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:
blogsherpa Archive
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Walking the Medieval Streets of Peratallada, Spain
Posted on November 26, 2012 | 2 Comments -
Quebec City in Five Photos
Posted on November 25, 2012 | 19 CommentsAfter years of pining, I recently had the opportunity to explore the picturesque town of Quebec City. I have long drooled over the photos of European style shops and stories of warm people and delicious food and I wasn’t disappointed. Everything I had heard about... -
More Photos of Really Cute Animals (Mostly Puppies)
Posted on November 21, 2012 | No CommentsToday is Thanksgiving in the United States and so I know a lot of you are rightly enjoying time with your family, eating great food and just relaxing. In keeping with the laid back feel of today, here are some recent cute animal photos for... -
Thankful Travel 2012 – Five Favorite Moments From the Year
Posted on November 20, 2012 | 1 CommentThanksgiving is tomorrow here in the United States and with it a forced gluttony of turkey, stuffing and pie. It’s also a time when many of us feel a little nostalgic and thankful for our lives, regardless of any great burdens we have had to... -
Creativity Takes Courage
Posted on November 20, 2012 | 1 Comment -
Victoria Falls – Natural Wonder or Just Some Noisy Water?
Posted on November 19, 2012 | 12 CommentsIn 1855 David Livingstone found himself in a canoe traveling down the Zambezi River towards what the locals called ‘smoke that thunders.’ The sound is what he heard first, a tremendous roar heard from miles away. Then as they approached the thick columns of spray,... -
Ivy Covered Walks of Santa Clotilde’s Botanical Gardens in Lloret de Mar, Spain
Posted on November 19, 2012 | 1 Comment -
Meeting a Black Rhino in Africa
Posted on November 14, 2012 | 7 CommentsI love animals and the opportunity to go on multiple game drives in Africa was a once in a lifetime experience I’ll never forget. The fun and excitement turned serious though when I found myself a couple of feet from the elusive and endangered Black... -
Ego Alley in the Old Harbor of Annapolis
Posted on November 14, 2012 | No Comments -
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... -
Hot Air Balloon In the Clouds Over Spain’s Pyrenees
Posted on November 13, 2012 | 2 Comments -
Five Foods You Must Eat in Europe
Posted on November 12, 2012 | 23 CommentsOne of the best aspects of traveling in Europe is the food. From the best pastries in the world to savory dishes created with care and perfection. There are a lot of great foods from which to choose, but these are my favorite go-to foods... -
Sunset at Uluru, Ayer’s Rock in the Australian Outback
Posted on November 12, 2012 | No Comments -
Cape Town’s Alcatraz – A Somber Visit to Robben Island
Posted on November 11, 2012 | 4 CommentsThe sign at the ticket office said that all tours for the next two weeks were sold out, weird for winter in South Africa. But sure enough, the ferry was packed with tourists and locals alike as we made the short trip to one of... -
Spanish For Gin and Tonic is…
Posted on November 8, 2012 | No CommentsI’m not normally a big fan of hard liquor; beer and wine are usually fine with me. And if I were to ever have hard liquor, I can guarantee you that it wouldn’t be a gin and tonic. That drink seems relegated to an older... -
Sunset Elephant Procession in Zimbabwe
Posted on November 7, 2012 | 1 Comment -
Travel in Tokyo – Three Personal Challenges and How to Overcome Them
Posted on November 7, 2012 | 13 CommentsI had no idea what I was looking at. The plastic food looked so pretty in the shop window, but I don’t speak Japanese and there wasn’t even an English comma hanging around. Add to that my notorious reputation as a picky eater and I... -
42 Things I Love About the Costa Brava and the Girona Pyrenees in Spain
Posted on November 6, 2012 | 12 Comments1. Learning how to make aioli the RIGHT way 2. Visit to Llívia, the only Catalan town surrounded by France 3. Eating dinner inside a volcano in Olot 4. Delicious and succulent ham, all the time and everywhere 5. Skiing at La Molina high in... -
Amsterdam Canal from the Water
Posted on November 6, 2012 | 1 Comment -
One Year Later – A Look Back at My Travel Wish List and New Additions
Posted on November 5, 2012 | 13 CommentsA year ago I wrote this post about places I want to visit. I’m asked all the time what my favorite destinations are and where I most want to go next. While I don’t really believe in travel bucket lists, I do of course have... -
Dali Inspired Graffiti in Girona, Spain
Posted on November 5, 2012 | 1 Comment -
Five Words To Know Before You Visit South Africa
Posted on November 4, 2012 | 15 CommentsEvery country has its own unique linguistic quirks and picking up on these is inevitable when you visit. I heard many new terms during my trip to Cape Town, but these are my five favorite South Africa words and phrases. 1. Pleasure – Pronounced [Pleeee-sure].... -
Social Technology and the New Breed of Hotels
Posted on November 1, 2012 | 8 CommentsI’m a sucker for a nice hotel. There’s nothing better than coming back to a stylish and relaxing oasis after a long day of sightseeing or a tough day at work. In recent years I’ve heard from a lot of people who are growing more... -
Walking Through Bruges at Christmas
Posted on October 31, 2012 | 18 CommentsBruges is one of those classically European towns that just oozes with charm and beauty. It’s almost as if Disney had masterminded the entire visitor experience, from horse drawn carriages to the intricately gabled roofs. Add to this the magic of the Christmas holiday season... -
Elephant Rock Formation at Entrance to Petra, the Siq
Posted on October 31, 2012 | 1 Comment -
Five of the Least Scary Places in the World
Posted on October 30, 2012 | 8 CommentsThe leaves have turned, there’s a chill in the air and smells of apple pie and fresh cider have filled the kitchens of millions. Fall is here and with it the favorite holiday of many, Halloween. In the past I’ve written about fun places to... -
Funky Pirelli Chair at the Salvadore Dali House in Port Lligat, Spain
Posted on October 30, 2012 | No Comments -
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... -
Another Perfect Sunset Near the Water at St. Kilda, Melbourne
Posted on October 29, 2012 | No Comments -
Four Reasons Everyone Loves Australia
Posted on October 28, 2012 | 9 CommentsOK, before you start thinking that this post is sponsored by Australia Tourism or something, it’s not, but it is something I’ve been thinking about for a long time. If you poll potential travelers most, and not just Americans, usually have a trip to Australia... -
VIDEO Highlights From the WIRED Insider and Marriott Night of Comedy with Funny or Die
Posted on October 27, 2012 | No CommentsI recently took part in an exciting event hosted by WIRED Insider and Marriott Hotels and Resorts, the second installment in their Culturazzi series of events, an evening with Funny or Die. The night of humor took place on the rooftop of the gorgeous Marriott... -
Lessons From a Boat Safari in Botswana
Posted on October 24, 2012 | 6 CommentsThe opportunity to observe remarkable animals in their natural element was a precious treat for me on a recent trip to Namibia and Botswana. I stayed on a luxury cruise boat and every day the group set out for new adventures and new animal... -
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... -
Politics and Prose: Some More Thoughts About South Africa
Posted on October 22, 2012 | 1 CommentThe other day during the Presidential debates a South African Twitter follower commented how she wished their elected leaders would debate each other. That made me pause for a second until I realized that most countries in the world don’t have debates per se as... -
How to Get Fat in Spain
Posted on October 21, 2012 | 8 CommentsUsually when I travel the amount of walking, hiking and biking I do more than offsets any extra calories I get from, oh I don’t know, chocolate croissants and the like. I also tend to eat food that’s fresher than I do at home where... -
Five Must Have Apps for Instagram and Mobile Photography
Posted on October 17, 2012 | 12 CommentsWith each new generation of iPhone, the quality of mobile photography only gets better. Today’s smart phones can now take photos that rival even the best DSLR cameras on the market – in the right hands of course. Just because you own a smart phone... -
Eiffel Bridge in Girona, Spain
Posted on October 17, 2012 | No Comments -
Rocks and Waves: Finding Dali’s Natural Inspiration in Spain
Posted on October 16, 2012 | 1 CommentDali was a strange man. A quick glance through the Spanish surrealist’s major works proves that right away. But he was also a passionate man and sought inspiration in the world around him, especially the natural world. One of the most important points of influence... -
Sailboat Racing Across Sydney Harbour
Posted on October 16, 2012 | 2 Comments -
42 Things I Love About Banff, Canada (in the winter)
Posted on October 15, 2012 | 19 Comments1. Curling up next to a roaring fire with a good book, watching the snow fall outside 2. Great skiing, if that’s your thing 3. Surprisingly excellent food at Masala Authentic Indian Cuisine 4. The gorgeous drive from Calgary into the mountains 5. Relaxing in... -
City of Lights – A Walk Through Paris at Christmas
Posted on October 14, 2012 | 10 CommentsParis excites my travel imagination any time of year, but during the winter holidays the magic of the city seems to expand exponentially. In a veritable travel grenade of food, culture and urban beauty Paris explodes into a city not to be missed around the... -
Looking Across the Island of St. Kitts
Posted on October 14, 2012 | No Comments -
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.... -
Two is Better Than One Photo Series
Posted on October 11, 2012 | No Comments -
Morality of Eating in Iceland
Posted on October 10, 2012 | 13 CommentsI like animals. A review of my posts will reveal a certain propensity towards engaging in animal related travel experiences and copious amounts of photos featuring cute wildlife. I try to be careful though when I travel, selecting what I hope and believe to be... -
Stormy Beach at Misty Cliffs, Cape Town
Posted on October 10, 2012 | No Comments -
Mushrooming in Spain
Posted on October 9, 2012 | 1 CommentThe Spanish take hunting for mushrooms seriously, very seriously. Finding the perfect edible fungi is a well-honed skill and the best places to hunt for the ‘shrooms are secrets often passed down through families. There’s even a reality TV show, The Mushroom Hunter, that follows... -
Organized Chaos of the The Djemaa el Fna Night Market in Marrakech
Posted on October 9, 2012 | No Comments -
Five Cities That Deserve a Second Chance
Posted on October 8, 2012 | 32 CommentsTravel isn’t always rainbows and baby camels. Sometimes bad things happen and sometimes we visit places that we don’t like. I know, I know, there’s something good to be found everywhere; except when you don’t want to find it. Usually when I don’t like a... -
View of the Southern Alps by Train in New Zealand
Posted on October 8, 2012 | 2 Comments
