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.
Visiting Spinalonga from Elounda and Plaka
Visiting Spinalonga from Elounda is straightforward, but the best day involves more than simply catching a boat to the island. Elounda provides the easiest departure point, nearby Plaka offers a shorter crossing, and both can be combined with Spinalonga without spending hours travelling around East Crete. The choice becomes more interesting once Kolokytha enters the plan. Adding its quieter coastline and swimming gives the day a second character, replacing harbours, boats and history with time beside the water. 🚤 Visiting Spinalonga from Elounda Elounda is the easiest place to start
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.
Korčula Town Sunset: Where to Walk
Korčula Town sunset is when the Old Town begins to shift from sightseeing to evening life. As the heat fades, people drift from the interior lanes towards the peninsula’s edges,
Alcácer do Sal: The Inland Town Comporta Forgets
Alcácer do Sal offers a completely different perspective on the Comporta region. While most visitors head west towards the Atlantic, this historic riverside town lies thirty kilometres inland, where a
Vila do Conde Cycling: From the River to Vinho Verde Country
Vila do Conde cycling makes it possible to leave the Atlantic behind and reach rural northern Portugal within a single ride. Following the Ave inland leads from the town’s waterfront
Carrasqueira Palafitic Pier: A Comporta Coast Icon
Carrasqueira Palafitic Pier is one of the most distinctive places on the Alentejo coast, yet it remains a working fishing structure rather than a purpose-built tourist attraction. Built above the
Comporta Rice Fields: How the Landscape Changes by Season
The Comporta rice fields are far more than a scenic backdrop to the village. They form a vast working landscape that changes dramatically throughout the year, with flooded paddies, vivid
Is Antipaxos Worth Visiting?
Is Antipaxos worth visiting? Yes, especially as a day trip from Paxos if clear water, beautiful beaches and plenty of time for swimming are priorities. The island has little conventional
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
