SOFT FOOTPRINTS
TRAVEL GUIDES
A collection of first hand travel guides by Ian Howes: where to go, how to get there, and the details the big sites leave out. Ian covers the places that most travellers just pass by.
This Month's Guide
Updated every month, we handpick our most read guide so it is at the forefront of our site for all our readers to enjoy.
The Mani Peninsula in Autumn: Empty Roads, & the Return of Rain
Autumn in the Mani Peninsula means the crowds have gone, the sea is still warm, and the olive harvest is running. What changes between October and November is how much of the peninsula remains open. Summer leaves the Mani slowly. By late September the hills look spent: scrub bleached to straw, the limestone pale even in softer light, the coastal rocks stripped of anything not rooted deep. Then the first rains arrive, often brief and violent, spilling down the cobbled drainage channels that run through villages like Lagia before the
Explore Guides by Region
Some of Ian’s favourite regions with lots of insider knowledge as well as travel inspiration.
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
6 of Ian’s most recent travel guides in one place. He has either just got back from visiting or has perfected a guide from one of his previous travels.
How Many Days in Bohol?
If you’re wondering how many days in Bohol you really need, four days is the ideal choice for most first-time visitors. It gives you enough time to experience the island’s
Capo Cipollazzo to Ragusa Ibla: A Sicily Road Trip
This Sicily road trip from the western coast to Ragusa Ibla covers five distinct stops. Each one offers something different and the route holds together well. The journey moves from
Where to Stay in Bohol
If you’re wondering where to stay in Bohol, Panglao is the best base for most first-time visitors, Anda suits travellers looking for peace and quiet, and Tagbilaran is usually best
Is Comporta Worth Visiting – or Just Worth Knowing?
Comporta is worth visiting if quiet beaches, open landscape, and a slow pace matter more to you than activity and nightlife. It does not suit everyone equally. The reputation surrounding
Baroque Ragusa, Beaches & Modica Chocolate
Ragusa Ibla, Modica, and the beaches of south-eastern Sicily together offer one of the most rewarding combinations in eastern Sicily. Why the 1693 Earthquake Still Shapes What You See The
Morning Light and Evening Calm: A Day in Vila do Conde
The town sits at the mouth of the Ave, about thirty kilometres north of Porto, and a single day is enough to walk most of it. The river runs through
Unsure Where to Next? Start With a Series
Deciding where to visit next? Here are some of the places that Ian has written most about covering every aspect of that destination.
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
