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 Do You Need in Rías Baixas?
Rías Baixas is not the kind of coastline that works best when you rush through it ticking off landmarks. The region spreads across several estuaries, ferry routes, beach areas, fishing towns, and inland viewpoints, and a lot of the experience comes from how the days unfold rather than from seeing one major attraction after another. How many days you need depends mostly on two things. First, whether you want to move around or stay in one base. Second, whether you want your trip to include the islands properly. The ferry
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.
Vila do Conde in Winter: Quiet Coast, Resident Life
Vila do Conde in winter is a working Atlantic town running at its own pace, without the summer visitor layer on top of it. The beach is open, the historic
Cycling Out of Vila do Conde into Vinho Verde Country
Leaving town along the Ave The Ave runs dark past the old shipyard at this hour. The cranes stand where they have always stood. Coffee and a pastel de nata
Using Vigo as a Base for the Southern Galicia Coast
Vigo works well as a base because it sits in the middle of several completely different types of day trip along the southern Galicia coast. One morning can involve ferries
Ragusa Ibla at Night: Quiet Streets and Baroque Views
Ragusa Ibla at night is quieter, cooler, and easier to move through than during the day. The Baroque architecture reads differently after dark. The daytime version of Ibla belongs to
Balos Lagoon: Finding the Best Route for the Experience
Getting to Balos lagoon takes effort regardless of how you do it. That effort is part of the point. The turquoise lagoon does not sit beside a main road, and
Are the Tulum Ruins Worth Visiting?
Are the Tulum Ruins worth visiting? For most travellers, yes. While they aren’t the largest or most impressive Mayan archaeological site in Mexico, their spectacular clifftop setting overlooking the Caribbean
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
