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.
Best Time to Visit Paxos: When Should You Go?
Best time to visit Paxos? Late May, June and September offer the strongest balance of warm weather, swimmable seas and fewer crowds than peak summer. You still get beach days and lively harbour evenings, but exploring is easier than in the hottest weeks. The island also feels less pressured than it can in July and August. July and August felt like a different version of Paxos: hotter days, busier harbours and more competition for the popular beaches. If I wanted maximum summer energy, I would choose them. If I wanted
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.
October on the Rías Baixas Coast: What It Feels Like
October on the Rías Baixas is a good time to visit if quieter roads and harbour towns matter more than guaranteed beach weather. Cíes Islands sailings can still operate on
Where to Stay in East Crete
East Crete works best as a road trip rather than a holiday based in one resort. Agios Nikolaos is the easiest all-round starting point, but I found the region too
Is Holbox Expensive? What Does a Trip Really Cost?
Is Holbox expensive? Compared with much of mainland Mexico, yes, that was the conclusion I came to. What changed my view was realising that Holbox did not become expensive because
Almoçageme for First-Time Visitors
I think Almoçageme is worth a stop if, like me, you want to see a more everyday side of the Sintra coast. It is small and shaped far more by
Best Time to Visit Holbox: When Should You Go?
The best time to visit Holbox depends on what you actually want the island to give you. If we went back mainly for long beach days, I would choose January
Best Time to Visit Paxos: When Should You Go?
Best time to visit Paxos? Late May, June and September offer the strongest balance of warm weather, swimmable seas and fewer crowds than peak summer. You still get beach days
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
