Inspiration for your own tailor-made trip
Tinos - Andros - Athens
100% customisable for you
Today’s the day you’ll jet off to Greece. Head to the airport and settle into the lounge with some nibbles and refreshments before departing on the three-and-a-half hour flight to Athens. Enjoy some Greek-inspired entertainment while in the air, whether that’s reading a snippet of The Iliad or rewatching Mamma Mia for the hundredth time. A member of our team will be waiting for you in Athens to privately transfer you to the nearby port of Rafina. Here, you’ll board a ferry to the port of Tinos, a four-hour sail away.
Arriving on Tinos Island, collect your hire car and head to your first home in Greece: a charming local hotel, where you’ll be staying for the next four nights. Enjoy a delicious Greek dinner before settling in for a good night’s sleep after a busy day of travelling.
Now you’re settled in, you’ll have three days to get to know Tinos. There's no better way to discover this island and the riches of the Greek landscape than on a private culinary walking tour, so it’s the perfect way to kick off your time here. Accompanied by your guide, visit a cheese factory near the village of Steni to taste Kariki cheese – which can resemble Roquefort – alongside local wine and liqueur. The tour ends with a visit to a charcuterie serving louza (a little like Italian prosciutto).
The rest of your time on Tinos is yours to play with. Hike up Mount Exombourgo; shelter from the heat in the Cave of Gastria; or wander the narrow streets of Chora, the island’s largest town. Admire the Evaggelistria Panagia basilica and the church of the Virgin Mary, and learn the history of marble at the Museum of Marble Arts and Crafts.
No trip to Tinos is complete without sampling the island’s many picturesque beaches, or seeing the enchanting villages of Volax, Kardiani, Panormos and Triantaros, so be sure to add these to your agenda.
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, drive to the port of Tinos, drop off your hire car and catch the hour-and-a-half ferry to Andros.
Once you’ve arrived on the island’s sunny shores, collect your next hire car for the drive to your accommodation, where you’ll be staying for the next four nights. Spend the rest of today relaxing in this oasis of calm and come dinnertime, tuck into a delicious meal made with fresh local produce.
Despite being the Cyclades’ second-largest island, life on Andros is surprisingly slow-paced. Its economy revolves around agriculture, particularly wine and fruit growing, and beyond the vineyards and orchards, the unspoiled landscape is peppered with charming villages and fascinating historic sites. Spend one of the next three days cruising the Aegean Sea aboard a RIB. This private tour hugs the coastline, serving up magnificent views of rugged cliffs, secluded beaches and bays inaccessible on foot. There’s ample time for swimming and snorkelling too.
The other two days are for exploring at your leisure. Photograph the ruined Venetian castle in Chora; hike to the hidden beaches of Achla, Vori, Vitali or Zorkos; or discover the gentle green landscapes surrounding the mountain village of Pitrofos. We also recommend a stroll between the historic churches of Messaria, once the island's largest town, and a trip back in time to the Paléopolis archaeological site.
Sadly, the time has come to leave the sumptuous Cyclades behind, at least for now. With endless islands waiting to be discovered, this sliver of paradise draws travellers back time and time again. After one last delicious breakfast at your hotel, pack up your hire car and drive back to the port, where you’ll catch the ferry to Athens, which takes just over an hour.
From here, head to the airport to catch your four-hour flight back to the UK – probably full of plans for your next adventure. If you’re lucky enough to have a few extra days to play with, we can also arrange for you to extend your holiday in nearby Naxos. If not, there’s always next time…
Everything in this itinerary is entirely customisable, down to the smallest details. Here are some more suggestions of what could be included
Each of our trips is entirely tailor-made with originality, quality and cultural immersion in mind. Our team of destination specialists will craft itineraries based on your tastes, using their first-hand knowledge and the help of our in-country team of Concierges and guides. All trips are accompanied by a wide range of additional services, including a 24-hour helpline, the Original Travel app, fast-track airport services and much more.
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Our team of destination experts will get to know you and your unique requirements for your holiday
We work with you to build an ultra-personalised holiday itinerary with your choice of accommodation, experiences and activities
All of our holidays include little extras designed to make a big difference to your trip, from fast-tracking you through airport check-in and security to our network of local Concierges
