ISTANBUL EDITION • Sip and Wander
Istanbul is a city of seekers.
Some come chasing a new head of hair or a dazzling smile;
the bold ones leave clutching a “designer” bag that might raise an eyebrow at customs.
But through the eyes of PARESSE, sipping and wandering here is something else — a journey into a city that doesn’t just invite you but dares you to interpret her.
Where to Wander?
There’s Istanbul from the guidebooks — mosques, markets, and meze — and then there’s Istanbul, the city of dreamers, romantics, and seekers of beauty amidst chaos.
Take the mosques, for example.
While the Blue Mosque garners the crowd’s devotion, my heart belongs to the Yeni Camii, or New Mosque.
Its cascading domes and intimate interior feel less grandiose and more like a quiet confession from the city herself. It’s Byzantium with a human touch, where Istanbul reveals her favorite secret.
The Basilica Cistern? Yes, it’s a marvel.
But step beyond the touristy lens, and you’ll find a passage to Istanbul’s underworld. Light and shadow dance on the rippling waters, a scene so surreal it feels like a portal to another dimension. Think alchemy, mystery, and maybe even a touch of the quantum — Dan Brown would agree.
Then there are the rooftops. If you haven’t sipped champagne (or Turkish tea, your choice) with the Bosphorus as your backdrop, you haven’t truly lived.
Istanbul’s skyline isn’t a mere postcard; it’s a living, breathing masterpiece.
Domes flirt with minarets, ships glide like dancers across the water, and the light — Rembrandt would have wept for its golden glow.
Where to Coffee? [Since it became an activity in its own right]
In Istanbul, coffee is not just a beverage; it’s a lifestyle.
For locals, it’s as sacred as the apéritif is in Paris — a ritual to gather, linger, and stretch the evening into eternity.
The city’s cafés are temples of inspiration. Picture hyper-designed interiors where minimalist furniture meets fresh flowers, and the scent of coffee is as intoxicating as the decor is photogenic. Overstuffed couches and curated clutter coexist in such harmony that cats add to the vibe !
Minoa Pera is the epitome of this ethos.
It’s a library masquerading as a café, with bookshelves teetering under the weight of endless stories.
Writers find their words here, lovers lose them, and everyone else watches the drama unfold over cups of perfectly brewed coffee.
Beyoğlu, meanwhile, is Istanbul stripped of her grandeur.
It’s Montmartre-esque, where cracked facades, sunbathing cats, and graffiti-scrawled walls tell stories of decay and reinvention. It’s raw, unpolished, and utterly perfect.
The PARESSE Take...
Istanbul isn’t just a city; she’s a mood board. A writer’s dream. Every shadow, every steaming cup, every whispered moment feels like a line waiting to be written.
One evening, I found myself under vaulted ceilings, the air thick with incense and anticipation. A Dervish began to spin, his robes unfurling like a gown mid-runway twirl. The musicians weren’t mere accompaniment — they were the heartbeat of the moment, weaving devotion into melody.
And as I watched, I pictured him as a boy, gazing at one of those souvenir shop figurines of a spinning Dervish, thinking:One day, I’ll be that.
Then I found Rumi. His poetry — simple, like the people here — is an invitation, not an enigma.
Here, even the simplest moments are never met with hesitation.
Istanbul doesn’t just provide; she embraces.
