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.
Alcácer do Sal: The Inland Town Comporta Forgets
Alcácer do Sal offers a completely different perspective on the Comporta region. While most visitors head west towards the Atlantic, this historic riverside town lies thirty kilometres inland, where a castle, the River Sado and three thousand years of history replace beaches and dunes. The drive from Comporta takes around thirty minutes through rice fields and the Sado floodplain before the hilltop town comes into view. For anyone exploring beyond the coast, Alcácer do Sal provides the historical depth that perfectly complements the landscapes of the Comporta Coast. 🌉 The
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.
One Day in Chania: How Much Can You Really See?
One day in Chania is enough to understand why the city is one of Crete’s most popular destinations, but it isn’t enough to experience everything. With a realistic plan, you
Agios Nikitas: The Fishing Village Lefkada Almost Kept Secret
Agios Nikitas is the only traditional west coast village on Lefkada built directly beside the sea. With its pedestrian-only centre, sheltered beach and easy access to Mylos Beach, it offers
Guide to the Mani Peninsula: Untouched Greece
A guide to the Mani Peninsula reveals one of mainland Greece’s most distinctive regions, where fortified stone villages, dramatic coastlines, Byzantine churches and centuries of history combine to create a
The Comporta Coast: Seven Villages, One Landscape
The Comporta Coast stretches for around sixty kilometres between the Sado Estuary and Melides, yet it feels less like a collection of individual destinations than one connected landscape shaped by
Swimming in Korčula Town: Where to Get in the Water
Swimming in Korčula Town works differently from a typical beach day. There is no single beach to aim for. Instead, follow the rocky shoreline and choose from limestone platforms, jetties
Is Penedo Worth the Detour?
Penedo is worth the detour for some visitors, but it is not a place everyone needs to include. This small hilltop village offers views, quiet streets and a very different
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
