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Tinos
Tinos is one of the sunny Aegean islands, 9 nautical miles from cosmopolitan Mykonos, and easily accessible from Athens or abroad. Athens airport is 15' from the port of Rafina, and from there the fast ferries take less than 2 hours to cover the 60 nautical miles to Tinos port. Alternatively, one can fly to the airport of Mykonos (JMK), which is about 20' from Tinos port by sea. Tinos hilly terrain is dotted by 52 whitewashed villages surrounded by stepped fields, small valleys, olive groves, more than 700 chapels, and countless dovecotes that are a distinct feature of the island. The large cathedral of Virgin Mary at the main town is the Greek-Orthodox equivalent of the Domain of Lourdes, attracting many pilgrims all year round. A number of old monasteries emphasize the religious overtone that has kept Tinos outside tourist development for many years; however, the genuine charm of the island is so undeniable that lately it has been rapidly transformed into a quality tourism destination. Superb sandy beaches and exquisite local delicacies add to the local vernacular architecture, artistic tradition, and natural beauties. The wave of mass tourism bypassed Tinos, so the island is lacking large hotel complexes. It is only recently that a few smart hotels appeared, alongside a rising market for villa renting or buying and a growing demand for new constructions or refurbished traditional buildings. The new trend is backed not just by easy access, but also by the fact that Tinos remains a busy place in winter too, when most other tourist destinations hibernate. While nearby Mykonos is witnessing the negative effects of overcapacity, it is reasonable to expect a growing shift to near-by Tinos, especially by the more affluent guests who prefer to escape from the crowds, and at the same time to be very near the jet-set summer resort for occasional outings. Dio Choria Dio Choria is a village about 7km uphill from Chora, the main town, with an ample supply of freshwater from three local springs that sustain the extensive vegetation. It is a splendid example of Aegean old fortified settlements, preserving all the traditional attributes: winding alleys and arcades, dense whitewashed volumes, small blue doors & windows, little chapels here and there. From the altitude of 450m, the view to the sea and the surrounding islands is absolutely spectacular. |
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click here for a pdf collection of photos from Tinos (6MB). |