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
10 Sunny South American Destinations That Stay Warm All Year

10 Sunny South American Destinations That Stay Warm All Year

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 11, 2026

Sun-seeking travelers often assume all of South America stays hot, yet large areas cool sharply in winter or at night. These ten destinations were chosen because long-term climate normals show warm average highs in every month, with only small dips. They are mostly...
Why Some Airlines Are Losing Traveler Trust Going Into 2026

Why Some Airlines Are Losing Traveler Trust Going Into 2026

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 11, 2026

As 2026 approaches, airline trust is being driven less by slogans and more by what travelers experience at checkout and during disruptions. Refund delays, shifting schedules, and add-on charges have pushed many passengers to judge carriers on reliability and fairness...
How Recent U.S. Moves in Venezuela Could Affect International Travel

How Recent U.S. Moves in Venezuela Could Affect International Travel

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

Recent U.S. moves tied to Venezuela have reached travel systems that serve the wider Caribbean and northern South America. In early January 2026, U.S. military action in Venezuela was followed by an FAA notice to air missions that barred U.S.-registered aircraft from...
Why La Paz Stands Out for Its Colorful Hillsides in South America

Why La Paz Stands Out for Its Colorful Hillsides in South America

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

La Paz is built inside a steep Andean bowl where the Choqueyapu River cuts a deep channel, so neighborhoods climb upward instead of spreading flat. From downtown streets, you look across at entire slopes, and hundreds of outer walls face the valley like stacked tiles....
7 Destinations Where Medical Care Can Be Hard for Travelers

7 Destinations Where Medical Care Can Be Hard for Travelers

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

Medical care is easy to assume until something goes wrong, far from a strong hospital network. These destinations were chosen because official travel health guidance warns that advanced treatment is scarce, often concentrated in one city, and that evacuation may be...
8 Cities Known for Gritty Street Culture That Surprises Visitors

8 Cities Known for Gritty Street Culture That Surprises Visitors

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

Street culture can feel most real where it is not packaged for tourists. In the cities below, walls, sidewalks, markets, and parades carry local debates, memory, and pride in plain sight. A first visit can be jolting because the energy is louder and closer than...
10 Rustic Villages That Have Become Low Key Luxury Retreats

10 Rustic Villages That Have Become Low Key Luxury Retreats

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

Rustic villages often evoke images of cobblestone streets, traditional houses, and a slower pace of life. Over the past decade, some of these villages have quietly evolved into low-key luxury retreats. Travelers seeking privacy, charm, and curated experiences now find...
10 U.S. Towns Struggling With Transient Populations and Housing Pressure

10 U.S. Towns Struggling With Transient Populations and Housing Pressure

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

Transient populations can strain housing when visitors, seasonal workers, and second-home owners compete with residents for the same limited units. In many resort and gateway towns, rentals are pulled into short-term markets, while wages stay closer to regional...
12 Asian Desert Destinations With Dramatic Dunes and Stargazing Skies

12 Asian Desert Destinations With Dramatic Dunes and Stargazing Skies

by Elias Siegelman | Jan 10, 2026

Asia’s great sand seas reward travelers who plan for both daylight and darkness. Big dune fields deliver steep ridgelines for sunrise walks, while remote camps reveal constellations with little glare. This guide highlights deserts that are firmly in Asia and widely...
« 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