I am once again partnering with Holland America, this time for this post as well as other social media posts. As usual though, all thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. Like so many people, I would love to visit all 50 states one of these days. Turns out, I’m fairly close (Just six more!) to finishing but one that I thought would be the last for me was Alaska. That all changed though just a few years ago when the premier name in Alaska cruising, Holland America, invited me to join them on a truly remarkable voyage in America’s…
Author: Matt Long
Like many people, visiting all of the country’s 63 National Parks is a lifelong ambition that I sincerely hope to complete someday. There’s just something special about an American National Park that is hard to describe and impossible to quantify; you have to experience it in order to truly understand. Within the pantheon of parks though some, through personal preference or history, certainly rise to the top and for most visitors Yosemite is one of those elite-level parks. Prior to 2021 I had never set foot in this most revered of parks, yet the year had me visit this California…
Even I would raise an eyebrow at the title of this blog post, yet here I sit writing it in all honesty and earnestness. It was just one of many surprises though during a week of fun exploration touring with Globus. With many decades of experience from which to draw, they were the ideal partner as I left my home/prison of two years and hit the road, this time trekking across gorgeous Northern California on Globus’ California Dreamin’ tour. Why partner with a tour company for this domestic trip? Through their other businesses (Monograms and Avalon) I have traveled with…
I really dislike starting off this blog post with the word COVID, but here we are. Like it or not COVID now defines daily life and that is especially true in the travel context. For me, the question has been how to balance safe traveling with actually traveling and it took me a while to sort out what that meant. Personally, it means traveling with health and safety in mind but the key part of that is traveling. I’m not going to stop traveling, that much is for sure. That being said, over the last couple of years the only…
One great thing about visiting Disneyland in Anaheim, California is that unlike its Florida cousin, one does not have to stay on-site to get the Disney experience. In fact, staying offsite IS part of the Disneyland experience in my honest opinion. I’ve stayed at several hotels and they’ve all been good, but I recently had the great opportunity to try the newest hotel in Anaheim, one known for its commitment to luxury and service – the JW Marriott Anaheim. From previous experience at sister properties around the world I knew what to expect, but even those lofty expectations were almost…
Traveling for unique or annual events is one of the most popular reasons why people travel, so this week Patrick and Matt share some quirky examples of special event & celebratory explorations. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Weird Travel is a podcast within a podcast and my effort to chronicle and share some of travel’s fun mysteries and odd places. Helping me on this journey of discovery is Patrick Kozicky, a fellow podcaster and good friend. About Patrick Patrick Kozicky lives in Minneapolis, MN.…
What people think about cruise travel varies dramatically and hinges on their own travel experiences. Past cruisers are usually head over heels in love with the travel style, while newbies have a certain level of skepticism that has always baffled me. I’ve had many opportunities to try a variety of cruise styles over the years, and while it’s not how I always choose to travel it is a way of seeing the world that I truly do enjoy. This week we’re talking all about the single most disruptive event to cruising in many decades, COVID, with one of the top…
California is shockingly and practically embarrassingly large. It could easily be split into three or four states without anyone batting an eye. That makes visiting and exploring the state a challenge at times, especially when one is caught up seeing only the major cities. While amazing, cities like L.A. or San Francisco don’t have what the state is perhaps most known for, its incredible natural treasures. On a recent trip along the Majestic Mountain Loop I had the great opportunity to visit some of these parks and to finally see for myself the destinations that sparked the modern conservation movement…
Like most of the country, California recently went through the methodical reopening of most businesses and activities following strict COVID restrictions. Since California is such a great option for travel in 2021, I wanted to devote an entire episode to exploring the state with a special emphasis on Disneyland. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. This week’s guest Jason Cochran Jason Cochran, Editor-in-Chief of Frommers.com, is the author of “Here Lies America: Buried Agendas and Family Secrets at the Tourist Sites Where Bad History Went…
This week we celebrate the 100th episode of the Explore the Travel World podcast with a fun retrospective. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. It’s hard to believe that the podcast is already celebrating 100 episodes! It feels just like yesterday when I sat down to figure out the mechanics of podcasting, not to mention the actual programming. I am so happy to have started it though, it’s been one of the most enjoyable new projects I’ve tackled in a long time. This week I…
This week on the podcast we’re talking all about the amazing road trip I took through Arizona and New Mexico, hitting some incredible natural wonders and stunning luxury experiences along the way. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Three years ago I drove the entirety of Route 66 from Chicago to Santa Monica. Even today I still consider it the best trip I’ve ever undertaken, and I find myself actually missing the experience. Perhaps that’s what fueled my desire to return to the American Southwest,…
There’s no shortage of experiences to enjoy in California, but one of the best is to explore the three National Parks along the Majestic Mountain Loop. Connecting Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, the Loop is a great way to see the parks as well as the incredible communities nearby. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. This Week’s Guests Suzanne Bianco Suzanne Bianco has been with Visit Visalia for 7 years and serves as the city’s tourism marketing director. She loves a good road…
Walt Disney World in Florida reopened to the public in mid-2020, although with a lot of changes in place to ensure the health and safety of guests. This week I’m chatting with friend of the podcast Patrick Kozicky about his recent travel experience in Walt Disney World. We also chat about the reopening of Disneyland and what the future of the Disney Parks looks like. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. About Patrick Patrick Kozicky lives in Minneapolis, MN. He is an Ensemble Member with…
Long known for its award-winning immersive Colonial-era experiences, Williamsburg is about so much more than tricorn hats. It’s actually been that way for quite a long time, but curious visitors have finally caught on to what had been largely known only to locals. At the heart of that experience for me personally will always be the luxurious getaway, the Kingsmill Resort. Why is it so spectacular? For these reasons and so many more. Location Located in Virginia’s Tidewater region in the southeast part of the state, Williamsburg’s popularity throughout the years has in large part been bolstered by its convenient…
Learn everything you need to know about planning a trip in 2021 and use this feature on the Kingsmill Resort as inspiration! You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Deals and Tips As people become more comfortable leaving their homes and embarking on responsible and modest trips, travel deals are also starting to return. Knowing how to find those deals and even where to go in 2020 is a challenge, which is why I’m thrilled that one of the industry’s leading experts joined us to share…
Around the country there are some destinations so well rounded in their appeal that almost everyone has them on their travel bucket lists. After a quick and very informal survey of friends and family, I have a hunch that Savannah is one of those unicorn cities; I know it was for me. One of the problems in planning a visit though is knowing where to start – there’s just much to see and do. Towards that, today I want to share a few experiences that I enjoyed the most. These are not meant to represent the top tourist activities although…
Atlanta is one of those cities that can be hard to define. As a symbol of the so-called New South, it’s been an economic hub for decades with people from around the world moving to the city, sharing their own unique backgrounds in the process. It’s also a city though that keeps its long and complicated history front of mind, whether it’s in the form of grand old homes or museums dedicated to interpreting that past. These complex urban personality traits are also represented in Atlanta’s food culture, an aspect of life so expansive and complicated books can (and have)…
This week we highlight some of the world’s oldest, strangest and downright weird shopping experiences around the world. From a bazaar in Central Asia to a little known vault in London, this week Weird Travel tackles shopping when we travel. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Weird Travel is a podcast within a podcast and my effort to chronicle and share some of travel’s fun mysteries and odd places. Helping me on this journey of discovery is Patrick Kozicky, a fellow podcaster and good friend.…
One of the great foodie cities of the country, I knew finding some delicious bites wouldn’t be the problem on my recent visit to Savannah, but how to narrow it down for what was really a brief visit. Centuries of multiculturalism have come together to create a truly unique cuisine but one that somehow also instantly feels familiar and even homey. There’s a lot to love about the Savannah, Georgia food scene but these were my own favorite and even unexpected culinary moments. Savannah Food Tour My favorite way to first experience any new city is on a food tour,…
This week we take a closer look at everything there is to see, do and eat in the beautiful cities of Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia. Georgia is one of my favorite easy getaway locations thanks to how much there is to experience both in rural settings as well as the state’s great cities. This week we prepare you for a fun and safe visit to two of the state’s best destinations. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. This Week’s Guests Lindsey Raimondi Lindsey is the…
There exists in the travel context an unofficial expiration date to how well we know certain places. Cities are living beings, they are dynamic and constantly in flux, which means that an absence of several years yields an urban destination that has remade itself in any number of ways. That’s the attitude with which I went into my recent trip to Atlanta. Yes, it is true I had visited before but so many years had past that I felt a total reintroduction was in order, from the most basic of tourist sites to some that go a bit beyond that…
This week on the podcast Patrick and Matt explore some of the world’s most bizarre natural wonders. From giant rocks to glowing caves and even mysterious fairy circles, the world is full of many strange natural phenomenon well worth a visit. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Weird Travel is a podcast within a podcast and my effort to chronicle and share some of travel’s fun mysteries and odd places. Helping me on this journey of discovery is Patrick Kozicky, a fellow podcaster and good…
Now more than ever it’s important to travel mindfully, so this week an expert shares everything the average traveler should know about yoga and Reiki. Whether you love yoga or have never tried it, the techniques behind it can make any trip more enjoyable and relaxed. Reiki isn’t well understood, but like yoga the mindfulness techniques at its base are important for every traveler to learn. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Dana A. Smith is the founder and owner of Spiritual Essence Yoga and…
Staying onsite at Walt Disney World is always a personal treat, but there are of course certain resorts that I enjoy more than others and my absolute favorite so far is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. I’ve long been a fan of the WPA-style National Park aesthetic, which is what the Lodge captures so expertly. Aside from the outside appearance though there are many reasons to choose Copper Creek Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, including these most important factors. Copper Creek Villas Ambiance and Amenities In my opinion there are few better Disney World moments than one’s first entrance into the main…
I’m proud to say that America started the modern conservation movement in the 19th century when it created the first National Park. Since then we have added many more parks, national monuments and sites forming a vast web of areas so important, that we have deemed they must be forever protected. The so-called North American model of conservation is now the norm around the world, but to really appreciate its importance a visit to a few American parks is in order. They’re also the perfect COVID-era trip since socially distanced is the preferred way of experiencing the parks. I’m not…
Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort reopened in July 2020 following months of mandated and necessary shutdown due to the pandemic. When it reopened though it was cautiously and with a great deal of thought as new rules and practices were put into place to ensure the health and safety of cast members and guests alike. Since reopening I’ve visited a few times, the reason for which I’ll detail later in this post, and so I think I can speak from a certain position of authority when it comes to tips and best practices for visiting Walt Disney World in 2021.…
This week Patrick and Matt share the bizarre histories of their favorite odd tourist sites and museums around the world. Ever wonder why certain tourist sites or museums even exist in the first place? Patrick and Matt often have these thoughts and this week they chat about some of their favorite weird attractions. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Weird Travel is a podcast within a podcast and my effort to chronicle and share some of travel’s fun mysteries and odd places. Helping me on…
I’ve had the great opportunity to take quite a few river cruises over the years, mostly in Europe traveling along rivers in Hungary, Austria, and France to name a few. With these experiences under my belt, I thought I knew what to expect before joining Viking River Cruises on a cruise along Portugal’s Douro River. I did not. No, due to the peculiarities of the river and the very special destination that is Portugal, a river cruise experience on the Douro is a singular event, totally unlike its cousins across the continent. While every day was honestly a lot of…
Walt Disney World in Florida reopened to the public in mid-2020, although with a lot of changes in place to ensure the health and safety of guests. This week I’m chatting with the folks from The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World to provide the latest updates, tips and insider information to help plan your trip to either Walt Disney World or Disneyland in California. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Three years ago I had never been to a Disney property and only had…
A few weeks ago I was approached by the fine folks at the Helsinki Freedom campaign to work with them on a project to promote Helsinki and to focus specifically on freedom as a topic. I jumped at the opportunity mostly because my one and only visit to Finland a few years ago was so much fun and so impactful that I was excited to once again write about one of the happiest spots on the planet. More than just write about things to see and do, I love the freedom topic because it’s at the heart of life in…
Bing Fraser, the author of “Unprotected Treks” joins us to share some of his hilarious travel tales. Not all trips end well and for Bing terrible luck seems to follow him around. On this episode we learn more about Bing and his bizarrely funny travel stories. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. About Bing Fraser Bing Fraser is an expert in how not to travel the world. His 8 years of roaming the world have seen him arrested, held at gunpoint, lose his teeth, suffer…
My most recent trip to Walt Disney World in Florida luckily coincided with the start of the latest EPCOT celebration, Festival of the Arts. These all-encompassing events have thankfully become the norm in EPCOT, and while they share some similarities they are thankfully each very unique. For many though Festival of the Arts is a favorite as it combines amazing food with incredible works of art in all forms creating a fun day (or days) out and about exploring EPCOT. The Taste of EPCOT International Festival of the Arts runs through February 22, 2021 and offers not only great canvases,…
This week we explore North Carolina’s legendary Pinehurst Resort and learn more about the Historic Hotels of America. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Pinehurst Resort was founded by Boston soda fountain magnate James Walker Tufts in 1895 and the first golf course opened shortly thereafter. Almost immediately the resort and area became one of the world’s great golf meccas, a reputation that persists to this day. Along with popularity came the need for hotel space, which is why construction on the Carolina Hotel also…
Dear World, As I sat down this morning to write I had in mind a pithy post about self-discovery in 2021. It wouldn’t have been a bad post, but I just didn’t want to write it. No, instead I wanted something without headers and subheads and all that blogging nonsense and instead just speak to you from the heart. 2020 just about broke me. Even before the pandemic, it wasn’t off to a great start to be honest and I found myself self-destructing in what has been a familiar cycle in my life. Then the pandemic hit and everything got…
There are certain spots around the country where I really should have already visited at this stage in my life. I think we’re all like that though, and when we reflect on them it seems a little strange that we haven’t already paid them a visit. For whatever reason, we know that we’ll enjoy the experience but usually it just comes down to a question of time and opportunity. Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina was one such spot for me but, luckily, I recently had the opportunity to finally spend a long weekend exploring this historic and remarkable part of…
More often than not, I tend to find myself exploring some of the world’s coldest regions in the midst of their most extreme weather. Rather than avoid these remarkable places, I embrace the opportunity to explore them at what I think is the best time of year, when it’s cold outside. There’s a certain grace and beauty that can only be found when it’s chilly, and that’s especially true in these cold weather destinations I think everyone should explore. While it may not be possible for everyone to travel to most amazing destinations this year, these are spots to definitely…
Weird Travel is back and this week Patrick and Matt chat all about the Bermuda Triangle. Is the so-called “Devil’s Triangle” really something to be feared or all hype? Learn about that and what makes Bermuda so special on this week’s episode. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Weird Travel is a podcast within a podcast and my effort to chronicle and share some of travel’s fun mysteries and odd places. Helping me on this journey of discovery is Patrick Kozicky, a fellow podcaster and…
TwitterFacebookPinterestLinkedInEmail For someone whose job is to share the travel experience, this has very much been a lost year, but instead of mourning it I want to use it as an opportunity to look ahead and think of the places around the world I very sincerely hope to revisit in 2021. Should it be safe to do so, I’d love to return to some of my favorite spots around the world to help heal the wounds of 2020 and to remind myself that yes, the world is indeed full of kind people who are excited to share the many stories…
I’m not going to say it, I’m not. I’m bored with saying that this year has been: challenging, terrible, rough – name your adjective. But, I think we all know 2020 has been a jerk in almost every way. December is usually my favorite time of year to travel because I normally visit spots where I can celebrate the Christmas season and really get into the spirit of things. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also usually low season in many parts of the world, adding modest crowds and lower prices to the reasons why I always early look forward to…
This week we’re talking about the latest news and trends in the travel world, from health and safety to reopenings/closings and much, much more. Eric Bowman, Managing Editor of TravelPulse.com, joins us to chat about what’s new in travel and how to best plan your next adventure. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. There have been many new developments in the world of travel lately, so to help you better understand what it all means travel expert Eric Bowman joins the program to share his…
In July, Walt Disney World in Florida reopened after several months of COVID-related shutdown. When it did finally reopen it wasn’t without a fair amount of controversy, even in spite of the many changes and precautions the company took in order to ensure the safety and well being of its guests. I decided not to visit during those first few weeks of reopening, but I did fly down in August and again just a couple of weeks ago. My goals were simple, to see what changes had been put into place, how guests were reacting to them and whether or…
The following post is sponsored by National Car Rental. All thoughts and oddly constructed sentences though are entirely my own. In a normal year I would use the waning weeks of 2020 to reflect on my travels and start planning new ones for 2021. This of course is not a normal year, but the good news is that some limited and responsible travel has been possible. We have had to rethink what travel means, whether it be for business or leisure. For me, I prefer to still fly to a new destination, pick up my rental car and start exploring.…
In this special Weird Travel episode, Patrick and Matt chat about dark tourism sites around the world that are well worth a visit. Dark tourism is traveling to sites with a grim background, but they’re not always depressing; in fact many are important places to visit. In this episode learn all about Civil War battle sites, Titanic museums, cemetery tourism and so much more. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Weird Travel is a podcast within a podcast and my effort to chronicle and share…
This week we’re taking a quick tour around Australia sharing the best things to see, do and eat in the Land Down Under. Australia is a shockingly large country that is worthy of many podcast episodes, but this week we’re sharing a quick primer to help you start planning the ultimate Australian adventure. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. Travel is a funny thing. Sometimes we connect with foreign lands so profoundly that we ache for them even years later. I’ve been fortunate enough to…
This week Ryan from the Caribbean Castaways joins the show to share everything you need to know about traveling to the Caribbean. In these strange times, the Caribbean is the most open to international visitors but even before COVID the region was a popular vacation hotspot. This week Caribbean travel expert Ryan Van Denabeele shares incredible tips to help you plan your dream Caribbean getaway. You can listen to the podcast here on this page or on any of these services: iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, Stitcher. This Week’s Guest Ryan and Crystal Van Denabeele (RumShopRyan and Castaway Crystal) have what…