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
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Top Travel Tips Archive
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Travel and Losing One’s Inhibitions
Posted on May 14, 2013 | 10 CommentsWhen it comes down to it, one of the main reasons we all take vacations is to get away from the real world. To say goodbye to grocery lists, electricity bills and annoying bosses, if even for a week or two. We leave home and... -
dio: A New Way to Share Travel Socially
Posted on May 13, 2013 | 1 CommentRecently a new social experience site approached me and asked that I check them out, to give the site a test run and see what I thought. Even though I’m working in collaboration with them this isn’t a mindless advertorial. You know me and you... -
Five Travel Annoyances and How to Deal With Them
Posted on May 6, 2013 | 17 CommentsTravel is a wonderful experience, but that doesn’t always mean it’s always easy. Here are some typical travel annoyances and how to resolve them. 1. Missed flight – This has only happened to me once, but it was a colossal pain and I bet it’s... -
Antler Review and A Day in the Life of a Suitcase (VIDEO)
Posted on May 4, 2013 | 1 CommentSo a couple of months ago the fine folks over at the luxury luggage company Antler sent me over a super cool Cyberlite suitcase. My old one was falling apart, so it was a much needed delivery. I don’t normally do reviews of products and... -
How to Buy a Car and Visit Sweden for Free (Plus a Sweepstakes!)
Posted on May 2, 2013 | 6 CommentsLast week I was in Sweden as part of an initiative cosponsored by Volvo, Visit Sweden, West Sweden Tourism and Skåne Tourism. The goal was to highlight a sweepstakes they have going on and to bring more attention to a cool program Volvo runs for... -
Improving Relationships Through Travel
Posted on April 30, 2013 | 5 CommentsMy partner and I recently traveled to Sweden on a brief but eagerly anticipated trip. I haven’t written about it on LandLopers and I’m not now, but the past several months have been hard on us. We’ve had a lot of challenges to divine our... -
Five Unusual Places I’ve Spent the Night
Posted on April 29, 2013 | 5 CommentsA big part of my job is where I spend the night. I’m a self-proclaimed luxury traveler, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t spent my fair share of nights in somewhat unusual locations. Even though I love fluffy pillows and private butlers, there’s something so... -
The Law That Isn’t – The American Ban on Travel to Cuba
Posted on April 24, 2013 | 11 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... -
Five Things That Are Never in My Suitcase
Posted on April 23, 2013 | 10 CommentsSo a few months ago I wrote a post about the five items I consider essential when I travel. A reader left a comment with a great idea for a follow up post, the five items I used to travel with but stopped taking for... -
Hidden Treasure and Inheriting the Greatest Generation
Posted on April 17, 2013 | 3 CommentsThe other day my partner and I were cleaning out our basement in a fit of much needed spring-cleaning. It was like a treasure hunt; we found photos we forgot existed and mementos from trips long since passed. We also found some items belonging to... -
Affordable Luxury: Five Ways to Save on First Class Experiences
Posted on April 15, 2013 | 7 CommentsI’m a luxury guy; I think I always have been. Travel is of course great in its own right, but when coupled with high-end perks it can be transformed into an extraordinary experience. That doesn’t mean that you have to spend your life savings to... -
Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Posted on April 11, 2013 | 14 CommentsSo I’ve been motivated by a couple of other bloggers who have successfully chronicled their adventures visiting the designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the world and I have decided to do the same. In 1972 the UN, through the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, began... -
Confessions of a Traveling Homebody
Posted on April 9, 2013 | 27 CommentsI was reading through some comments made on Facebook last week (Wow, so there’s a phrase I wouldn’t have typed a few years ago) and one in particular stood out. It was in response to a few travel announcements I made and it read, “I... -
Five Ways to Travel Like a Boss
Posted on April 8, 2013 | 4 CommentsEveryone likes to enjoy the finer things in life, but there are certain experiences that transcend even mere luxury. Experiences that are so special, unique and expensive that only a true Boss will be able to enjoy them. Here are just a few of the... -
Five Fun Apps to Help Pass the Time
Posted on April 3, 2013 | 5 CommentsI’ve written a lot about travel apps on LandLopers. Travel apps to help you do everything from keep track of your flights to tell you how much you’re spending overseas. What I haven’t done before is share some fun apps I use when I travel,... -
The Truth About Traveling as a Gay Man
Posted on April 1, 2013 | 30 CommentsLast week I had lunch with some friends who are also gay and the topic of travel and the LGBT community arose. We talked about countries we wouldn’t visit due to their abysmal record of human rights as they relate to the LGBT community (I’m... -
Ups and Downs of Traveling with a Beard
Posted on March 18, 2013 | 16 CommentsI’m new to this whole beard-wearing thing. For my entire life I dutifully shaved on a regular basis, unless taken ill by plague or kidnapped by rebels. Which is to say I never failed from my clean-shaving razor duties. I wasn’t even sure if I... -
Three Years of Blogging – Happy LoperVersary!
Posted on March 13, 2013 | 8 CommentsThree years ago today I hit publish on my first blog post, The Dogs of Santorini, Greece. Such an innocent start to what would ultimately become a life changing event. I started the blog because I needed an outlet, some creative way to express myself.... -
20 Things Every Smart Traveler Should Know
Posted on March 11, 2013 | 33 CommentsI’ve been thinking a lot about what makes a good traveler lately, and usually those thoughts have gone into higher levels of personal philosophies and self-improvement. At it’s base though, no matter where we go there are a few things we should all know to... -
Stop Marking Time In Your Life
Posted on March 5, 2013 | 16 CommentsWhen I was in high school I was a band geek. Go ahead, make fun but I loved it. Music has always been a part of my life and marching band was perhaps one of the most important experiences in my life. I believe in... -
My Adventure Travel Bucket List
Posted on March 4, 2013 | 8 CommentsI’m a big fan of adventure travel and try to find exciting and unique experiences wherever I go. Lately I had some free time so I thought about what experiences I would love to try, but haven’t yet had the opportunity. Here are my top... -
The Good, the Bad and the Insulated – The Truth About Packing for Antarctica
Posted on February 28, 2013 | 2 CommentsI took too much. I knew it before I started packing and it was even clearer after sitting on my suitcase in order to pull the zipper shut. I had a lot of concerns about packing for Antarctica; it’s unlike any other trip I’ve ever... -
Travel Myths – Things You Think Are True But Aren’t
Posted on February 25, 2013 | 15 CommentsI’ve been thinking a lot about the various myths and urban legends we all unwittingly help to propagate. It’s not our fault, the ‘facts’ sound true and so we share them, wanting to educate and maybe even impress a little. There are many travel related... -
Importance of Language When You Travel
Posted on February 4, 2013 | 15 CommentsI’ve always had a fascination with foreign cultures; I figure it must be a genetic predisposition. Being a frustrated traveler at 10 years old though isn’t easy, so I found ways to assuage my wanderlust while not leaving home. One of the best things I... -
Five Things You’re Doing Wrong When You Travel
Posted on January 28, 2013 | 18 Comments1. Planning wrong – I am a self-confessed over planner. There is nothing I enjoy more than researching my next travel destination and planning out every second of our visit. Luckily, I almost always ignore these intricately planned schedules. Rather than go to these extremes though,... -
Five Travel Activities I Wish I Hadn’t Done
Posted on January 23, 2013 | 14 CommentsI usually have a great time when I travel, but not everything can be a winner and sometimes I just don’t have a great experience. There have been plenty of times I’ve regretted doing something almost immediately. That’s not to say theses experiences aren’t worthwhile,... -
Myths About Working From Home
Posted on January 21, 2013 | 14 CommentsI’ve worked from home for more than five years. My current work is inherently mobile so it makes sense, but even when I had a traditional 9-5 job I also worked from home as a remote employee. I won’t lie, there are some amazing benefits... -
Music, Whisky and My First Travel Crush
Posted on January 14, 2013 | 5 CommentsGas cost $1.15 a gallon and you could buy a loaf of bread for less than two bucks. Peace was reached in Northern Ireland, the US had a budget surplus, Google was founded, Buffy was slaying vampires and Bill Clinton swore he didn’t have sexual... -
What I Resolve Not To Do in 2013
Posted on January 8, 2013 | 10 CommentsThe interwebs are full of grandiose plans and goals for the New Year, just as they are every year. Maybe I’m jaded, maybe my impending birthday has made me grumpier than normal but it is more my personality to look at 2013 and just hope... -
Five Great Apps for Travel Money and Financial Management
Posted on January 1, 2013 | 8 Comments1. Trail Wallet – I know I tend to lose track of how much money I spend while on vacation and I’m sure you all do as well. That’s why I like this new app designed by and for people who love to travel.... -
2012 – The Year I Loved to Hate
Posted on December 30, 2012 | 7 CommentsSome years pass by with little more than a backward glance while others are hallmarks of one’s life. I’m not sure 2012 will prove to be a paradigm shift in my own personal history, but it definitely warrants more than just a backward glance. So... -
Travel Bloggers Picks for Top 2013 Travel Destinations
Posted on December 27, 2012 | 21 CommentsI thought about writing a post featuring the destinations I think people should consider visiting in 2013 but then I realized the limitations to that exercise, namely the fact I haven’t been everywhere. So in order to provide a well rounded list of places... -
My Favorite Destination of 2012
Posted on December 26, 2012 | 11 CommentsEven though I’ve flown more than 100,000 miles this year and visited dozens of countries, this was not a hard decision to make. There was one place that spoke to me more than any other; one travel experience that surpassed anything else I’ve done this... -
My Favorite Photo of 2012
Posted on December 25, 2012 | 9 CommentsThis was an exceptionally hard decision to make. I poured over thousands of photos, many of which mean a lot to me. I spend so much time editing them and they mean so much that they truly are like my little digitized kids. That’s why... -
My Favorite Person of 2012
Posted on December 24, 2012 | 4 CommentsI meet a lot of people, it’s just a part of the travel experience. Sometimes I’m not always ready to meet them though. If I had a bad day or am feeling particularly introverted, I may not be open to learning about them and their... -
My Favorite Foodie Destination of 2012
Posted on December 23, 2012 | 8 CommentsI’ve said it a million times and I’ll probably keep repeating it until I die, but food is arguably the most important aspect of the travel experience. We all have to eat, so it’s immediately relatable to everyone and the sense memories created tend to... -
Welcome to the End of the World
Posted on December 20, 2012 | 8 CommentsCongratulations! You are the end of a long line of humans who evolved from the murky swamps into the Facebook loving, Starbucks drinking people we are today. As the Mayans predicted so long ago, today, December 21st 2012 is the End of The World. I... -
My Picks For Best and Worst Travel Experiences of 2012
Posted on December 19, 2012 | 11 CommentsI can hear the virtual groans now, another self-reflective slightly saccharine overview of 2012? Well no, I hope not. But it is a good time of year to think back on everything that I’ve done and what I’ve been through and I want to share... -
The Art of the Gadget – Interview With Conceptual Photographer Todd McLellan
Posted on December 18, 2012 | 1 CommentLast week I had the opportunity to visit the WIRED Insider Pop Up store in New York City as part of the Marriott + WIRED Insider Culturazzi event series. While the cool gadgets on display were the stars of the show, I couldn’t help but... -
Marriott Culturazzi and My 12 Favorite Gadgets and Doodads from the WIRED Pop-Up Store
Posted on December 16, 2012 | No CommentsFor the past several months, WIRED Magazine and Marriott Hotels & Resorts have been hosting events around the country designed to bring together people with an interest in art, music, technology and travel for unforgettable evenings of inspiration and creativity. Think of them as salons... -
VIDEO: A Day in New York and a Night with the Culturazzi
Posted on December 16, 2012 | 6 CommentsI recently spent a couple of days in New York exploring the city and attending the final 2012 event in the WIRED + Marriott Culturazzi series. Since I had some spare time I asked the Marriott concierge for his help in exploring all of the... -
Five Reasons Christmas is a Great Time to Visit Europe
Posted on December 12, 2012 | 10 Comments1. Sights – A highlight of any European vacation are the amazing sites, from the Vatican to the Eiffel Tower and everything in between. During the holidays all of these famous landmarks are even more fun to visit. If you’re religious, then the many churches... -
Evolution of Travel Trends – A Look at the 1997 Edition of The Practical Nomad
Posted on December 10, 2012 | 8 Comments!998 Matt In 1997 writer and all around travel expert Edward Hasbrouck wrote what would become the bible of the independent traveler, The Practical Nomad. In it Hasbrouck introduced a generation to the concepts of career breaks and truly nomadic travel. I found the... -
Everything You Need to Know About Food and Travel – An Interview with Jodi Ettenberg
Posted on December 6, 2012 | 9 CommentsRecently a group of travel writers released a new series of travel guides that focus not on destinations, but styles of travel. I love this approach because it’s so much more personal and the assembled experts provide tips and tricks that will help every level... -
Quick to Judge – Prejudice and Why Some People Really Don’t Want to See the World
Posted on December 3, 2012 | 17 CommentsThe recent round of bombings and attacks in the Middle East provoked some pretty intense thinking on my part about tourism and people’s travel habits. Day after day I read in the travel press about fears that the turmoil would set back years of tourism... -
Five Things You Should Know Before Going on Safari
Posted on November 28, 2012 | 25 Comments1. Be prepared – Going on a safari is not your standard travel experience. First of all, it’s probably the result of a lot of planning and saving on your part and because of that you expect to get a lot out of the experience.... -
Passports With Purpose 2012 – Win a European Prize Pack Worth $1500 and Bring Clean Water to Haiti
Posted on November 27, 2012 | 5 CommentsFor the third year in a row I’m thrilled to announce that LandLopers is participating in the remarkable travel blogger charitable drive Passports With Purpose. Passports with Purpose is a coordinated effort by hundreds of travel bloggers around the world to give back to areas... -
Five Travel Time Sucks That Are Worth The Wait
Posted on November 27, 2012 | 13 CommentsI’ve always maintained that certain tourist attractions are popular for a reason, they’re amazing. Some elitists may turn their nose to wanting a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower or taking a gondola in Venice, but for most people these are the experiences that... -
How Getting Older Has Changed the Way I Travel
Posted on November 26, 2012 | 25 CommentsI’m not old, not by any stretch of the imagination but I am now firmly entrenched in my late 30s with no where else to go but up. A lot of things in my life have changed over the years, as they do for everyone.... -
The Art of the Brick® – An Interview With LEGO® Brick Artist Nathan Sawaya
Posted on November 21, 2012 | 2 CommentsAt the latest installment of the WIRED + Marriott Culturazzi series in San Francisco, guests were inspired by the words of Chris Anderson and the works of artists like Nathan Sawaya. Nathan isn’t your usual sculptor, a former attorney Nathan is one of the most...
