My very first taste of Greece was in 2018 with a trip to glamorous Santorini.
But it’s one of the most popular Aegean island destinations and was packed with visitors seeking sunset selfies.
I wanted to discover the quieter side of Greek island life, so chose a trip taking in three lesser known spots in the Cyclades. First stop: Tinos READ MORE BELOW
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I had a very brief layover in Athens before the four-hour ferry crossing to Tinos.
The main town was all that I wished for, with little whitewashed streets and tucked away tavernas serving delicious food.
A main attraction is the Evangelistria church, a place so holy that a carpeted stretch of street allows pilgrims to get there on their knees.
The coast within hiking distance of Tinos town offers sparkling clear azure waters and quiet stretches of beach which may well fill up in the height of summer.
Car or scooter hire isn’t an option for me, so I booked myself a tour of Tinos with an elderly driver-guide who knew the island like the back of his weathered hand.
This rugged place is dotted with villages and ornate Tinian dovecotes. Pyrgos, built on the riches of marble extraction and Volax, which sits on a scattering of volcanic rocks, are worthy stops.
Tinos comes with a note of caution, however. A fearsome wind capable of sweeping you off your feet can whip across the island and it felt so chilly that I invested in an emergency overcoat.
Hold on to your hats until the next island stop – Tinos was the interesting and far less crowded start I’d hoped for.
