I Took a True “Anti-Euro” Euro Trip on This Magical Greek Island

“You’re from New York?! How do you manage your stress?” my yoga instructor, Eleni, asked me when I told her I was visiting from Manhattan. We were seated cross-legged on a deck overlooking Vourni Beach on Tinos, a beautiful island in the Greek Cyclades that remains relatively undiscovered. I was indeed stressed, I admitted. Without hesitation, I said, “By coming to places like this.” “You’re going to have to come often,” she responded with a chuckle.

Now, an 8 a.m. yoga class on a Sunday typically wouldn’t be my first choice on vacation, but for my recent visit to Tinos, I was committed to prioritizing wellness and self-care on what I’m calling the “anti-Euro” Euro trip.

I’d traveled to Europe a handful of times over the years, and regardless of the location, the trips always included jam-packed sightseeing, step counts in the thousands, and stressful travel overall. From jumping on a train or ferry every other day to lugging suitcases through busy cobblestone streets, I rarely focused on rest and relaxation. There was always too much I wanted to see and make the most of during my limited time off, but oftentimes, that led to returning home feeling like I needed to detox and recover after my vacation. Though I wouldn’t change those experiences, I wanted to try something different this time. I recently spent a lengthy five days on one island — and property — with the sole goal of R&R.

Wellness tourism — and “quiet life travel” in particular, which centers digital detoxing, connecting with nature, and simplicity in general — is gaining momentum, but it’s not yet super popular in European destinations. This was the type of vacation I truly craved, especially as someone who’s not so great at unplugging and staying still, as Eleni likely picked up on.

As it turns out, Tinos was the perfect place for this experiment. In late September, I was graciously hosted by Odera, Tinos, Autograph Collection, the first luxury hotel on the island, which just opened in May. The island is known for its serene beauty and slow pace “off the beaten path,” as Odera’s general manager, Ioannis, put it. Tinos’s picturesque landscape is scattered with huge boulders, marble quarries, and gorgeous beaches. Odera, sitting above a serene beach itself and complete with two pools and a wellness center, certainly provided the escape I was looking for. I was lucky enough to stay at one of the property’s pool suites, which, like all of the its rooms, came with a stunning view of the beach and Aegean Sea — prettier than a postcard could ever capture.

As soon as I stepped onto the property, I grabbed my Kindle and sunscreen and headed down the winding path to the sandy private beach. I relished the pockets of beach time I had during my stay — getting lost in juicy reads, paddling in the calm, crystal waters, and simply enjoying the sounds of the sea. As corny as it sounds, I didn’t realize how much I needed to slow down and put my mind at ease coming off a hectic few weeks of work and my busy New York lifestyle. I also took advantage of Odera’s wellness offerings, like the aforementioned yoga, as well as a relaxing deep tissue spa treatment at the O Wellness Center.

What I loved about the hotel was that while it was undeniably fancy and contemporary, it felt authentic to Tinos and is very much inspired by the island’s calming vibe. Tinos is renowned for its unique marble carving, which was clearly incorporated into the stonework architecture of the hotel. During my stay, I also got chance to craft my own aromatic candle in a session guided by local artisans — every Autograph Collection hotel offers “The Mark,” an experience unique to the hotel and location. Because Tinos is known for its religious significance, candles and candle-making are a large part of the culture.

I would have been happy spending an entire week at the property alone, but I was also excited to explore an island I’d never been to before. Every tour guide, local artisan, and restaurant owner we encountered was local to Tinos or a neighboring island, and genuinely excited to share the beauty of Tinos with visitors.

We got a taste of the the culture by visiting the Museum of Marble Crafts; Vaptistis Winery, a local vineyard using indigenous Greek grape varieties; special villages like Volax, which is surrounded by hundreds of giant, granite boulders; and the Church of Panagia Evangelistria, which gives Tinos the reputation as the “island of miracles” because so many travel to the church in search of healing and saving. Because Tinos is also a farming island, the produce — and food scene — is so fresh and simple, yet innovative. We had crisp Greek salads and seafood and fish straight from the ocean aplenty.

My favorite activity, though, was a boat excursion with Don Blue Yachting. I’ve never seen a clearer, bluer ocean than the Aegean, so it was such a luxury to be able to dock at different islands and swim around in such peaceful, sparkling waters.

With all that swimming, drinking wine, light exercise, and eating fresh foods under my belt, I left Tinos feeling healthier — physically, mentally, and spiritually — than when I first arrived. That’s what I’d call the ultimate wellness trip. And as I promised Eleni, I’ll definitely be returning.

Yerin Kim is the features editor at POPSUGAR, where she helps shape the vision for special features and packages across the network. A graduate of Syracuse University’s Newhouse School, she has over five years of experience in the pop culture and women’s lifestyle spaces. She’s passionate about spreading cultural sensitivity through the lenses of lifestyle, entertainment, and style.