Tinos, the land of beautiful nature, of the simplicity of life, of the gentle curve of its hills, of its enduring villages and friendly villagers, of miraculous icons, of its wealth of natural beauty, of its shadows and light, of its artistic wealth of painters, sculptors and their works, of its dovecotes and doves, monuments of history.

DAY 1: ATHENS - TINOS: Groups arrival in Athens airport and direct transfer to Rafina port. We continue by ferry to Tinos, the island of the pigeon houses and the Catholic churches. In the afternoon (if time available) we visit the famous Cathedral of Tinos, where the miraculous Icon of Virgin Mary is hosted.

DAY 2: CHORA - KOLIBITHRA - CHORA: Following the kalderimia we visit the old villages of Ktikados Xatzirados Tarabados where we meet the pigeon houses, true architectural master pieces. From there we continue downhill to the village of Komi and through a bamboo forest to Kolimpithra beach. Lunch, swimming and return by bus (or taxi) to Chora. Overnight stay in a hotel in Tinos Chora. (Hiking duration: 6 hours)

DAY 3: CHORA - XOBURGO - CHORA: Today we follow an old roman road to the highest Byzantine castle of the island, Xoburgo, at 559 m. altitude. From there we admire spectacular views to the Aegean Sea and other islands. We descend to the village of Volax through a granite area for lunch and then we continue to the village of Falatados. We return by bus to Chora. Overnight stay in hotel. (Hiking duration: 4 hours)

DAY 4: TINOS CHORA - ISLAND OF DILOS - MYKONOS - TINOS CHORA: Early in the morning we take the boat to the sacred island of Dilos where, according to Greek mythology, the twins Artemis and Apollo were born. On our way back to Tinos we stop at Mykonos Island. Overnight stay in a hotel in Tinos.

DAY 5: CHORA - ARNADOS - 2 CHORIA - AGIOS SOSTIS - CHORA: Early in the morning we catch the bus to Kechrovouniou Monastery. This is considered to be one of the bigger and most beautiful monasteries in Greece. Actually it looks like a Cycladic village and not a monastery. According to the tradition, the monastery was built by three sisters. Nowadays, about 50 nuns live at the monastery and they preserve a quite remarkable exhibition of handmade products. In this monastery lived Osia Pelagia, the woman who, after a vision, suggested the spot that the Holly picture of Virgin Mary was found. Then we decent to the villages of Arnados and 2 Choria which are famous for their central squares and the stone covered kalderimia (stone made constructions which cover the roads between the houses, like roofs).On our way to the beach of Agios Sostis we will meet the abandoned monastery of Agia Faneromeni and the medieval abandoned village of Kounares. We stop for swimming at the golden beach of Agios Sostis and then we return back to Chora, by a path next to the seaside which offers us great views to the islands of Delos, Siros and Mykonos.

DAY 6: CHORA - ORMOS PANORMOU - ORMOS ISTERNIA - CHORA: Morning transfer by bus to the area of Panormos, at the north of the island. We hike from Insternia to Pirgos, where we visit the Marple Artcraft Museum and we continue on to Panormos for lunch Early in the evening we return by bus to Chora. Overnight stay in a hotel. (Hike duration: 5 hours)

DAY 7: CHORA - FALATADOS - LIVADAS BEACH - CHORA: Early departure by bus to Falatados village. We walk from there through an area of granite and a marvelous canyon to the attractive beach of Livadas where we have lunch and free time to enjoy the sea. Overnight stay in a hotel in Chora (Hiking duration: 3 hours)

DAY 8: TINOS - ATHENS - DEPARTURE: Transfer from Tinos by ferry to Athens.

Details:

All local transfers according the itinerary

Accommodation in hotels on BB basis

This tour can also be offered as self-guided

Local tour leader

Highlights:

Explore the island of Tinos with its whitewashed villages and diverse nature.

Visit the sacred island of Delos on a daily trip via Myconos

Beautiful village to village hikes around the island

Mouthwatering local cuisine

Difficulty: Moderate

Season: May-October (August is not recommended)