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.
How Many Days in Kranjska Gora Do You Need?
How many days in Kranjska Gora do you need? For most first-time visitors, I think two to three days is the best balance. I would use one day for the immediate area, while three or more days becomes much more worthwhile if I want to hike, ski or use Kranjska Gora as a base for exploring the wider Julian Alps. The village itself is small, but I think that is slightly misleading when deciding how long to stay. Much of Kranjska Gora’s appeal for me lies outside its centre, around
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 Worth Visiting?
Is Tulum worth visiting? For me, yes, if I want Caribbean beaches alongside cenotes, Mayan ruins and days spent exploring beyond the hotel. I find it less convincing when what
Korčula vs Dubrovnik: Which Medieval Town Still Feels Real?
Korčula vs Dubrovnik came down less to architecture than atmosphere for me. Both have medieval walls, towers and striking Adriatic settings, but Dubrovnik felt more organised around tourism, while smaller
Ragusa: History, Food and Sicilian Innovation
Ragusa became one of our favourite bases in southeastern Sicily because Baroque architecture, regional food and history were all close at hand. Its UNESCO-listed old town also put us within
Egremni Beach Lefkada: The Walk Down and What Waits Below
Egremni Beach was the Lefkada beach where we most clearly felt the trade-off between effort and reward. The long cliffside staircase makes access harder, but once we reached the broad
How Many Days in Kranjska Gora Do You Need?
How many days in Kranjska Gora do you need? For most first-time visitors, I think two to three days is the best balance. I would use one day for the
Foresta Umbra: Why It Feels Like a Reset
Visiting Foresta Umbra is worth it when you want a genuine break from Gargano’s beaches. I found the cooler woodland, shaded roads and slower pace particularly welcome after several 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
