All images courtesy of cremelamare. Pants: The Fangirl Button Skimp Cuff in Blinded By The Light

Buket Dogru wants to help you find freedom in the stillness. The woman behind the dreamy travel and fashion account, @cremelamare, lingers on the kinds of moments most visitors rush past: a fisherman repairing his net, figs left at the doorstep by a neighbor, the glimmer of the sea at dusk. By embracing a slower, more soulful rhythm of travel, she’s able to stay grounded while on the move, following the sounds, smells and tastes that inspire her. In our conversation, Buket shares the places that shaped her, the vision behind her storytelling, and the poetry she sees in everyday life. Take a beat and stay a while.

Pants: The Pipe Dream Button Sneak Fray in Blinded By The Dark

What trip first sparked your love of travel? What made the experience so impactful?

I think it was a slow accumulation of small, soulful trips rather than one single defining moment. But my early travels through the Mediterranean, especially Sicily, Andalusia and the Aegean coast, taught me something profound: that slowness, sun and sea could completely change the way I feel, think and move through the world. I remember the softness of the light, the warmth of strangers, the taste of simple food; it made me fall in love with life, not just travel.



You’re currently based in the Greek Islands—what drew you to that part of the world, what keeps you rooted?

At first, it was the pull of living somewhere small enough to feel truly local, where you become part of the rhythm rather than a visitor watching from the edges. Part of the draw was also personal—my family has roots in Greece, and there’s a certain comfort in feeling connected to that history. Here, the baker asks about your family, the neighbor leaves figs at your door, and the sea feels as familiar as an old friend. The Greek islands aren’t just beautiful—they’re human. The pace is slow but full, the beauty is quiet but constant. What keeps me rooted is this sense of local belonging, of being part of something simple and true, where life feels lived rather than performed.

In your Greek summer series, Human Stories, you spotlight the daily lives of everyday strangers. What drew you to this project, and what do you hope your audience takes away from it?

What drew me in was a feeling I can’t quite put into words—a quiet respect for the unseen lives that shape a place. It’s in the way a fisherman mends his net at dawn, or an old woman folds laundry with hands worn by time. These moments are fragile and raw, full of stories that don’t need telling because they live in the small details.

I wanted to create space for those stories to breathe, away from the noise of postcards and filters. For me, it’s about honoring the real pulse of the islands—the people who don’t often get seen but who carry the soul of these places. I hope when people watch, they feel invited to slow down, look closer and recognize that every stranger has a story that quietly connects us all.

What are your go-to spots for the summer and winter seasons?

For summer, definitely the Cyclades—places like Milos, Paros or Syros, where life still moves slowly and the sea feels endless. For winter… I wish I had a favorite! I often joke that I’m always trying to skip winter altogether. But if I had to choose, somewhere with a warm heart, even when the sun’s not out—southern Spain, Morocco, Sicily or Naples always call to me. That said, sometimes I’m drawn to something completely different—places like Puerto Rico or Mexico—where the energy is vibrant and the landscape bold.



How do you want people to feel when they come across your travel content?

I want people to feel calm—because I need that too. To know they’re not alone, that there are other souls who feel the same way, and that we can share this quiet moment together. I want to tell them: Don’t let anyone’s travels or successes make you feel down. If you can’t do it right now, that’s okay. Your time will come. Everyone’s perfect moment is different.

When do you feel most at peace?

I feel most at peace when I’m barefoot, salty-haired and watching the light shift over the sea—when the world feels like it’s gently breathing around me. In those moments, there’s a sacred quietness where time seems to slow down and everything feels connected. It’s not just about being alone, but about feeling truly present, whether I’m sharing that stillness with someone I love or simply sitting with myself.

For me, peace is a blend of deep emotion and vibrant energy. It’s in surrendering to the calm rhythm of the waves while also feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin. Those moments, where vulnerability and strength coexist, are when I find a rare kind of calm that fills my soul and frees my spirit.

But the most peaceful moments are also found in the simple rhythms of a summer day. Like on a warm afternoon, when the heat is heavy, I slip into the sea for a swim, then come home for a nap. I wake up to the scent of my grandmother frying eggplants and potatoes, with her preparing a yogurt-tomato sauce beside them. Those smells fill the air—the warmth of August, the hum of cicadas, the earthiness of the eggplants.

Later, I’m sitting with my grandmother and her neighbor over coffee, sharing quiet conversation, and it feels like the world has slowed just enough to breathe with me. That’s the most peaceful moment in the world. After enjoying her amazing cooking, I head back to the sea for another swim to catch the sunset.

It’s these small, everyday moments—the smells, the sounds, the company—that fill me with calm and remind me what true peace really feels like.

What’s your sun sign, and do you feel like it reflects who you are?

I’m a Pisces, and I truly feel it runs deep in who I am. I experience the world through my emotions—intense, sometimes overwhelming, but always real. My intuition guides me more than logic, and I tend to see life through a dreamy, poetic lens—always searching for meaning beneath the surface. I’m deeply empathetic and connected to the feelings of others in a way that can be both beautiful and challenging.

At the same time, I have a Leo ascendant that adds fire and courage to my nature. It gives me the drive to step into the spotlight, to express myself boldly, and to create with passion. This blend of softness and strength shapes how I move through life—sensitive but fiercely determined, imaginative but also grounded in my desire to make things happen.

In many ways, this combination is a constant dance between dreaming and doing, feeling deeply and shining brightly. It feels like the core of who I am, and I’m learning every day how to balance these two powerful energies.

What mantra do you live by?

Less but better. Never give up on local. Simplicity is the most beautiful thing. And as you embrace a slower life, everything feels lighter.


Best advice your mother gave you?

Be strong and equipped enough to rely on yourself when you’re alone. And sometimes, staying silent is the greatest virtue—especially when you’re arguing with someone whose mind you can’t change.


What travel destinations are on your bucket list?

So many! I’d love to explore more of Japan, Portugal and parts of South America that feel untouched by time. Guatemala, Peru, Cuba and Vietnam are definitely high on my list, as well as the wild beauty of Iceland. I’m also drawn to the countryside around London and the rugged landscapes of Scotland.

And then there’s my big dream—to visit every single livable Greek island I haven’t been to yet. There are still about 200 islands left, so that adventure will keep me busy for a while. It’s truly my goal until I die!

Dress: The Square Neck Dress in Mirage. Top: The Sinful in Sun Moon

Of all of the cities you’ve visited, where have you found the best food, beaches, shopping and nightlife?

  • Food: Mexico City, or anywhere in the Yucatán (especially Tulum)—the flavors, the soul, the warmth in every dish. Morocco is unforgettable too, with its rich spices and vibrant street food.
  • Beaches: The Cyclades and the Dodecanese islands, plus Türkiye’s southern and northern Aegean coasts—around Bodrum and İzmir—where the water is impossibly clear and the vibes are slow and endless.
  • Shopping: London for its edgy, modern vibe and Paris for timeless pieces, but I love local markets and artisans most of all.
  • Nightlife: I’m more of a slow-dinner-under-the-stars kind of person than nightlife! But Istanbul has a magic that carries you through the night.

THREE MOTHER PIECES YOU WOULD TAKE ON A TRIP?

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