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.
Is Balicasag Worth Visiting?
If you’re wondering is Balicasag worth visiting, the answer is yes for most first-time visitors. It offers some of Bohol’s best snorkelling and marine life, but it also requires a significant time commitment and depends heavily on weather and sea conditions. Many articles describe Balicasag as a “must-visit” attraction without explaining who it is actually right for. The better question is not whether Balicasag is beautiful. It is whether it deserves one of your limited days in Bohol. Why Balicasag divides opinion Balicasag is one of Bohol’s best-known attractions, yet
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.
How Gargano Puglia Weather Changes Beach Days
Gargano Puglia weather influences far more than the temperature on your holiday. While many visitors focus on sunshine forecasts, it’s usually the wind and sea conditions that have the biggest
Setúbal and Palmela: The Comporta Coast’s Inland Counterpart
Setúbal and Palmela sit north of the Sado estuary, separated from the Comporta coast by the river crossing at Tróia. Most visitors heading south drive past both without stopping. That
Vila do Conde: What This Atlantic Town Actually Feels Like
Vila do Conde is a working Atlantic town north of Porto with a monastery, a Roman aqueduct, a fishing harbour, and a long beach. It takes about twenty minutes of
Hiking the Mani Peninsula: Stone Paths and Silent Gorges
Hiking the Mani Peninsula means following ancient stone paths through deep gorges, remote mountain villages and wild coastal landscapes where history, solitude and dramatic scenery combine to create some of
Is Tulum Too Expensive?
Tulum is one of the more expensive destinations in Mexico’s Riviera Maya, but is Tulum too expensive? That depends on how you travel, where you stay and what you expect
Milos Beach, Lefkada: The Hike That Earns Its Views
Why the Walk Is Part of the Experience Most beaches on Lefkada’s western coast are either reached by car or by a staircase bolted into a cliff. Milos sits behind
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
