Luxury holidays in Tinos
Each year in August, the quaint Cycladic island of Tinos transforms as travellers flock to the red-stained steps of Panagia Megalochari to pay homage to the sacred Virgin Mary. But beyond the rush, Tinos’ church-laden streets are quiet, waves gently lap as the Greek sun beats down and locals potter along Venetian-esque ports. After a morning lazing along the bay’s secluded sands, venture up to the island’s hillside village of Pyrgos to wander past hand-crafted marble sculptures that adorn shutter-lined streets.
When to go
The annual rush to Panagia Megalochari takes place on 15 August. Beyond that, Tinos tends to be free from heaving crowds and is typical of a Mediterranean climate, making any month between April and October the warmest (and driest) time to visit.