On the north side of the Aegean sea lies the picturesque island of Tinos, surrounded by Mykonos, Andros and Syros. 40 unforgettable villages, hundreds of churches and monasteries and beautiful, sandy beaches are the distinct elements of the island. Tinos is an important orthodox place of worship, attracting hundreds of worshipers every year that take part in the pilgrimage by walking on their knees from the harbor to the church of Panagia Evangelistria to ask for protection and forgiveness. In addition to the Orthodox Churches there are nearly 230 catholic churches on the island providing a mixture of religions not usual in the Greek land. Each church and monastery has its own celebration day once a year, with most important the celebration of the feast of Saint Mary that takes place in August the 15 th . Other feasts include the feast of annunciation in March 25 th , the feast of Agia Pelagia in July 23 rd and the feast of Agia Paraskeui on July26 th .
Besides the religious scope of the island, it is also suitable for leisure activities and entertainment. Sandy beaches of unparalleled beauty, Agios Ioannis, Agios Sostis and Agios Romanos to name a few, provide an excellent opportunity for an enjoyable swimming experience before a traditional Greek meal in a local tavern near the beach. One could also enjoy wind-surfing in the areas of Porto Bay and “Agios Sostis” but should be careful since the winds can become very strong and thus, create dangerous waves.
