Travel Stories: Mine Kalpakçıoğlu
Mine Kalpakçıoğlu’s favourite summer destinations and summer style tips…
Mine Kalpakçıoğlu is passionate about her job in communications and public relations, which she has been continuing as the founding president of T.I.M.E., a PR firm that has been a press and event consultant of numerous firms from Turkey and abroad since 1997. Kalpakçıoğlu sums up her travel approach as, “A passion where I sometimes relax by going to places I already know and enjoy, and sometimes kindle my creativity through new experiences by adapting to different environments, different times.”
Zehra tunik “The navy-red tunic is the most stylish piece, in every island they stopped me to ask where it’s from.”
Favourite summer destinations…
Sardinia (Porto Cervo), South Aegean Coast of Turkey, Eastern Greek Islands (Leros, Marathi, Patmos, Antiparos), Capri.
What makes them special for you?
The stylish, beautiful crowd and the fun of Porto Cervo and Capri; the extraordinary nature, bays and clear seas of our Aegean Coast; the simple boho style and beautiful wining-dining opportunities of the Eastern Greek Islands.
Where are you in these photos?
In the first picture I wanted to get on a local fisherman’s boat in the tiny harbour of Patmos and take a photo with the fisherman. Afterwards I went to the island square on my rented motorbike and shopped for souvenirs.
In the second picture I’m at Marathi and our boat is about to sail to Leros. The special thing about this photo is that it was my birthday and this was taken right after a 5-hour dinner in the casual seafood restaurant by the shore with my closest friends, which ended with me blowing the candles on my birthday cake.
In the third picture I’m at Leros. I went to the market in the morning, bought a favorite sandal of mine made in the local islands and shopped again for souvenirs. Afterwards I had lunch at the Mylos tavern.
Ela shirt dress “The blue striped shirt is the most comfortable and versatile piece to wear over a bikini.”
Make sure to…
Swim at the aquarium cove called Tiganakia between the islands of Marathi and Arki. Walk on Agia Marina in the island of Leros and stop by the hole-in-the-wall bars.
Rent a bike in Patmos to see the island, swim at the Arki beach, go up to the small village in Chora in the evening to watch the sunset.
Drink a cocktail at Manolis, in the island of Marathi.
“The stylish, beautiful crowd and the fun of Porto Cervo and Capri; the extraordinary nature, bays and clear seas of our Aegean Coast; the simple boho style and beautiful wining-dining opportunities of the Eastern Greek Islands are what makes these destinations special for me.”
Three spots you should not miss…
The monastery at the highest point of Patmos. It is believed that St. John wrote the “Apocalypse of John”, i.e. the Book of Revelation in the Cave of the Apocalypse, which stands at the highest point of Patmos, a very important island for Christians. The 11th century structure offers incredible bird’s-eye view of Chora’s white houses.
The caves of Makronisi in Lipsi island and the Castle of Leros are not be missed either.
Feride tunik “The navy coral tunic is an essential summer piece for me with its comfortable yet chic design.”
For good food...
Kyma or Astivi in Patmos, Taverna Mylos in Leros and Pantelis in Marathi.
Best spots for a swim…
The aquarium cove called Tiganakia between the islands of Marathi and Arki.
Favourite summer cocktail…
Frozen Margarita.
“For me Haremlique à la mer is elegant, lightweight and chic clothes and accessories that can be worn from sunrise till sunset.”
Luggage essentials for a vacation…
50 SPF sunscreen, sunglasses, sandals, a power bank.
Favourite summer accessories…
Straw hat and sunglasses.
Summer style tips…
Hair braided while wet, white SPF lip balm put on in the evenings, a whole lot of colourful and thin bracelets, shorts underneath lightweight shirts.
To you, Haremlique à la mer is…
Elegant, lightweight and chic clothes and accessories that can be worn from sunrise till sunset…
Which is your favourite piece from the collection, why?
Colorful rope bracelets, large raffia make-up bag and the peshtamals.
