1. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Ciao. My name is Yaz. As the name implies I’m an eternal summer child (name means summer in Turkish). As long as there is sunshine and sea I’m in my element. Beyond that I love music, photography, all things colorful and making love.
2. What does ”escape” mean to you?
Escape means the ritual of going somewhere. Driving your car down the highway with or without your companions. Sometimes going someplace or just going. Doesn’t matter. As long as you move.
3. Do you have a summer ritual?
Yes. Taking a long drive down from Istanbul to Bozburun to get on a Gulet boat with 15 people. Either with family by blood or acquired. Bask in the glory of the Aegean sea. Pure bliss.
4. Where is it you escape to habitually for true downtime?
True downtime can be found in Bademli or Puglia. Depends if I am in Italy or Turkey at the time. South of both countries let’s say.
5. How long have you been visiting this place, and what draws you to it?
Puglia since I was a kid. It means family for me. Roots. And Bademli since I was a teenager, it means tranquility and community.
7. What about the best to: Do, see, stay, eat and drink at this particular escape?
Last summer in Puglia we saw Fat Freddy’s Drop perform live. It was arguably the most emotionally heavenly moment of my life. It’s etched in my heart forever. You could feel the love in the air.
6. Do you have an anecdote or unforgettable memory to share?
If we are talking about Puglia I would suggest eating raw scampi with fresh lemon squeezed on top and fried calamari with some ice cold beer. Do nothing but swim all day till’ golden hour near Porto Badisco. See the beautiful little towns around the heel like Lecce, Otranto and more. Stay in a country side trullo or villa with your family and friends and just enjoy the southern Italian vibe!
8. Who are your favorite summer escape travel partners and why?
Ooh. There are many:
- Alice (wife)
- Zeynep and Kaan (mom & dad)
- Memo and Cate and my cousins (uncle & aunt/sista)
- Devin and Matthew and Sara (cousins from dad’s side)
- Erol Leenhouts, Aksel Kesenci, Ali Ersoy, Osman Pekin, Sera Akyazici, Finn O’ Hanlon, Ali Uras, Rafael Cemo Cetin, M. Biber, Ridvan Pehlivan.
- Sibel and Teo (my grandma, she passed, used to be my favourite companion and my grandfather who is also no longer with us)
- Tolga (Unc)
With all of them I have incredible partnerships. Different ways of flowing. Always laughing, enjoying and grooving. There are many more but these loved ones are some of my favourites.
9. What’s a new summer escape you embarked on this summer?
This summer I have explored myself and love. One could say the most beautiful yet hardest of escapes.
10. What’s your ultimate escape soundtrack?
Tough one. ‘Sweet Emotion’ by Aerosmith is always a classic. Some Donald Fagen ‘I.G.Y’ or Kurt Elling’s ‘Higher Vibe’ or ‘Six Blade Knife’ and ‘Money For Nothing’ by Dire Straits. ‘Saa Magni’ by Oumou Sangare.. I have too many.
11. What about this summer’s reading?
I’m reading a beautiful book recommended by Alice. About a girl discovering every possible life she could potentially live in alternate timelines. It’s a sad but beautiful celebration of life. It’s called ‘Midnight Library’ by Matt Haig.
12. Which film do you revisit for the summer?
‘Dazed and Confused’ by Richard Linklater.
13. Where do you hope to head next?
I’m hoping to head home to Rome and then to Capri to play at the club Rumore <3
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