FEELING AT PEACE IN A MARMARA MOMENT

After the long queues for Istanbul’s historic sites, and with sore feet, it was a joy to stumble on Yeni Marmara, a lovely café/tea house tucked away down a side street in the old city. Upon entering, there was no doubt that I was in magical Istanbul, getting a sense of place that informed so many of Chris Moss’s suggestions in last week’s cover story (“Causing a stir: the world’s 50 best cafés”, Sept 15).

Locals were puffing away on narghiles (hookah pipes), rugs were hanging from the white walls and Turkish music was playing out of the wall speakers. But the most desirable aspect of this glorious café was the back terrace, when I sat sipping my cinnamon tea, looking out over the Sea of Marmara. In that moment, I connected with the city that I was visiting for my 40th birthday, and felt at peace. EMMA HENSBY WINS A £250 RAILBOOKERS HOLIDAY VOUCHER