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.
Do You Need a Car in Nassau?
Hiring a car is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make before arriving in Nassau. But do you need a car in Nassau? For some destinations, it’s essential. For Nassau, it usually isn’t. In fact, many visitors spend their entire holiday getting around on foot, using taxis and taking organised excursions without ever wishing they’d hired a car. That doesn’t mean a car is a bad idea. It simply depends on where you’re staying, what you want to see and how independently you like to travel. This guide will help
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 Many Days in Gargano Puglia Is Ideal?
🚗The Right Trip Length Depends on How You Like to Travel If you’re wondering how many days in Gargano Puglia is enough, the answer depends less on distance and more
The Diros Caves: What the Visit Is Actually Like
The Diros Caves combine a 1,200-metre underground boat journey with dramatic limestone chambers, cool temperatures and long summer waits, making early arrival essential. The road into this part of the
Is Penedo Worth the Detour?
Penedo is worth the detour for the right visitor. It is a small hilltop village in the Sintra hills that divides opinion, and understanding why tells you whether it belongs
Ragusa Valley: The Best First View of the City
The Ragusa valley is the best place to understand why the city developed in two distinct halves, revealing the relationship between Ragusa Superiore and Ibla before you even enter the
Lefkada in September: After the Peak Season
Lefkada in September combines warm sea temperatures with a noticeably more relaxed atmosphere than August. The beaches are quieter, almost every business is still open and travelling around the island
Beautiful Places Around Sintra
The beautiful places around Sintra are spread across mountains, forests, clifftop villages and winding coastal roads. Understanding how they fit together before you arrive changes how much you get from
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
