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.
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 significant time commitment and depends heavily on weather and sea conditions. Many articles describe Balicasag as a “must-visit” attraction without explaining who it is actually right for. The better question is not whether Balicasag is beautiful. It is whether it deserves one of your limited days in Bohol. 🤔 Why Balicasag divides opinion Balicasag is one of Bohol’s best-known attractions,
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 Vila do Conde Worth Visiting? Who It’s Really For
If you’re wondering whether Vila do Conde worth visiting is a question with a simple yes or no answer, it really depends on what you want from the Portuguese coast.
Sitia and Palekastro: Exploring Far East Crete
Sitia and Palekastro sit in the far eastern corner of Crete, where the island becomes quieter, emptier and noticeably less shaped around tourism. Beyond Agios Nikolaos, the roads thin out,
Walking in Ragusa: Steps, Alleys and Piazzas of Ibla
Walking in Ragusa is best experienced through the descent into Ibla, where steep steps, narrow lanes and Baroque squares reveal how the upper and lower towns connect. Most visitors arrive
Getting Around Holbox: Walking, Bikes or Golf Cart?
Getting around Holbox is usually easiest on foot, with bicycles useful for longer beach runs and golf-cart taxis filling the gaps. Where you stay matters enormously: central Holbox is highly
How Gargano Puglia Weather Changes Beach Days
Gargano Puglia weather influences far more than the temperature on your holiday. While many visitors focus on sunshine forecasts, it’s usually the wind and sea conditions that have the biggest
Agiofili Beach, Lefkada: Quiet, Sheltered & Underestimated
Agiofili Beach is a small, sheltered cove near Vasiliki that offers crystal-clear water, excellent snorkelling and easier access than Lefkada’s famous cliff beaches. It lacks the dramatic scale of Porto
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
