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Why This Small City Keeps Being Ranked One of the Most Livable Places in the World

Why This Small City Keeps Being Ranked One of the Most Livable Places in the World

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 24, 2026

Dubuque, Iowa, keeps landing on lists that rate how easy a place is to live, even though it is far from the usual global hot spots. Many rankings weigh cost, safety, health care access, commute time, and how well city services run. In Dubuque, rent and home prices...
Why Seasoned Travelers Are Switching From Carry-Ons to Backpacks

Why Seasoned Travelers Are Switching From Carry-Ons to Backpacks

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 24, 2026

Frequent flyers are replacing rolling carry-ons with backpacks because airports have become tighter and less forgiving. Overhead bins fill early on many routes, gate agents measure bags more often, and a hard case cannot bend when space runs out. Backpacks can...
15 Scenic Bars Around the World With Views That Stop Conversations Cold

15 Scenic Bars Around the World With Views That Stop Conversations Cold

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 24, 2026

A scenic bar becomes memorable when the surroundings take priority over the glass in hand. People pause, scan the horizon, and forget the sentence they started. That reaction is what this piece tracks. Each pick is a long-running venue with a clear identity and a view...
10 Destinations Where Rare Plant Life Still Thrives Against the Odds

10 Destinations Where Rare Plant Life Still Thrives Against the Odds

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 24, 2026

Some places on Earth protect plant species that exist nowhere else, surviving extreme climates, isolation, or human pressure. These landscapes are not just beautiful, they are living laboratories where nature continues to adapt and endure. From remote islands to harsh...
11 Uncanny Places Where the World’s Rarest Flowers Still Bloom

11 Uncanny Places Where the World’s Rarest Flowers Still Bloom

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 24, 2026

Some flowers exist only in the most unusual corners of the world, blooming where conditions seem almost impossible for life. These uncanny locations host flora that are rare, endemic, and often invisible to casual travelers. Extreme climates, isolation, or fragile...
10 Dangerous Wildlife Hotspots Where You Can Spot Extremely Rare Birds

10 Dangerous Wildlife Hotspots Where You Can Spot Extremely Rare Birds

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 24, 2026

Rare birds often thrive in habitats as breathtaking as they are challenging. These dangerous wildlife hotspots demand careful planning, courage, and sometimes expert guides, as conditions can be harsh and unpredictable. From dense jungles to storm-lashed coasts and...
What Travelers Should Know About 2026 Safety Advisories When Heading South

What Travelers Should Know About 2026 Safety Advisories When Heading South

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 23, 2026

Planning a southbound trip in 2026 starts with the U.S. State Department advisory page for each stop, since every destination is graded from Level 1 to Level 4, and the reasons are spelled out for U.S. citizens. Levels 1 and 2 are reviewed every 12 months, while...
9 Central European Festivals That Still Fiercely Protect Old Traditions

9 Central European Festivals That Still Fiercely Protect Old Traditions

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 23, 2026

Across Central Europe, festivals are not casual celebrations but carefully preserved cultural rituals. Many communities treat these events as living history, protecting customs, clothing, music, and ceremonial roles passed down over centuries without compromise. These...
10 Cities Drawing 40-Something Movers in 2026 According to Housing Trends

10 Cities Drawing 40-Something Movers in 2026 According to Housing Trends

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 23, 2026

Housing decisions for many people in their forties in 2026 are being guided by mortgage rates, insurance costs, taxes, and resale risk. Moves are often tied to career stability, caregiving needs, and the desire for neighborhoods with reliable services. Recent housing...
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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.

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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

  • 5 Vacation Habits That Make Travelers Look Unprepared Before They Even Unpack
  • 5 Hotel Check-In Questions Guests Forget Until They’re Already Annoyed
  • 5 Airports Travelers Keep Coming Back To Because They Simplify the Journey
  • A Rare Free Coach Perk Is Disappearing From U.S. Flights
  • 5 Hotel Habits That Make Travelers Seem Unprepared
  • 5 Train Stations Travelers Rush Through Without Spotting the Best Part
  • 5 Beautiful Train Rides That Slip Past Tiny Towns Most Travelers Never See

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