Tinos is a Greek island located in the Aegean Sea. It is in the Cyclades archipelago. The closest islands are Andros, Delos and Mykonos. The island has an area of 194,464 square kilometers and a population of nearly 9,000 inhabitants. Located three ports – one for speed boats and two ferry and high-speed boats carrying passengers and cars to other ports, including Mykonos (35 minutes), Piraeus, Rafina, Andros and Syros. Transport of the region includes regular buses connecting Tinos city with other villages on the island.

For the Greeks people this island is sanctuary. It has become a religious center of an annual pilgrimage, which is held on the day of the Assumption on August 15. In the church of Panagia Evangelistria (the most famous place on the island) has an old miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, which according to legend is the supreme source of miracles and healings. This makes the pilgrimage perhaps the most remarkable and still ongoing in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean. According to tradition, as a sign of devotion, many pilgrims fall on hands and knees and make their way 800 meters from the ferry to the church.

In addition to the church of Panagia Evangelistria the island is known among the Greeks with: 80 windmills; 1000 artistic friezes; 50 active villages and architectural Venetian fortifications of towering mountains. The island is also well known for its famous sculptors and artists such as Nicholas Gisis, Yanoulis Chalepas and Nikiforos Lutras. For visitors are very interesting and dovecotes – homes to pigeons which are scattered throughout the island and are more than 600. Their houses are two-storey buildings with geometric ornaments and holes to allow pigeons to enter and exit. The monastery of the Ursuline Convent can also be visited. Nowaday it is located in the folklore museum. In the middle of the island rises also majestic rocks with heavy past of the fortress town. Today on the way to the rock can be seen only ruins. In the area of Panormos are beach Agia Thalassa and Planitis rock that looks like a peninsula. This picturesque location is ideal for visits, but only when there is no wind, because of the small rock pieces. In good weather people dive and swim around them.

In ancient times Tinos was also known as Ophiussa and Hydroessa. He was in possession of the Venetians until 1715. Then the Ottoman Empire conquered the island until 1821 when started the Greek War of Independence. The tumult to this period led to an increase in piracy in the region. Summer in 1826 Cambrian boats captured pirates who managed to bomb and burn Místico of Tinos. Victims are five pirates, there are also several injured.

• Paxos

The Greek island of Paxos is the smallest group of the Ionian Islands. It is part of a small group called Paxi. The smallest island is known for good wine and sandy shores. Paxos beaches are pebbly except Mongonisi, which is only in sand. Inside the island there are small villages with houses that give the spirit of the locals. The water is crystal clear, while walking along the shore you will experience the fragrance of the many pine and olive trees.

It is assumed that the Paxos was inhabited in prehistoric times. Traditionally, the Phoenicians are considered the first inhabitants. The name of the island supposedly comes from the word Pax which means Slate of Phoenician language. The island was part of the Roman Empire until the 2nd century AD. During the Byzantine Empire and the Middle Ages, it was constantly attacked by pirates. In the late 14th century power over the island belonged to the Venetian Republic. This contributes to the architecture of the island in Venetian style. According to Greek mythology, it is believed that Poseidon created the Paxos by striking Corfu with his trident, because to have a quiet place to relax with his wife Amphitrite.

• Serifos

Serifos is a Greek island in the western Cyclades. It is located 74 miles from Piraeus islands between Kythnos and Sifnos. The area of the island is 73 square kilometers. Serifos combines exceptional beauty and provides many sunny beaches with crystal clear and transparent water. The beach Psili Amos was even awarded for the best European beach in 2003. The picturesque town of Chora overlooks the harbor and attracts attention with its fossil mines. The land on this island are rich in minerals. Serifos was an important economic center in the last century for its mines, but today they are exhausted after deposits. Traces of mining will be found in various places, including in a small museum with monument.

In ancient times Serifos was inhabited by Ionians. In ancient Greek myths and legends the island is mentioned as the place where the sea throws a little Danae Perseus. Serifos is partner with Athens and starred in the wars with the Persians. Crusaders conquered the island in 1204, Turks in 1537 which had rule until the liberation in 1821.

Andros is a Greek island in the northernmost of the Cyclades islands. It is located approximately 10km southeast of the island of Euboea and about 3 km north of the island of Tinos. Andros is almost 40 km long and has the greatest width of 16 km. Its terrain are green mountainous and is famous fertile valleys, springs and sandy/rocky beaches. Its architecture is unusual even for the Cyclades group – the houses with tile roofs and prevail over those with white flat roofs.

The main town on the island is also named Andros and is situated on the east coast. In 1900 the island’s population is about 18 000 inhabitants, but data from the census in 1991 recorded only 8781. The larger settlements on the island are: Andros, Gabriel, Bazzi and Ormos Kortiu. Bazzi is the most popular resort among them, because it’s surrounded by numerous beaches and bays which is located near the main port.

The beaches of Andros are stunning with breathtaking views. It has a beach for any preference. Beaches dominated by sand bars, lounges and umbrellas. The most famous beach Grias Pidima is located on the east coast near Ormos Kortiu. The meaning of his name is “Leap old woman” due to its southern end where a narrow vertical rock emerging from the sea, as if going to jump. Among the long and deserted beaches are Pesa, Kalamitsi, Vlychada and Zorkos.

As in most places and Andros is famous for its local culinary dishes. Among the most famous is the “Fruittila”, resembling an omelet with meat and potatoes. Typical for this area are local pastry with almonds, homemade jams, pastries filled and more.

Besides its amazing beaches and delicious food, the island of Andros is attractive for lovers of nature walks. The Archaeological Museum is located in the central square in Cairy city. One of the most famous artifacts in the museum is a statue of Hermes by the 2nd century BC – a copy of the original bronze statue of the 4th century. In the building can be seen more and artifacts from the 10th century BC, the statue hostess of Herculaneum, also and large collection of ceramics. The Museum of Modern Art is highly visited because of its magnificent paintings from the 20th century as painters by Picasso, Marriage, Michalis Tompros and others. Another historic building of the island’s is the Sea Museum, where you can see photographs and collections of nautical instruments and ship models. Near the city center lies the church of Panagia Teoskepasti built in 1555 in honor of the Virgin Mary. The name means “shelter of God.”

More interesting places and attractions in the area are: Venetian fortress in the town of Andros; the LighthouseTurlitis; the Church of Agia Talasini; the Tower of Agios Petros from 3-4 century; Panahrantos old monastery with its impressive sea views; the ancient capital of Andros – Paleopolis, today you can see only remnants of it and sunken pier into the sea; Fortress Faneromeni (upper fortress) near Corti; The Temple Agios Ioannis Kremidis that hides nice and secluded beach.

Ios is a Greek island in the Cyclades group in Aegean Sea. The island is hilly with cliffs down to the sea, located halfway between Naxos and Santorini. It has a length of about 18 km and 10 km wide with an area of 109,024 square kilometers. In 2011 population numbered 2,024 people (3,500 in the 19th century). The island was in several movies such as “Ginger and Cinnamon”, also and scenes of movie “Big Blue” on the beach Manganari.

Port of Ios is located northwest at the head of the port Ormos. From there you can catch a bus or 15 minutes walking along to the village, known as Chora. The houses of Cycladic village are very picturesque and have white paints. It’s full of stairs and narrow paths that make it inaccessible for cars and transport. The main road of the village bustling with tourism, where they huddled establishments such as restaurants, boutiques, bars and discos.

In Ios also has a few small settlements, a group of scattered houses near the beaches Theodoti, Kalamos, Manganari. Since 1990 the mayor of the island Passos worked on the development of Ios to attract tourists. There was build some roads, all of them paved, with the help of European Community funds. There was created and picturesque amphitheater by German architect Peter Houpt, located at the top of the hill to the village. Unfortunately rarely have a cultural events there.

In the excavation of the hill Skarkos was discovered prehistoric settlement proving that Ios has been inhabited since the beginning of the Cyclades period. Skarkos architecture is preserved in places to a height of almost three meters, most of the buildings there are obviously two cobblestone floors and sanitation. There was found numerous well-preserved pottery, tools and utensils made of metal, stones and bones. Unfortunately, many of these things are still unseen.

According to the legends and ancient tradition people believe that the mother of the great poet Homer was from the island of Ios, who was buried there. Local residents, captivated by this story, show visitors ancient city of Plakotos which is located in the northernmost part of the island – the rock entrance of the tomb of the poet. But there is no hard evidence to associate this case with Homer. The historical origin connects the island with signs of Mycenaean settlements. At the north end of Ios you can see ruined Venetian castle from the 15th century. It is believed that the island has 365 churches and chapels, as are the days of the year.

In 2008 Ios was among six European locations (out of 109 applicants) to cultural heritage because of his outstanding efforts to protect the archaeological object of Skarkos.