Matthew Greenberg
Born and raised in Chicago, I've now lived in South America for over a decade and love being able to call Peru home. Based in the capital, Lima, I oversee the expert travel planning team at Good Life Expeditions, which specializes in transformational travel that gives back. We run on a social business model, and profits from all trips go to fund projects in healthcare and community development in the destinations where we plan trips through our founding non-profit, MEDLIFE.
I get real enjoyment out of sharing my own first-hand travel experiences with similarly responsible travelers. It’s great fun introducing people to activities and regions they didn’t know about before they started the planning process with me, and helping travelers get under the skin of Peru, Ecuador, and Tanzania – immersing them in the local cultures and off the beaten path destinations. Knowing that each of those trips will directly benefit the destinations visited and people met along the way is especially rewarding.
In my spare time you'll find me wandering the local cafes in Lima, offering travel advice to anyone and everyone who wants it, working on my yoga practice or playing basketball. I was also born with a great love of Boston sports and from afar still cheer on my beloved Red Sox and Celtics with great pride!
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"I specialize in responsible, transformational travel to Peru, Ecuador, and Tanzania. I’ve traveled across South America and the entire length and breadth of Peru, taking in all the must-see destinations as well as many little-known towns and villages along the way. Being based here means I am continually traveling around the region, and our local staff in all our destinations gives us an expert edge. This makes it easy for me to offer honest, first-hand insight based on my own travel experiences and share the latest insider intel on the best things to do and places to stay. We know these destinations like our own home – because they are! "
How did you get involved in travel?
"Childhood admiration for National Geographic was further fueled by traveling on family vacations, from Europe to Mexico and the spark that led me to complete a degree in Creative Writing. However, teaching abroad in Costa Rica in my early twenties and traveling that country changed my life: it opened up new possibilities and a new outlook on life. Shortly after, I ventured to South America where I continued to explore new cultures, become fluent in Spanish and eventually settle in Peru where I made my first foray into the fun world of travel planning."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"There have been so many! But being woken up to the sound of exotic birdsong in the heart of Peru’s Amazon at a remote jungle lodge must be one of the most memorable experiences I’ve had. That feeling of isolation, of disconnecting from all the trappings of the modern world, and truly switching off to just enjoy nature at its best was a special moment. And I think unique travel experiences are just like that – the big bucket-list destinations might inspire you to travel to a place, but the small moments, the details, the unexpected encounters can stick with you just as long. "
Matthew's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
This classic route through Peru introduces you to the country's top attractions for an immersive experience in seven days. See the contrast between old and new Lima, visit...
From the flavors of Lima’s food scene, to the colors of the Sacred Valley’s handwoven textiles, to the sounds of the Amazon’s many residents, this expedition will take you...
In seven days, it's easy to combine Machu Picchu with day trips within the Sacred Valley or with a visit to another region like the Amazon Rainforest or Lake Titicaca. Trekkers...