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.
East Crete Travel Guide
East Crete is not one single holiday zone. That is the first thing to understand when reading any East Crete Travel Guide or booking anywhere. This side of Crete stretches out into separate coastal pockets, with mountain roads, long dry inland sections, and towns that feel completely unrelated to each other once you are on the ground. You can land in Heraklion or Sitia, hire a car, and start moving east, but you should not expect the experience to feel like one continuous resort coast. It is a region of
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.
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
Is Rías Baixas Worth Visiting for a Coastal Spain Trip?
Rías Baixas suits people who like moving through a coastline rather than settling into one resort for a week, which is one reason many travellers consider Rías Baixas worth visiting.
Ragusa in December: Sun, Stairs, and Discoveries
Ragusa in December offers mild temperatures, empty streets, and a quieter version of the city that summer visitors never see. It is worth the trip. The tourist season ends and
Is Tulum the Best Base for Cenotes?
Is Tulum the best base for cenotes? Yes, for most first-time visitors it is. Tulum has one of the highest concentrations of cenotes in the Riviera Maya, with dozens located
Lefkada Island: The Greek Island You Can Drive Straight To
Lefkada island is the only Greek island you can reach by road from mainland Greece, connected by a causeway and swing bridge rather than a ferry. The Bridge That Isn’t
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
