come as no surprise. I’ve always loved dogs, all animals really, and have three rescued pups living with me now, with the possibility of a fourth always... -
My Favorite Photos of 2011
Posted on December 22, 2011 | 8 CommentsI’ll be doing a more robust series of my favorite travel photos from the year soon, but I want to offer a sneak peek to go along with the #FriFotos theme. Every week thousands of people from around the world share photos on Twitter along... -
Christmas in Paris – From Macaroons to a Sparkling Eiffel Tower
Posted on December 21, 2011 | 3 CommentsI’m pretty familiar with Paris. I’ve visited, admired and even lived there briefly. The one time of year still unknown to me though was Paris during the Christmas holiday season, an experience I finally fulfilled this week. We started the day with a culinary tour... -
Travel Photos – First Time in Amsterdam
Posted on December 20, 2011 | 5 CommentsOn Tuesday we boarded the Thalys train early in the morning with an eye on spending the day in Amsterdam. Luckily as holders of a Eurail Flexi Pass, it was extremely easy to take a quick day trip to the famous canal city of the... -
Photos of the Day – Brussels’ Giant Atom, Peeing Statues and more Christmas Market Madness
Posted on December 19, 2011 | 5 CommentsWe took a break from the Christmas Market madness and the sweet smell of baking waffles to visit one of the more unusual attractions in the city, the very mod Atomium. More on this in a future post, but the Atomium was built for the... -
Photos of the Day – Wintertime Fun, Waffles and Comic Book Heroes in Brussels
Posted on December 18, 2011 | 1 CommentOur first day in Brussels was necessarily a light one, mostly because of our overwhelming exhaustion. We did spend an incredible afternoon walking around the city center and the Grand Place, currently home to the annual Winter Festival. Stalls line the cobblestone streets selling everything... -
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... -
Five Random Travel Photos I Love
Posted on November 15, 2011 | 5 CommentsI may not be a world famous National Geographic travel photographer, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy photography as a hobby. Flipping through my photos recently I found a few that I love and thought I would share them with you. 1. I was... -
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... -
Light, Shadow and Rock – The Changing Faces of Uluru
Posted on September 15, 2011 | 3 Comments -
Travel Photos – Rare Sighting of Blue Footed Booby Family, Galapagos
Posted on September 7, 2011 | 2 Comments -
Travel Photo – Petra Camel Caravan, Jordan
Posted on September 5, 2011 | No Comments -
Travel Photo – Hercules and the Amman Citadel
Posted on August 21, 2011 | 1 CommentThe Amman Citadel rises high above the city providing an amazing 360 degree view of Jordan’s capital. The site is an ancient one and there’s evidence of a variety of civilizations still in full sight today. One of the post impressive is Hercules’ hand, one... -
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... -
Exploring the Mosaic Map of Madaba
Posted on August 11, 2011 | 2 CommentsThe Madaba Map in Jordan It was hard leaving the Red Sea resort town of Aqaba, one of Jordan’s great cities, but I knew we had to keep moving. I was on a whirlwind trip of the country and eager to head back north... -
Travel Photo – Oldest Mosaic Map of Jerusalem, Madaba
Posted on August 3, 2011 | No CommentsJerusalem Map Located just 30 kilometers from Jordan’s capital, Amman, is Madaba, home of the famous Mosaic Map. Covering the floor of the Greek Orthodox Church of St. George, the map dates from the 6th century and is the oldest surviving mosaic map of the... -
Travel Photo – Colorful Sally Lightfoot Crab, Galapagos Islands
Posted on August 1, 2011 | 1 Comment -
Travel Photo – St. Andrew’s Cathedral, Amalfi Coast
Posted on July 31, 2011 | 1 CommentItaly’s Amalfi Coast is one of the great treasures of the world, and no visit is complete with a stop in the town of Amalfi itself. In the center of this compact town is the Duomo, the Cathedral of St. Andrew. The colorful cathedral dates... -
Travel Photo – Sunset Over Wadi Rum Desert
Posted on July 28, 2011 | No CommentsDesert Sunset -
Travel Photo – Koele Ranch Sunrise, Lana’i
Posted on July 27, 2011 | No CommentsKoele Ranch, Lana i -
Travel Photo – A Lounge of Marine Iguanas Galapagos Islands
Posted on July 26, 2011 | 1 CommentThe marine iguana is endemic to the Galapagos Islands and exists no where else in the world. This prehistoric looking creature can be found throughout the archipelago and feeds exclusively underwater on seaweed and algae. It’s not uncommon for snorkelers and divers to meet a... -
Travel Spotlight – Visit to Saadian Tombs in Marrakech
Posted on July 12, 2011 | 1 CommentLocated next to the Kasbah Mosque in the Marrakech medina rests the hauntingly beautiful Saadian Tombs. Built in 16th century, the ornate tomb complex is the final resting place of Sultan Ahmed el-Mansour, who gained his wealth through the sugar and slave trades. The tombs... -
Travel Spotlight – Dana Biosphere Reserve, Jordan
Posted on July 10, 2011 | No CommentsOn the drive from the Crusader castle at Karak to the Nabatean city of Petra, we stopped by one of Jordan’s greatest natural wonders, the Dana Biosphere Reserve. My first introduction to Dana was at a scenic overlook along the highway, home to a Jordanian... -
Franz Josef Glacier Helicopter Flight Experience and Video
Posted on July 5, 2011 | 12 CommentsThe hamlet of Franz Josef seems to exist for one reason – to service the hulking, icy behemoth after which it is named. It’s one of the those towns with just a couple of streets, where everyone knows everyone else and a car is unnecessary.... -
Lakes, Wine and No Snow – Meandering Through Wanaka and Queenstown New Zealand
Posted on July 2, 2011 | 5 CommentsI like small towns, always have. I grew up in towns of middling size, each grasping on to the moniker “city” with all their might and not without a sarcastic glint. So when I rolled into Wanaka just after sunset on the next to last... -
Glaciers, Mt. Cook and the New Zealand West Coast
Posted on June 30, 2011 | 13 CommentsI woke early on my fifth day in New Zealand; it was still dark in the mountain outpost of Franz Josef. Franz Josef exists for the mountains and the glacier, and tourists flock here in droves. Little did I realize when I started the... -
Christchurch to Franz Josef New Zealand – Trains, Glaciers and Spas
Posted on June 29, 2011 | 5 CommentsIt was rainy, cold and a little dreary as I waited for my cab to the Addington railway station in Christchurch to start the fourth day of my introduction to New Zealand. I wasn’t going on just any train, I was about to embark on... -
Penguins, Earthquakes and Rebirth – Christchurch, New Zealand
Posted on June 29, 2011 | 4 CommentsOn the third day of my ambitious “See New Zealand in a Week” trip, I flew from beautiful but smelly Rotorua to Christchurch, the focal point of my trip. I’m here as part of the #Blog4NZ Project, and I was eager to see the city... -
Zorb, Sheep and Sulfur – Journey to Rotorua in New Zealand
Posted on June 28, 2011 | 7 CommentsOn my second day in New Zealand, I woke early and made the two hour drive from Waitomo to Rotorua along some of the prettiest roads on which I’ve ever driven. It seemed like every few meters I was stopping to take photos until I... -
New Zealand Adventure Travel – Waitomo
Posted on June 27, 2011 | 2 CommentsI arrived before dawn on Sunday and immediately made the two-hour drive to Waitomo, home of the famous glowworm caves. This area tucked away in the rolling hills of New Zealand’s North Island has been a tourist destination for more than a century, all because... -
Travel Spotlight – Palacio Real and Almudena Cathedral, Madrid, Spain
Posted on June 13, 2011 | 4 CommentsMadrid is one of those cities where I wish I had weeks to spend, instead of just days. It was my first time in Spain and I wasn’t sure what to expect. What I experienced was simply amazing, and I can’t wait to see more... -
Travel Spotlight: Desert Castles of Jordan – Qasr al-Amra
Posted on June 6, 2011 | 2 CommentsLocated in the desert east of Amman are a serious of curious structures, dotting the landscape almost randomly. These are the famous Desert Castles of Jordan, a remnant of the once dominant Umayyad empire. Built more than 1,200 years ago, these so-called castles didn’t have... -
Cute Overload – Baby Camels of Jordan
Posted on June 2, 2011 | 13 CommentsI love animals, a lot. Throw in baby animals and my heart melts and I lose all control. While in Jordan, I was lucky enough to spend some time in the desert where, to my great joy, there had been a camel baby boom. Here... -
Travel Spotlight – Romerberg, Frankfurt Germany
Posted on May 30, 2011 | 5 CommentsLocated across the street from Frankfurt’s city hall complex, the Römer, sit’s the gingerbread houses known as Römerberg. These historic timber-framed buildings recall the romance of Germany’s past through their old world, yet iconic style. While the originals were destroyed in World War II, the... -
Bethany-Beyond-the-Jordan, Roman City of Jerash and the Dead Sea: Adventures in Jordan
Posted on May 28, 2011 | 3 CommentsMy last two days in Jordan were no less interesting and fun than the first two, except for the knowledge that the trip would soon be over. Leaving Ma’In, we drove past the Dead Sea to Bethany-Beyond-The-Jordan, the spot were Christ was baptized. Today the... -
Madaba Mosaics, Moses’ Mt. Nebo and the Thermal Spas of Ma’In – Trekking Through Jordan
Posted on May 26, 2011 | 1 CommentMy amazing trip to Jordan is winding down and this morning we left Aqaba to journey north to the city of Madaba. Madaba is most famous for the mosaic floor found in St. George’s Church. This isn’t your average mosaic, the 6th century mosaic map... -
Adventures in Jordan: Seven Pillars of Wisdom, Aqaba and Red Sea Snorkeling
Posted on May 25, 2011 | 4 CommentsI was awakened this morning by some pigeons who apparently had a roost above my tent in the Wadi Rum desert camp. Since I was up early, I used my time to pay another visit to the baby camels and to explore the area. After... -
Amazing Petra, Wadi Rum Desert Camp and Baby Camels – Trekking Through Jordan
Posted on May 24, 2011 | 8 CommentsToday was a tiring day. We awoke early to start the walk through the Siq to enter the ancient city of Petra. I thought I knew what to expect, but I wasn’t even close. It was an incredible experience. After more than twelve kilometers of... -
Crusader Castle, Dana Biosphere Reserve and Petra by Night – Trekking Through Jordan Highlights
Posted on May 23, 2011 | 2 CommentsOn my second day in Jordan we left Amman along the Desert Highway to the ancient city of Karak, home of an imposing Crusader-era castle. The castle looms high over the modern city of Karak in an eerie reminder of the city’s past. We then... -
Trekking Through Jordan Highlights – Amman and the Desert Castles
Posted on May 22, 2011 | 12 CommentsOn my first day in Jordan, I visited a few of the famous ‘desert castles’ found in the desert east of Amman. While not really castles, these centuries old buildings were used as retreats, baths and meeting places for Umayyad leaders. After spending the morning... -
Travel Spotlight – Clarke Quay, Singapore
Posted on May 17, 2011 | 1 CommentThis popular restaurant and shopping district in Singapore is one of the city’s iconic destinations. Although I love standing along the banks of the Singapore River and watching the old barge taxis putter along, my favorite spot in the area is the Raffles Landing Site.... -
Travel Spotlight – Wat Po, the Super Size Buddha of Bangkok
Posted on May 3, 2011 | 1 CommentWat Po was one of the first sites we visited in Bangkok and is still one of my favorites. Also called the Reclining Buddha, Wat Po (or Pho) is the oldest and without doubt the largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok, dating back to the 16th...
