Nathanael and his new wife Natalie standing in Imbros Gorge, near Chora Sfakia.<\/p><\/div><\/p>\n

Why I went to Western Crete<\/strong>
\nDeciding where to go on honeymoon is tricky, particularly for a travel writer – there are simply too many choices. We wanted a variety of things from our first holiday as a married couple, particularly somewhere equally enticing for both lazy days and busy days. Western Crete met all of our criteria, offering historical sightseeing and gorge hiking for the times we wanted to explore, and also beaches and tavernas for the days we preferred to just relax.<\/p>\n

My highlight of the trip<\/strong>
\nMost people who visit Western Crete recommend Samaria Gorge, a vast chasm that runs from the mountains to the sea. Ever the traveller to do things slightly differently, I decided that we should choose an alternative walking route. We picked Imbros Gorge, which was closer, shorter and, we were delighted to discover, truly spectacular.<\/p>\n

The walking route winds down from the mountains on a dried-up riverbed, becoming more impressive as the limestone canyon walls begin to tower higher on either side. Without any tour groups traipsing down this lesser-known trail, it felt truly remote and atmospheric. The hum of insects and the hot Cretan sun only added to the marvellous Mediterranean experience.<\/p>\n

What else I love about Western Crete<\/strong>
\nPerhaps the things we\u2019ll both remember most from our honeymoon are the hospitality and the food; two things that are utterly inseparable from one another in Crete. Every day on the island came with an unforgettable meal, from the impromptu dinner in an olive grove accompanied by bouzouki music, to the lunch that we prepared ourselves in a Cretan cooking class, while surrounded by the atmospheric ruins of an old olive press.<\/p>\n

So much of the cuisine is about plentiful portions and generosity from the hosts. Everything’s slathered in locally-made olive oil and followed by seemingly-unlimited free shots of raki, the Cretan distilled grape drink that\u2019s both sweet and fiery. One sip ensures it\u2019s not just the friendliness of the locals that will leave you with a warm glow.<\/p>\n