Context Launches Walking Tours of Istanbul for Families

 

Bringing the kids to Turkey? Wondering how to keep them entertained while making the most of the city? No problem. Context Travel has just announced the expansion of its  family program in Istanbul, with two new walking tours designed specifically for kids 12 and under, designed by museum educators and teachers.

Sultan’s Way takes children into Topkapi Palace with a trained Ottoman historian for a hands-on learning experience. Using the figure of the sultan and his life as the narrative thread, museum educators with Context have designed a series of activities for kids that introduce basic ideas of Ottoman history and reveal the extent and power of the Ottoman Empire, at one time the largest empire in the world.

Young Archaeologists of the Ancient Orient focuses on Istanbul's famed Archaeological Museum, home of one of the world's best collections of antiquities. Designed for families with children between primary and middle school, this kid-friendly walking tour uses objects from Mesopotamia to the Ottoman period to tell a tale of ancient empires. 

“Istanbul is a city of layers,” explains Ceylan Zere, manager of Context in Istanbul and a mother who raised her own son in the museums and monuments of the city, “It can be complicated and daunting, especially for parents of young children. These tours flip that dynamic around. They make the city accessible, reveal the richness of Istanbul, and take children back in time."

Context's Family Program employs museum educators, teachers, and other experts trained in such inquiry-based learning techniques as Visual Thinking Strategies (VTS) to create interactive tour experiences for children under 12. 

Sultans Way launches March 7, and the private tours last three hours. Young Archaeologists of the Ancient Orient also launches March 7 and lasts 2.5 hours.