On Tinos it’s not enough to be local. Tinos is the osmosis of two different worlds: the orthodox and the catholic half, so your ancestors need to partake in the right religion, depending on the village you’re currently visiting if you want to receive a warm welcome. Luckily, when it comes to travellers, vendettas are set aside and hearts are left wide-open. Sandwiched between Syros and Andros, this magnificent island was a well-kept secret for decades. Once boasting the largest population in the Cyclades —at least during the Venetian Rule with 35.000 recorded residents— it still harbors the largest trail network in the prefecture. In fact, this network is so mind-blowingly extensive, you can get anywhere you want without ever setting foot on asphalt. All you need is a monster stamina!

Here’s two things you need to know before you set out to conquer this little-known land: the trees are sparse and the beaches are wild. Most of the higher vegetation is the product of abandoned orchards gone wild, so if you’re looking for green splendor, you’d best take heed. Tinos is like a mountain rising out of the water and the entire island is landscaped with terraces, as if by a divine architect. Strewn with intricate pigeon lofts that attest to the island’s past idiosyncratic eating habits —too slippery for cows!— you can still encounter dove delicacies if you’re so inclined, although if you really want to get a taste of the island, then the Artichoke Festival in the village of Komi is just what the doctor ordered.

Tinos is currently experiencing a new wave of popularity thanks to eclectic nature lovers, enthusiastic young surfers, gourmet globetrotters and a handful of beer lovers! Yup, you heard me right, Tinos recently got its very own brewery —named after the island itself— that offers personalized tours and seasonal brews, including some very interesting berry variations. As for the wine-lover in you, the delicate T-OINOS, a (very) limited edition Assyrtiko, is slowly gaining worldwide acclaim with a huge fanbase in Japan! The good news is this little place has so many villages it never feels crowded and even people who live there will admit there’s something new to discover every single day.