Backroad Planet Website Header Logo
  • HOME
  • ABOUT
    • Meet the Team
    • Howard’s TravMedia Digital Profile
    • Contact Howard
    • Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    • Notable Brand Partners
  • BACKROAD BLOG
  • ROAD TRIPS
  • CRUISES
  • DESTINATIONS
What Staying Inside Disney World Hotels Is Really Like for First-Time Visitors

What Staying Inside Disney World Hotels Is Really Like for First-Time Visitors

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 23, 2026

First-time guests often picture a Disney hotel as only a bed near the parks, but the stay starts shaping the trip the moment the car turns off the main road. Clear signs direct drivers to the right loop, cast members point out parking, and bags are tagged and moved...
10 Places Where Public Executions Still Shock Travelers Today

10 Places Where Public Executions Still Shock Travelers Today

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 23, 2026

Public executions continue in a handful of countries, drawing both shock and fascination from travelers. These events are often deeply rooted in local law, tradition, or social norms. Unlike historical spectacles or media portrayals, witnessing such punishments today...
12 Vancouver Airbnbs Close to Nature Trails, Food Hotspots, and Cultural Sights

12 Vancouver Airbnbs Close to Nature Trails, Food Hotspots, and Cultural Sights

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

This guide lists 15 real Airbnb stays in Vancouver and nearby areas where three key needs align. Trail access should be close enough for a morning walk, food should be nearby for lunch or a late bite, and cultural stops should be reachable without a long transfer....
7 Religious Destinations Where Outsiders Face Uncomfortable Rules

7 Religious Destinations Where Outsiders Face Uncomfortable Rules

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

Some religious sites welcome visitors yet still impose firm limits on outsiders. Rules may hinge on gender, faith identity, membership, clothing, or where a person may stand and what they may do. The discomfort usually comes from sudden checks at gates, roads, or...
8 Ancient Local Customs Still Strictly Protected From Modern Influence

8 Ancient Local Customs Still Strictly Protected From Modern Influence

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

Some local customs remain protected because they are tied to survival, faith, or land rights. They are kept intact through permit systems, legal zones, and community enforcement, not by marketing. Modern influence is filtered so the core rules stay stable. Protection...
8 Party Destinations Seeing Crime Surge Faster Than Tourism Can Keep Up

8 Party Destinations Seeing Crime Surge Faster Than Tourism Can Keep Up

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

Nightlife trips are back at scale, and several party centers are receiving visitor volumes that outstrip routine patrol strength, investigative staffing, and court throughput, especially in peak seasons. Crowds concentrate in late hours around clubs, beach bars, and...
9 Cozy Small Towns With Dark Pasts Most Visitors Never Suspect

9 Cozy Small Towns With Dark Pasts Most Visitors Never Suspect

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

Cozy destinations can hide hard history. A place may feel safe, orderly, and friendly, yet earlier residents faced violence, fraud, or official abuse on the same streets. To keep this grounded, each town below is linked to a well-documented episode in archives,...
13 Tropical Getaways Expected to Be Shockingly Expensive This Year

13 Tropical Getaways Expected to Be Shockingly Expensive This Year

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

Tropical travel is costing more than many travelers budgeted for this year. Strong demand, tight hotel supply, and high airfares have lifted total trip bills. Extra local fees and resort charges are also showing up more often at checkout. This guide relies on travel...
7 Costly European Villages Where Life Still Feels Stuck in the Middle Ages

7 Costly European Villages Where Life Still Feels Stuck in the Middle Ages

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 22, 2026

Across Europe, some villages have resisted modern change more than others. Cobblestone streets, fortified walls, and centuries-old homes still shape daily life in these historic places. Their preservation comes at a price, making them some of the most expensive small...
« Older Entries
Next Entries »
Howard Driving

Welcome to Backroad Planet!

I’m Howard, a guy from Central Florida who believes taking scenic routes, scouting historical sites, and immersion in local flavor are the best ways to travel. Whether it be road trips across America, fly-drives to international destinations, or cruises on the mighty waters, I invite you to use Backroad Planet’s destination stories, travel guides, and planning resources to design your own adventures. Please contact me if I can assist you in any way.

Subscribe to Backroad Planet's On the Road newsletter.

* indicates required
Backroad Planet will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide email newsletters, updates, and marketing. By clicking the subscribe button, you agree that we may process your information in accordance with these terms. You can change your mind at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link in the footer of any email you receive from us, or by contacting us at backroadplanet@gmail.com. We will treat your information with respect. Please read our Privacy Policy for more information.

Howard

Howard Blount Backroad Planet

Howard is an avid roadtripper, cruiser, and rail-rider. He tends to overplan, always cramming too many activities and destinations in a single itinerary. On Backroad Planet, well, he pretty much does it all . . . .

Axle

Axle dachshund in car

Axle is Howard’s occasional road trip buddy. He loves to hop in the car and travel anywhere. Long trips and short trips are both great, as long as he doesn’t get left at home!

Latest Posts

Recent Posts

  • 7 countries that genuinely love tourists and are totally worth the trip
  • 6 overhyped travel destinations that often disappoint visitors
  • Top 6 US cities known for ultra-luxury living
  • 6 restaurants you can only get to by boat
  • The 8 unspoken rules of theme park etiquette that make or break your visit
  • The biggest cruise mistake that can ruin your vacation
  • 10 U.S. beaches where your phone signal disappears and relaxation takes over

Contact Us




    • Home
    • Disclosure/Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Cookie Policy
    • Subscribe
    Copyright © 2013 - 2026 | Backroad Planet
    • Follow
    • Follow
    • Follow