As the world capital of aeronautics and the birthplace of the renowned Airbus, Toulouse is a hub for aviation enthusiasts. For a really exceptional visit, head to the Lagardère site, 10 km from Toulouse, and learn everything there is to know about how a plane is built, how a plane functions, and how it is tested. Several tours are organised on different themes: discovery experience, panoramic visit, and green tour.

Close to Toulouse, there is a zoo that has an African safari theme. The animals are in semi-freedom and often cohabited, so it feels very natural. The excursion begins with a two-kilometre drive along the trail where you can observe creatures such as lions and ostriches from your car, then continues on foot where you'll encounter 600 animals, including farm animals.

Former slaughterhouse turned museum of modern and contemporary art, Les Abattoirs hosts exhibitions, concerts, and performances as well. Located by the river and sided by a garden, this impressive brick building is not to be missed when visiting Toulouse. Its masterpiece is a Picasso from 1936.

For a memorable night of cultural immersion, visit an evening show at the Nha Trang Water Puppet Theatre. Water puppetry as an art form originated in northern Vietnam as early as the 11th century and is kept alive by a small number of enthusiasts. Although production value is no match to that of bigger cities, the show itself feels thought out and intimate thanks to the smaller performance room. The show is narrated in Vietnamese, but the visual emphasis and engaging subject matter – folk tales and legends – make it easy to follow even if you don't speak the language.