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.
White Mountains of Crete: Exploring the Peaks of Chania
White Mountains of Crete showed us a dramatically different side of the island from its beaches. We travelled from the olive-covered foothills behind Chania towards high limestone peaks, deep gorges and isolated villages, and found the journey into Crete’s rugged interior every bit as rewarding as the better-known coast. What surprised me was how little serious hiking was needed to experience that change. Within little more than an hour of leaving the coast, the roads narrowed, the settlements became smaller and the landscape felt completely removed from Chania. 🏔️ What
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.
Alcácer do Sal: The Inland Town Comporta Forgets
Alcácer do Sal is worth visiting from Comporta if you want a genuine change from beaches and dunes. Our drive inland took around thirty minutes. Yet the River Sado, castle
Ragusa Valley: The Best First View of the City
Ragusa valley is where the city’s unusual layout becomes easiest to understand. I would not think of it as one single attraction with a gate or entrance. Ragusa sits among
Best Things to Do in Paxos: What Should You See?
Best things to do in Paxos? I would build the trip around the coast rather than conventional sightseeing. Hire a boat, swim in secluded coves, explore Gaios, Lakka and Loggos,
Baroque Ragusa, Beaches & Modica Chocolate
Baroque Ragusa felt unusual because the 1693 earthquake did not produce one rebuilt city. Ragusa developed in two forms: Ibla retained the older hillside street pattern, while Superiore grew as
Peace and Quiet in the Mani Peninsula: Is It Really That Empty?
Mani Peninsula peace and quiet is real, but I would not describe the region as empty. What struck me was how quickly the noise and pressure I associate with more
Do You Need a Car in Kranjska Gora?
Do you need a car in Kranjska Gora? No, not if you stay centrally and mainly want to explore the village, Lake Jasna and nearby attractions. A car becomes 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
