Secret Cyclades: Sun, Sea and Sailing in Tinos and Andros

There's no better way to discover the island of Tinos and the riches of the Greek terroir than on a private culinary walking tour broken up with tastings. Accompanied by a guide, you'll start with a visit to a cheese factory near the village of Steni. This is your chance to taste Kariki cheese – which, depending on the degree of ripening, can resemble Roquefort – alongside five wines and a local liqueur. The tour ends with a visit to a charcuterie serving louza, which is similar to Italian prosciutto. The rest of your time on Tinos is yours to play with. You can go for a hike up Mount Exombourgo; take shelter from the heat in the Cave of Gastria; wander the narrow streets of Chora, the island’s largest town; visit the Evaggelistria Panagia basilica; admire the church of the Virgin Mary; learn about the history of marble at the Museum of Marble Arts and Crafts; swim and sunbathe on the island’s many picturesque beaches; and visit Volax, Kardiani, Panormos and Triantaros, the island’s enchanting villages.

It’s time to bid farewell to Tinos and hop across the azure waters of the Aegean Sea to another of Greece’s most beautiful islands: Andros. After a relaxed morning at your hotel, you’ll be collected and privately transferred to the port of Tinos to catch an hour-and-a-half ferry to the port of Andros. A member of our team will be waiting for you at the port to privately transfer you to your home for the next four nights: a beautiful guesthouse nestled in the heart of nature. Spend the rest of today relaxing in this oasis of serenity and, come dinnertime, tuck into a delicious meal made with fresh local produce.

Despite being the second-largest island in the Cyclades, life on Andros is surprisingly simple, slow-paced and authentic. Most of the economic activity here revolves around agriculture, particularly wine and fruit growing, and the nature is wild, unspoiled and peppered with charming villages and fascinating historic sites. One of the next three days will be spent cruising the waters of the Aegean Sea aboard a RIB. This private tour leaves from the port of Andros and hugs the coastline, allowing you to soak in magnificent views of the coastline, secluded beaches and bays which are inaccessible on foot. There’s plenty of time carved out of the itinerary for swimming, relaxing and snorkelling, too. The other two days are yours to spend exploring the island with a hire car at your leisure. You can photograph the ruins of the Venetian castle in Chora; hike to the hidden beaches of Achla, Vori, Vitali or Zorkos; discover the gentle green landscapes surrounding the mountain village of Pitrofos; stroll between the historic churches of Messaria, once the island's largest town; and travel back in time with a visit to the Paléopolis archaeological site.