Sipping the Soul of Istanbul.

Hey there! Buckle up for takeoff, we’re hopping on The Red Eye to Istanbul for a total immersion adventure!

We’ll prowl the streets and markets of this ancient city while learning a thing or two about the origins of our daily coffee habit and the roots of café culture.

And before we get started, we’d like to warmly welcome the 564 more fellow vagabonds 😳 who’ve newly joined us on The Red Eye since last week — it’s great to have you onboard!

(And if you missed last week’s edition of The Red Eye, you can still read it here)

Ok, it’s time to brew up your favorite grind ☕ and let’s depart on our next epic adventure! 🛫

SIPPING THE SOUL OF ISTANBUL.

Ancient brewing and modern roasts combine in delicious ways.

Our love of Istanbul and its glorious coffee house culture is enough to make us want to jump on the next Red Eye bound for the ancient city.

Come with us for a visual experience of all things Istanbul, including:

• Chat with a shop owner and enjoy a historic coffee and a trip through the 560-year-old Kapalıçarşı Grand Bazaar.

• Explore the back streets of Istanbul teeming with locals and travelers connecting over food, wine, and coffee.

• Taste Istanbul's local interpretation of third-wave coffee and prowl in the cosmopolitan Kadıköy district in the Asian side of Istanbul.

So grab your ayakkabı (walking shoes) and let's start exploring!

WATCH THE VIDEO…

Cuppa chill.

Love coffee? Yeah, same here. Frankly, we can't get enough of the heavenly elixir. And since we're celebrating Istanbul this week, we're gonna share a smokin' deal on our Istanbul roast.

This week only, we'll ship you a fresh-roasted 12-ounce bag of Istanbul for just twelve bucks. That's 6 bucks off, and it's only good till we drop our next issue.

Order up a fresh bag here and use code ISTANBUL-6 at check-out. We ship daily.

Love coffee? Yeah, same here. Frankly, we can't get enough of the heavenly elixir. And since we're celebrating Istanbul this week, we're gonna share a smokin' deal on our Istanbul roast.

We’re here to answer your burning questions about travel and coffee!

Whether you're seeking insider tips for your next adventure, curious about the latest brewing methods, or simply want to know where to find the best cup of joe on the road, we've got you covered.

Send us your questions any time, just reply to this post or email us and we’ll follow up faster than a Barista can brew you a latte.

We’ll share the best questions here on The Red Eye, like this one:

Hey Aaron and Cathy, let me introduce you to your new foodie best friend in Italy — Osterie d’Italia, the best Italy travel guidebook written by the folks at Slow Food.

From hidden gems to traditional osterias and trattorias, this guidebook is packed with wallet-friendly restaurants that deliver a genuine taste of Italy. Consider it your VIP pass to the best dining experiences Italy has to offer.

The book is available for kindle (load it on your phone), or you can download the iPhone app (sorry, no app for Android 🤦). You can also pick up a printed copy at most bookstores while you’re in Italy. One thing though: It’s only available in Italian 😱. Don’t fret, it’s easy to find and book restaurants even if Italiano isn’t your first language. Trust us on this one.

When you’re in Rome, here are our all-time favorites in the center of Rome + one historic coffee house you should not miss. For restaurants, you’ll need to make a reservation (ask your hotel to help):

• Da Armando Al Pantheon, just around the corner from the Pantheon (+39.06.6880.3034, lunch & dinner every day except closed Sunday)

• Grappolo d’Oro, close to Piazza Navona, great wine list (+39.06.689.7080, lunch & dinner every day except Wednesday lunch)

• ☕ Sant' Eustachio Il Caffè, a must-visit historic coffee shop near the Pantheon. Coffee always comes with sugar, go with it! (Piazza di S. Eustachio #82, open every day 7:30 AM till midnight)

And in Florence, our go-to spots for classic Italian meals (and great coffee) are all south of the Arno river (simply cross the Ponte Vecchio):

• Osteria dell’Enoteca, white-linen dining (but not snooty), great wine list. (+39.055.228.6018, dinner every day except Tuesday, lunch only on Friday, Saturday & Sunday)

• Trattoria La Casalinga, classic Tuscan home-style cooking (+39.055.218624, lunch & dinner every day except closed Sunday)

• ☕ Ditta Artigianale, a modern coffee joint with 3 shops, all with fine baked goods and excellent coffee (original shop at Via dello Sprone #5/R, open every day from 8:30 AM till 8 PM, google for other shops)

That’s it for this week’s edition of The Red Eye! And if your reading isn’t satiated yet, check out Starbucks’ crazy new idea to blend olive oil with coffee. 😱 If you’ve tried it, send us a note and tell us what you think!