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.
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 and island crossings. The next becomes a coastal drive toward Baiona or A Guarda. Another day might unfold through beach stops, seafood lunches, and short harbour walks without covering much ground at all. The city itself feels busy, steep, and functional rather than conventionally beautiful in every district, but that practicality becomes valuable once you begin travelling regularly around 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.
Ragusa Uncovered: History, Food, and Sicilian Innovation
Ragusa rewards more than a passing visit. The history behind the divided city, the local food, and the baroque streets all repay proper time. The road drops toward Ragusa through
Agios Nikitas: The Fishing Village Lefkada Almost Kept Secret
Agios Nikitas is a small village on the west coast of Lefkada, about 12 kilometres from Lefkada Town, built directly beside the sea in a way no other west coast
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
Myrtos, Makry Gialos and the South Coast of East Crete
The south coast of East Crete works very differently from the north. Roads are quieter, towns are smaller, and tourism feels spread thin rather than concentrated. You do not get
Walking Down Into Ragusa Ibla: Steps, Alleys, and Piazzas
Walking down into Ragusa Ibla via Via Scale takes fifteen minutes and makes the city’s split between upper and lower town immediately legible. Most visitors arrive in Ragusa Superiore first.
The Mani Peninsula in Autumn: Empty Roads, & the Return of Rain
Autumn in the Mani Peninsula means the crowds have gone, the sea is still warm, and the olive harvest is running. What changes between October and November is how much
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
