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.
Holbox or Isla Mujeres: Which Island Is Better for You?
Holbox or Isla Mujeres looked like a fairly simple Caribbean-island choice until I started thinking about what actually mattered once we were on the ground. The photographs pushed me towards beaches and turquoise water. The practical differences ended up being more important: how much effort it took to arrive, whether I wanted to swim or wade, how often we wanted something to do, and how much inconvenience I was prepared to accept for a quieter atmosphere. That is why my choice changes with the trip. For a short stay from
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.
Visiting the Cíes Islands From Vigo
Visiting the Cíes Islands works best as a full-day trip from Vigo, despite the ferry taking only around 40 minutes. The short crossing made the islands look simple on paper;
Visiting the Mani Peninsula: How Much Time Do You Really Need?
Visiting the Mani Peninsula deserves more than a quick stop. I would allow at least two nights, and preferably three days, if you want enough time for the villages, coastline
Aberta Nova Beach: Comporta’s Wildest Atlantic Beach
Aberta Nova beach suited us when we wanted a quieter, less developed stretch of the Alentejo coast. South of Carvalhal, we found a broad Atlantic shoreline backed by high dunes
Comporta Rice Fields: How the Landscape Changes by Season
The Comporta rice fields became far more than a scenic backdrop for us. We found a vast working landscape that changed with the farming cycle, from reflective flooded paddies to
Visit Cabo da Roca: What Is the Best Time?
I would choose the best time to visit Cabo da Roca by the weather first and the clock second. Early morning can bring quieter viewpoints, but coastal fog is a
Vasiliki Lefkada: A Southern Bay with a Character All Its Own
Vasiliki Lefkada is best known for windsurfing, a working harbour and its useful position for exploring the island’s southern and west-coast beaches. The sheltered horseshoe bay is often calm in
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
