You'll love this tour if you like:
- Walking
- The great outdoors
- Nature
- Scenery
- Tradition and culture
The success of our Crete walking tours has led us to explore and research interesting trails elsewhere amidst the Greek archipelago! With the help of experienced local guides we have found some lovely trails and put together some spectacular walks. Like our ‘Walking in Western Crete’ tour, this tour will similarly display the natural and authentic landscape of the region whilst, with the help of our knowledgeable guide, will also provide an insight into the traditional ways and culture of the islands visited.
Situated in the northern Cyclades the neighbouring islands of Tinos and Andros provide the opportunity to walk amongst a beautiful and relatively untouched nature that is prominent on both islands. They also offer a cultural richness and an ancient heritage.
This tour is split-centre with one night in Rafina, on the mainland, on arrival, 4 nights in Tinos and 3 nights in Andros. Our walks here are easy to medium with walks averging between 6 to 12kms a day.
Tinos
Tinos has kept its deeply Greek character and is an island for those who appreciate the 'old ways' and the simplicity of island life. Here you will find the authentic picturesque villages that one hopes to find on a Greek island, blue and while coloured houses are evident everywhere as is a renowned friendly and warm island hospitality. Peculiar to Tinos are hundreds of ancient and beautifully ornate dovecotes. The oldest ones are believed to be from the 17th & 18th centuries. It was the Venetians who first started a systematic breeding of pigeons here after discovering their meat tasted excellent and their droppings offered high quality manure. The exact number of dovecotes on the island is unknown but it is thought to exceed 600!
The Island is also well-known as a site of pilgrimage, which stems from enduring legends of miraculous icons found here. Greeks come in droves each year to visit the church of Panagia Evangelistria for the 15th August celebration of the Virgin Mary, many covering the distance from the port to the church on their knees!
Andros
Andros offers the same authenticity and simplicity as Tinos. It is quiet and reserved, cultural and traditional, picturesque and historic. Overflowing with water, few other islands offer such a wealth of shady walks. This is above all a place for lovers of the great outdoors and those interested in visiting an island for its peacefulness and unspoiled landscape.
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