Discover Ottoman heritage, Black Sea mountains, Uzungol Lake, Ayder Plateau, Bursa and the Bosphorus on one unforgettable Turkey family holiday — a wonderful balance of culture, nature, relaxation and discovery, thoughtfully arranged for families.
Discover three remarkable sides of Türkiye on this 10-day family comfort tour from Istanbul, combining imperial history, Black Sea landscapes, mountain villages, Ottoman heritage, scenic ferry journeys and relaxed family-friendly sightseeing. From the magnificent historic heart of Istanbul to the emerald mountains surrounding Trabzon, from the misty beauty of Ayder Plateau and peaceful Uzungol Lake to the former Ottoman capital of Bursa, this carefully arranged journey introduces your family to Türkiye through a genuine balance of culture, nature, relaxation and discovery.
The itinerary combines guided sightseeing, domestic flights, airport transfers, hotel accommodation, scenic ferry transportation and daily breakfasts, making it an especially attractive option for families who would rather not organise every hotel, transfer, flight and sightseeing arrangement independently. The tour is normally operated as a small-group experience, typically 6–15 guests travelling together by minibus or minivan, though a fully private version with your own vehicle, guide and pace is available on request.
Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, Bursa's Grand Mosque and centuries of imperial history.
Sail between two continents, then trade the city skyline for tea gardens and green mountains.
Highland plateaus, mountain lakes and a scenic cable-car ride above Bursa.
Comfortable pacing, family-friendly sightseeing and attentive support throughout the trip.
Private airport transfers, domestic flights and comfortable minibus/minivan touring.
Knowledgeable English-speaking guiding across every included sightseeing day.
Istanbul–Trabzon flights arranged and timed around the rest of your itinerary.
9 nights across three cities, chosen for comfort and convenient locations.
A responsive team happy to tailor room configuration, pacing and add-ons for your family.
Every day of this journey is built around a genuine highlight — a monument, a landscape or a cultural experience your family will still be talking about long after you're home.
One of the world's most celebrated architectural landmarks, with a monumental dome and centuries of imperial and religious history.
Famous for its graceful domes, six minarets and shimmering İznik tilework — one of Istanbul's defining silhouettes.
A legendary maze of passages, jewellery, textiles and traditional crafts — one of the world's oldest covered markets.
A misty highland plateau reached through tea gardens and the dramatic scenery of Firtına Stream.
A mountain lake framed by forested slopes — one of the signature photo stops of the whole trip.
Ride above Bursa for panoramic mountain views — a highlight for children and adults alike.
Relax with traditional Turkish tea beneath a plane tree said to be more than 600 years old.
Sail the legendary waterway between Europe and Asia, passing Rumeli Fortress along the way.
Below is the complete day-by-day programme, including every historic site, natural landmark and cultural stop included in the tour. Tap any day to see the full details.
Welcome to Istanbul, the spectacular city where Europe and Asia meet. Upon arrival at Istanbul Airport (IST) or Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW), your representative will greet you and assist with a private transfer to your hotel.
The first day is intentionally unhurried, giving your family time to settle in after the international journey. Istanbul is celebrated worldwide for its extraordinary blend of imperial history, dramatic waterfront scenery, historic mosques, vibrant bazaars and multicultural atmosphere — and you'll have the rest of the trip to explore it properly. Depending on your arrival time, enjoy a relaxed evening at leisure.
After breakfast, begin your introduction to Istanbul's extraordinary historic centre. Sultanahmet is the heart of the Old City, the district from which both the Byzantine and Ottoman Empires were ruled for centuries.
One of Istanbul's most celebrated architectural landmarks. Its monumental scale, extraordinary dome and centuries of religious and imperial history make it an essential family experience — and an engaging introduction to the many civilisations that have shaped the city.
Famous for its elegant architecture and celebrated İznik tiles, the Blue Mosque's graceful domes and minarets create one of the most photographed skylines in the world.
Once the centre of public life in ancient Constantinople, home to the Obelisk of Theodosius, the Serpentine Column and the German Fountain of Wilhelm II — a fascinating glimpse into Istanbul's imperial past.
End the day's sightseeing at one of the world's great historic covered marketplaces — a maze of passages, colourful displays, jewellery, textiles and traditional Turkish shopping culture that families love to explore.
After breakfast, transfer from your Istanbul hotel to the airport for your domestic flight to Trabzon. Upon arrival, meet your transfer service and continue to your city-centre hotel.
Trabzon is one of the most fascinating destinations along Türkiye's Black Sea coast, combining lush mountain scenery, historic traditions and a distinctive regional culture. The journey creates a dramatic change of scenery — from the monumental urban landscape of Istanbul to the green valleys and mountains of the Black Sea. Enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure.
After breakfast, depart for a spectacular journey toward Ayder Plateau, passing through some of the most beautiful scenery in the eastern Black Sea region.
Your first stop introduces regional traditions and Laz cultural heritage — a wonderful window into the connection between craftsmanship, identity and everyday life on the Black Sea coast.
Continue through lush green tea-growing hillsides toward Firtina Stream, one of the region's most picturesque natural features — flowing water, dense greenery and dramatic mountains.
Arrive at one of the best-known highland destinations in the eastern Black Sea, with time to enjoy the mountain atmosphere, waterfalls and surrounding scenery.
Stop near a historic Ottoman stone bridge beside Firtina Stream — a memorable combination of traditional architecture and dramatic natural scenery, ideal for family photos.
After breakfast, begin your journey toward the spectacular Uzungol region — one of the Black Sea's most photogenic landscapes.
Surmene is famous for its knife-making tradition, making this a fascinating cultural stop for anyone interested in Turkish artisan heritage.
Discover how tea travels from the green gardens of the Black Sea region to the glass on a Turkish table, including a look at the tea-collecting process.
Free time beside Uzungol Lake — mountains, forested slopes and calm water combine into one of the signature landscapes of the Trabzon region. Ideal for photos, lunch and a relaxed family walk.
A short stop at the Wooden Tiled Bridge on the way back to Trabzon rounds off a day full of Black Sea scenery.
After breakfast, transfer to Trabzon Airport for your flight back to Istanbul. Upon arrival, continue toward Bursa by ferry — a pleasant, scenic transition from the Black Sea region toward one of Türkiye's most historically important Ottoman cities.
Bursa offers a fascinating combination of Ottoman heritage, traditional markets, mountain scenery and local culinary culture, and will be your base for the next stage of the journey.
After breakfast, depart from your city-centre hotel for a full-day Bursa sightseeing experience, beginning with a ferry crossing via Yalova that offers lovely countryside scenery on the way.
Enjoy Bursa's most famous culinary speciality — a memorable, and delicious, introduction to local cuisine for the whole family.
Ride the cable car up Uludag, the legendary mountain associated with Mount Olympos, for panoramic views over Bursa and the surrounding countryside.
Visit Ulucami, Bursa's imposing Grand Mosque, followed by the elegant Green Mosque and neighbouring Green Mausoleum — two of the city's most significant Ottoman monuments.
Browse Bursa's historic Silk Market in the Covered Bazaar, then unwind with traditional Turkish tea beneath the famous Inkaya Plane Tree, said to be more than 600 years old.
After breakfast, transfer back to Istanbul by ferry, enjoying the relaxing journey and changing scenery along the way. Upon arrival, transfer onward as arranged and enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure — ideal for family time, extra shopping, relaxing at the hotel or independently discovering more of Istanbul.
After breakfast, enjoy one of Istanbul's most memorable experiences: a Bosphorus cruise along the spectacular waterway separating Europe and Asia, offering a completely different perspective of the city's waterfront, palaces, fortifications and skyline.
Visit the famous Egyptian/Spice Bazaar — a colourful, fragrant atmosphere of traditional products and lively shopping culture.
See Rumeli Fortress from the boat during the cruise (viewed from the water only, no interior visit).
After breakfast, enjoy your remaining free time until your transfer to Istanbul Airport or Sabiha Gökçen Airport for your international departure. Your 10-day Istanbul, Trabzon and Bursa family holiday comes to an end with memories of Ottoman architecture, Black Sea mountains, tea gardens, historic bazaars, mountain lakes, ferry journeys and Turkish hospitality.
Istanbul is the perfect opening and closing destination for this Türkiye family journey. The city's historic centre brings together monumental landmarks from both the Byzantine and Ottoman eras, while the Bosphorus offers the unforgettable experience of seeing Europe and Asia connected by water. Sultanahmet, Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the Hippodrome, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Bazaar and a Bosphorus cruise past Rumeli Fortress are all included in this tour.
Trabzon opens the door to a completely different Türkiye. Here, dense green mountains descend toward the Black Sea, tea gardens cover the landscape, traditional crafts remain part of everyday life, and highland destinations offer fresh air and spectacular scenery. This section of the tour is particularly attractive for families who want to combine nature, culture and relaxed sightseeing after several days in the city.
Ayder is one of the most atmospheric highland destinations in the itinerary. Surrounded by lush mountain scenery, flowing water and waterfalls, the plateau provides a refreshing contrast to the urban energy of Istanbul. The route there, winding through tea gardens and along Firtina Stream, is very much part of the experience — expect plenty of stops for photographs along the way.
Uzungol is one of the signature natural attractions of the Trabzon region. The lake sits within a spectacular mountain landscape surrounded by forest, creating a peaceful setting for photographs, family walks, lunch and unhurried leisure time. The itinerary intentionally builds in free time around the lake, so your family can enjoy the scenery at your own pace rather than rushing between stops.
Bursa is one of Türkiye's great historic cities and served as an important early Ottoman capital. Its appeal lies in the combination of Ottoman mosques, historic markets, silk-trade heritage, traditional cuisine, Uludag mountain scenery, a memorable cable-car experience, and centuries-old plane trees. The tour introduces Bursa through both its historic centre and its natural surroundings, giving families a genuine change of pace after the Black Sea leg of the trip.
Based on the structure of this itinerary, here's how to get the most out of your Istanbul, Trabzon and Bursa family journey.
If your family values privacy, flexible pacing and a more personalised rhythm, ask for the private-tour option — available on request across the whole itinerary.
Ayder and Uzungol are scenic highlights, not checklist stops. Build in time for photography, short walks and simply enjoying the landscape.
Children especially enjoy the Grand Bazaar, the Bosphorus cruise, the ferry rides and visually striking landmarks like Hagia Sophia and the Blue Mosque.
Bursa's Iskender-style kebab is a highlight in its own right — a great opportunity to introduce the family to authentic Turkish cuisine.
Families should confirm exact room arrangements (double, triple or two double rooms) before booking, especially when travelling with children.
Two 4★ pricing tiers are available for this itinerary — our team is happy to walk you through the difference before you book.
The rates below are per person, based on shared twin/double occupancy, and are valid until 15 December 2026 (excluding special occasions and peak dates). Because the exact rate depends on your final group size and room configuration, treat the figures here as a starting guide — our team will confirm your personalised quote once we know your travel dates and party size.
| Travellers | Price Per Person | Room Arrangement |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Traveller | €1,825 | Single Room |
| 2 Travellers | €1,375 | Double Room |
| 3 Travellers | €1,295 | 1 Triple Room |
| 4 Travellers | €1,215 | 2 Double Rooms |
| 5–10 Travellers | Please Ask | On Request |
Hotel category note: an upgraded 4★ pricing tier is also available for this itinerary at a higher rate. Our reservations team is happy to explain the exact difference in hotel selection and confirm which category applies to your preferred travel dates before you book.
Have questions, or not ready to reserve yet? Tell us your travel dates and party size and we'll reply within a few hours with your personalised family tour price.
Choose private or small group, select your travellers, and provide your details. We'll confirm availability within a few hours.
Free cancellation up to 48 hours before the tour date. Cancellations within 48 hours are non-refundable. Date changes are accommodated subject to availability.