Dovecotes and churches

After a four hour ferry journey from the mainland yesterday and a late arrival in Tinos it was a bit of an effort to make it for an 8 o’clock breakfast. After which three taxis transported us into the hills above Tinos Town to Tarampados surrounded by dovecotes for which the island is famous. Our first stop was one of many isolated and ornate churches immaculately maintained inside and out. Tinos, unusually for Greece, identifies 50% Greek Orthodox and 50% Roman Catholic. There are 700 hundred active churches in a population of under 9,000. The cathedral in the town Panagia Evangelistria is the major Marion shrine in Greece, and the island’s economy is largely dependent on pilgrim tourism.

Lunch in a small taverna perched somewhat perilously into the rock was a highlight and we devoured Greek salad, gigantes and slices of artichoke pie. Fortified we followed the ancient Venetian path back down into Tinos town.

The weather has been a little disappointing thus far, no rain but overcast and chilly when the wind blows. I did manage a swim this afternoon, pleasant enough water temperature I would guess about 17.

Another convivial evening meal, it started to rain so we reluctantly moved from the waterside to the main body of the taverna. Stuffed aubergines washed down with village wine, delish.

A short postprandial daunter up to the cathedral, extra.