The beautiful Island of Tinos in Greece is located in the Aegean Sea, part of the dense Cyclades archipelago. The island is 75.083 sq miles in size and tourists will notice a glorious collection of windmills (around 80) scattered throughout the hills, which were built during the occupation of the Venetian Ghizzi Dynasty which ruled the island until 1390 when Tinos fell under the direct authority of Venice. The island was part of the Venetian Empire until 1715 despite the fact that Greece had already fallen to the Turks. When Tinos was finally taken over by the Ottoman Empire, the island thrived with artists, poets, philosophers and wealth and continued to become an important religious place.
It’s been said that Tinos once had a lot of snakes and that Poseidon sent a flock of storks to remove them (it’s safe now!). Today, Tinos has retained its rich culture and in particular, the Church of Panagia Evangelistria is an important landmark. Pilgrims flock every year to this holy place and famously crawl on a stretch of carpet from the harbour up to the church. A home to over 60 Cyclades Villages with Neoclassical mansions and villas on the waterfront and picturesque dovecotes, the salty and fragrant aromas emanating from local gardens will assure you that you are in Tinos.
We discovered that bespoke hoteliers White Line Hotels have a beautiful ensemble of eco-friendly villas on the island – Diles & Rinies Luxury Hotel Villas. Just a few kilometres from the old town and the Agios Fokas beaches, the villas are located throughout the Calderan hillside. Each villa offers unspoilt views of the Aegean Sea, with verandas and private gardens in every property for kicking your feet up, relaxing, entertaining, reading a favourite book, practising yoga or simply clearing your mind and doing nothing.
Whilst staying true to the heritage of Tinos, the villas offer contemporary Cycladic style and all modern conveniences. Enjoy the privacy of an upscale private villa with the services and concierge of a luxury boutique hotel, all year round. A trip to the old town will open up the senses for foodies and we recommend you indulge in the local cheeses. This is the perfect way to explore Tinos, with amazing mountain trails leading to countless villages full of old-world charm (and great roads if you prefer to drive). The stunning beaches and artisan stores are all nearby and away from the bustle of mainstream Mykonos, which incidentally is just a 15-minute boat trip away if temptation gets the better of you.
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