This Month's Guide
Updated every month, we handpick one of our most-read guides and place it at the forefront of the site for all our readers to enjoy.
How Many Days for the Places Around Sintra?
How many days in Sintra depends on what you want from the trip. One day covers the highlights. Two days covers them properly. Three days in Sintra or more starts to reveal the region rather than just the attractions and the many places around Sintra. Why the Question Matters Before You Plan Most visitors arriving in Sintra underestimate how long the region takes. The historic centre of Sintra is compact, but the attractions of Sintra are not. Pena Palace and the Moorish Castle sit high above town. Quinta da Regaleira
Explore Guides by Region
Discover some of Ian’s favourite regions, with plenty of insider knowledge, practical advice and travel inspiration.
Discover the best of Spain, from lively cities and historic landmarks to beautiful beaches, traditional towns and authentic Spanish culture.
Discover Portugal through practical travel guides covering vibrant cities, coastal escapes, local food and some of the country’s best places to visit.
Explore Greece travel guides, from historic cities and beautiful islands to traditional villages, beaches and unforgettable places to visit.
Explore France with travel guides covering iconic cities, charming towns, beautiful countryside, coastal destinations and memorable local experiences.
Soft Footprints
So, what are you waiting for? Join me on this incredible journey, and let's discover the world together, one Soft Footprint at a time.
Ian's Most Recent Travel Guides
Explore six of Ian’s latest travel guides in one place. These feature destinations he has recently visited, along with newly updated guides from previous trips.
What Are The Best Things To Do In Paxos?
Paxos is the kind of place where the best experiences tend to find you rather than the other way around. Unlike larger Greek islands packed with major attractions and endless
Is Vila do Conde Worth Visiting? An Honest Assessment
What Vila do Conde Actually Is Vila do Conde sits at the mouth of the River Ave, around 30 kilometres north of Porto. It is a small coastal city with
Beaches Near Vai Beach
Beaches near Vai Beach are better understood as a small group of very different stops rather than one single beach destination. This catches people out. Visitors often drive up expecting
Korčula Town in a Morning, Islands in the Afternoon
The walled town is built on a narrow peninsula, and that shape determines everything. One main street runs from the land gate to the sea gate. Short lateral lanes drop
Fly or Ferry to Bohol?
If you’re deciding whether to fly or ferry to Bohol, flying is usually the best option for first-time visitors because it’s quicker and simpler. The ferry becomes the better choice
Alcácer do Sal: The Inland Town Comporta Forgets
Alcácer do Sal sits thirty kilometres east of Comporta on the Sado river, a Moorish hilltop town with a castle, salt history, and storks that most coast visitors never reach.
Unsure Where to Next? Start With a Series
Deciding where to visit next? Explore the destinations Ian has written about most extensively, with guides covering almost every aspect of your trip.
Series 1: Everything you need to know about Paxos
Series 2: The full guide of Comporta
Series 3: Discover the hidden gems in Korcula
The Person Behind the Path
All Guides Are Written by Ian Howes
Ian Howes is a travel writer and the founder of Soft Footprints, a publication focused on lesser-known destinations, local culture, and experiences that most travelers overlook. His approach centers on slow, intentional travel and first-hand research, shaped by time spent exploring regions beyond mainstream tourism routes.
Ian’s interest in meaningful travel began after a formative stay on a small Greek island, which reshaped how he engages with destinations and local communities. Since then, he has built extensive on-the-ground experience across diverse regions, with a focus on local traditions, overlooked landscapes, and sustainable travel practices.
Through Soft Footprints, Ian provides practical, experience-based guidance for travelers seeking authentic, off-the-tourist-path journeys. His work emphasizes accuracy, cultural respect, and responsible exploration, helping readers develop a deeper understanding of the places they visit.
Leave nothing but soft footprints
