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ROUTES BY CAR
The road network of Tinos favors the routes by car or motorcycle and the visitor has the chance to wander around and explore the island in three or more days. The routes below are recommended and enable the tourist to guide himself around the Tinian countryside and its traditional villages, in the best way.
1 "TRIANDAROS- DYO CHORIA- ARNADOS- MONASTIRI- STENI- FALATADOS"
Following the so called "old" picturesque asphalt road leading from "Chora" to the villages, we choose to visit "Monastiri". At the exit of the harbor Town, we come across "Saint Paraskevi"- a former abbey and now a parish church. The whole route is marvelous, since the scenery around it is magical with fields built with rock terraces, filled with olive and fig trees, dovecotes and white chapels, bridges and ravines but also a view of "Chora" and the sea. At the location "Derafia- Kokkines eclissies" we follow the road on the right of the intersection towards "Monastiri". The first villages we encounter are the picturesque "Berdemiaros" and the traditional "Triandaros". It is worth stopping here and wandering around the narrow alleys with the arches, refreshing ourselves at the cool tap, watching the old olive- press equipment exposed at the entrance and eating at a tavern in the ravine or higher up. Afterwards, we go up to "Dio Choria" where the unique view to the endless blue beguiles every passer-by.
An exploration of the village is proposed, since this village, apart from its beauty, has a big square as well, with some old plane-trees casting their thick shadow. Next station is the neighboring "Arnados". It is one of the most traditional villages of the island, with many arches and arcades. There, we can pay our respects to the church of, called "Panaidaki", (The little Madonna) hidden in a crypt. We can visit museums and eat at taverns with a great view. Following the road, we reach the Convent of the "Lady of Angels" in "Kehrovouni". Here, you must have a little time at your disposal, to visit the convent and wander around the narrow alleys taken care of by nuns, in order to worship the skull of Saint Pelaghia (the nun that dreamt of finding the Annunciation Icon) and buy souvenirs handmade by the nuns. The route continues through the path on the mountain slope. On the left lies the green village of "Karya", which we can visit going down an old path, while subsequently there are the villages of "Tzados" and "Kehros".
At the five street crossroads called "Pentostrato", we will turn right towards "Steni", a central village with the cathedrals of Saint Nicholas and Saint Anthony and we will visit its museum with the rare exhibits. We will continue a little further to the picturesque and green villages of "Myrsini", with the public fountains combined with an open air laundry for the villagers and finally arrive to "Potamia" with the old dovecotes, watermills and the threshing-grounds in the dell. Afterwards we can return to "Pentostrato", passing through the village "Mesi" heading right, towards "Falatados", the second biggest village of the island, outstretched on the hillside, where we will walk through narrow alleys paved with slabs, visit its cathedral with the high dome, the museums, but also taverns that serve traditional delicacies. If you wish, you can visit "Xomburgo", on top of the rocky hill with the Catholic Monastery of the "Holy Heart of Jesus" and climb up to the top with the fantastic view, walking through the Castle ruins.
2 "TRIPOTAMOS- KTIKADOS- XYNARA- LOUTRA- VOLAX- KOMI- KALLONI"
With "Chora", the harbor town as a starting point and going up the so called "new" road we are heading to "Pyrgos". Apart from the Tinian countryside with the terraces and the flocks that graze in the fields, the artificial water reservoir of "Vaketa" is impressive, seeming like a little lake near the town. After a 5 km drive, we meet "Tripotamos" with many dove-cotes scattered around the village. The village is genuinely picturesque and is worth visiting. The modern philosopher Cornelius Castoriadis had chosen to live here. The intersection on the right leads to the pretty villages of "Karia" and "Moundados". After taking the road on the left towards "Pyrgos", we pass beside some old windmills and the island's dairy factory, where the tasty cheese varieties are produced. After a short distance, (about 1 km) we arrive at the villages "Ktikados" and "Hatzirados". A stop for coffee and food with a view of the seaside settlement "Kionia" is advisable, before going on with the trip towards the hinterland. Afterwards, when meeting a crossroads, we turn right and are led to the historic village of "Xynara" on the western slope of "Xomburgo". The Catholic Archbishop was based here, in an impressive public building with considerable archives. This building housed the municipal office in the past. Hence, we reach the nearby village of "Loutra" with the historical Convent of the "Ursuline" nuns and the Monastery of Jesuit monks.
Here, the stop is advised, since the tourist has several sites to visit i.e. the museums of the village and its green surroundings. Continuing and turning right at the intersection, we go up to the villages "Skalados" with the magical view to the valley of "Komi", "Koumaros" at the foothill of the mountain "Fourka", and "Volax" with the inimitable geological scenery that impresses with the massive weather-beaten rocks scattered everywhere. Here, you can meet the last craftsmen left that create a variety of baskets woven with a unique expertise. Returning to the main road we turn right towards "Krokos", a village placed in the ravine with the shadowy plane-trees and the taverns that invite the visitor to taste some traditional treats. Continuing on the same road and at a short distance we turn to the right on a secondary road leading up to the abandoned village of "Monastiria", that is in ruins, but retains its beauty. At the end of the road, there is the small but picturesque village of "Sklavochorio". After this compulsory deviation we return to the central road and we reach "Komi" coming across the village of "Perastra" on our left, which is built in the ravine with stone-built bridges. A little further to the right, we visit the village "Agapi" with the running waters, the distinctive architecture and the beautiful church dell. If we continue, we are led to "Vourniotissa", a monastery with myths woven around its holy image. Returning again to the main road, we will reach "Komi" a head village that is located in the most extended valley of Tinos, with numerous fruit trees and rich agricultural production. From here, you can go to the beautiful beach of "Kolymbithra" where, after an unforgettable swim, you will also enjoy fresh sea food at the tavern overlooking the waves. A little further from "Komi", there are the villages "Kato Klisma" and "Aetofolia". Reaching the end of the route, we pass "Karkados" on our right with the canted bell tower of its church and we end our trip in "Kalloni", one of the biggest and most beautiful villages of Tinos.
"Vourniotissa"
It is an abbey that is located at a distance of 4 km from the village "Agapi", with a view to the Aegean and "Kolymbithra". This monastery is dedicated to Virgin Mary "Vourniotissa" whose miraculous icon is kept in the Abbey of "Kehrovouni". Its celebration is held on the 8th of September, the day when, as it is said, the icon was found through a miracle. Someone that lived nearby saw light on the sea one night. When he went closer, he found a clay-jar with an icon inside it. He transported it up to a certain point and then it became too heavy to be lifted. He concluded, therefore, that Virgin Mary wanted to stay there. On this spot, where the chapel of Saint John already existed, a big church was built, which today has a marble floor, a wooden chancel screen and attracts crowds of believers.
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3 "KAMBOS-TARAMBADOS- KARDIANI- YSTERNIA- PYRGOS- PANORMOS"
This route is special, due to crossing over the whole southern side of the island, having always the endless blue sea on the left and the extended, rocky and windswept areas on the right. This is one more beautiful and magical part of Tinos. With the innumerable terraces, the wind-scuffed rocks and the white chapels spread all around, the environment is very pleasing and gratifying for the visitors. Starting from "Chora", the harbour town, we follow the new road leading to "Exo Meri" (Pyrgos) and passing by the villages of "Tripotamos" and "Ktikados", we take the street that is parallel to the sea. The first village that we come across is "Kambos", with the church of Saint Catherine, erected by the Russians while they ruled the island. A stop here, to buy fresh tasty crackers and warm bread, is a must. Afterwards, the exploration of the nearby villages of "Smardakito" and "Tarambados" is a pleasant experience. Those villages preserve their traditional color and conquer the visitor`s heart.
Close to the last village, Tarambados, there is a group of the biggest and most beautiful dove-cotes, which is advisable to explore and photograph. The next section of the road is different, later on, because villages are absent and the scenery changes into infertile windswept soil, its main characteristics being the terraces, the rocks, the small chapels scattered here and there and the flocks of sheep. After a ten minute drive we will stop to admire a weird rock at a road's nook. It is sculptured by the winds and its shape reminds us of a giant mushroom or an umbrella. The next village we meet is "Kardiani". It literally hangs on the rock, while the water creeks flowing in the area have transformed the scenery into a little green paradise-like oasis. The cool source that refreshes us, but mainly the village itself, are the island's jewels that deserve a pleasant stop for a stroll. The next village "Ysternia" is one of the biggest and most beautiful villages of the island; it will be our next stop. We will walk through the marble-clad alleys, admire the architecture of the houses and have some coffee at the village coffee-house. A little further, on top of the hill, there are many old windmills lined one beside the other, as remnants of the past commercial activity of wheat-grinding in that area. The scenery here is ideal for taking pictures and exploring the beautiful surroundings.
Not far from there, after passing through the villages of "Platia" and "Venardados", we reach the village of "Pyrgos", the biggest village of the island but also the most important, since it has been the birthplace of many famous artists. The village itself is very noteworthy, with the picturesque marble-paved paths, traditional houses and sculptured details, that are built-in everywhere. There are two impressive churches, some museums, a cemetery with marble works of art, but also a beautiful and hospitable square, with the big old plane-tree that casts a wide and thick shadow over the tables of the surrounding coffee-houses. After an extended walk and a stop for coffee and confectionery at the square of "Pyrgos", we move to its seaport, "Panormos". We will stop here for a swim in one of the beautiful beaches that surround the small port, but also for seafood at one of the picturesque taverns. If we want, we can visit the nearby villages of "Marlas" and "Mamados", which are the most far-away villages of Tinos, as well as the old Abbey of "Kyra- Xeni", near "Marlas".
"KYRA- XENI"
Near the village "Marlas" there is the Monastery of "Kyra-Xeni", which was being built from 1732 until 1756. According to tradition, a ship coming from the straights of "Dardanellia" was in danger outside "Panormos", because of a storm. The captain and the crew prayed to Virgin Mary to save them, while the captain also promised to become a monk. As a matter of fact, when the ship was sinking and they fell into the sea, he found in the waves an icon of Virgin Mary (according to another version, he had it with him on the ship) and she asked him to carry it ashore. After being rescued, he went to "Marlas" and sat down to rest. When he got up to leave, the icon was too heavy to be lifted. He realised then that he should built a church right on that spot. He built it, after selling his property and dedicated it to Virgin Mary "Kyra-Xeni" (the Lady from afar). The captain became a monk taking the name Kallinikos and lived there the rest of his life. Today "Kyra- Xeni" is celebrated on the first Sunday after the 15th of August and people come to visit from all over Tinos.
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OFF ROAD ROUTES (BY JEEPS AND ENDURO MOTORCYCLES)
The road network of Tinos is over 1000 km, with 600 km of this being a dirt road. The island, apart from its other virtues, is a small heaven for the visitors that want to discover it by Jeep or Enduro motorcycles. The routes below are the most popular, and the visitor must know that the dirt roads and the paths one can follow are widely spread.
A. AROUND MOUNTAIN "TSIKNIAS"
Starting from the village "Steni" the visitor can follow the dirt road which also has some asphalt parts, to visit the highest mountain of Tinos. The road is level and the scenery magical, since on one side there is the imposing fog-covered mountain that casts its shadow, while on the other one there is a wide sea view. From here, the island of Mykonos can be seen very clearly. In addition to the trip around "Tsiknias", the ambler can climb to the top only on an Enduro motorcycle or very tough Jeep, or else on foot. The route is very rocky and one must pay attention, but whoever follows it, has the chance to enjoy the wild natural rocky landscape and be rewarded by the panoramic view. At the top of the mountain there is the church of "Profitis Elias" at an altitude of 723 m. The enthusiastic bikers should know that they have the opportunity to follow every path they find, exploring the mountain and its secrets that way.
B. "PETRIADOS- FALATADIANA"
y taking this route, the tourist has the chance to meet the unknown northern part of the island with the inimitable view and the round granite rocks spread all over the place, making the site seem fantastic. The choices are many, while the ambler is not limited to follow only one route.With a Jeep and the village "Falatados" as a starting point, one can move to "Kakia Skala" and the church of Virgin Mary. Another route connects "Vourniotissa" with "Kolymbithra" beach and "Exo Meri". This could be accomplished by motorcycle but even by a tough Jeep in the past, but lately the same road was partially paved with asphalt. Again, the choises are many and the driver has the opportunity to change tracks to any destination through paths or dirt roads.
C. "POLEMOU KAMBOS" (WAR-FIELD)
This route is special because it is an errantry in the largest plateau of the island. Here the scenery is mountainous and arid with widespread wild brushwood, while any kind of human presence is absent. The chaotic place needs a local guide. Driving a Jeep one can move to Saint Panteleimonas, a catholic church with a great view, using the village of "Aetofolia" as a departure point and wander around the plateau. On the contrary, the enduro motorcycle driver has the opportunity to choose any destination around the mountainous bulge and follow any path. The final destination could be to the NE, at the church called “of the second Finding of the Icon”, above the village "Ysternia".
D "STENO- PRASINA MARMARA (GREEN MARBLES)"
This route, like the previous ones, is interesting and the ambler will reach the NW edge of Tinos. By Jeep, the way to the "Tinos-Andros" channel is quite easy, while lately a dirt road has been opened (formerly the route was much more difficult due to the gnarled old road). The scenery is wild and the slope threatening, while the road is located on the edge of the crag with the sea spreading magically beneath. On a motorcycle the exploration of this site is easier, while there are many alternative routes. Besides reaching the pretty lighthouse that reminds us of old times, or the beaches "Mali" and "Koumelas", the ambler can move on to reach "Profitis Elias", a church on the mountain peak, through a narrow path. Here, the beautiful view to the nearby villages and the sea gratifies the adventurous climber.
The routes do not end here...As mentioned, Tinos is ideal for walking through innumerable paths or dirt roads and invites the visitor to explore it.
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