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.
Why Wandering Chania Old Town Feels Unlike Anywhere Else
Chania Old Town isn’t somewhere to navigate efficiently. It’s a place where getting distracted is often the best part of the experience. Venetian streets, Ottoman courtyards and hidden squares blend together in ways that reward curiosity far more than careful planning, making every walk feel slightly different from the last. 🏛️ How Chania Old Town Was Built Every street in Chania Old Town reflects a different period of the city’s history. Rather than replacing what came before, each civilisation left another layer behind. The Venetians shaped the harbour, defensive walls
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.
Where to Stay in Nassau: Neighborhood Guide
Choosing where to stay in Nassau is one of the most important decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday. The right area can leave you within walking distance of beautiful
Is Balicasag Worth Visiting?
If you’re wondering is Balicasag worth visiting, the answer is yes for most first-time visitors. It offers some of Bohol’s best snorkelling and marine life, but it also requires a
Are the Tulum Ruins Worth Visiting?
Are the Tulum Ruins worth visiting? For most travellers, yes. While they aren’t the largest or most impressive Mayan archaeological site in Mexico, their spectacular clifftop setting overlooking the Caribbean
Guide to the Mani Peninsula: Untouched Greece
A guide to the Mani Peninsula reveals one of mainland Greece’s most distinctive regions, where fortified stone villages, dramatic coastlines, Byzantine churches and centuries of history combine to create a
A Slow Afternoon Between O Grove and La Toja
An afternoon between O Grove and La Toja works best when you stop treating it as a checklist of sights and let the area slow you down naturally. The distances
Why Monte Sant’Angelo Feels Different
Monte Sant’Angelo transforms a Gargano holiday by replacing beaches, coastal roads and sea views with cooler mountain air, historic streets and a slower pace. 🏛️ Visiting Monte Sant’Angelo Changes the
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
