Wilhelma is Stuttgart’s unique zoological and botanical garden, set in a 19th-century Moorish-style palace complex built for King Wilhelm I. It’s the only place in Germany that combines a zoo and botanical garden, with around 11,000 animals from roughly 1,200 species, and about 8,500 plant species from all over the world. The grounds are a mix of historic architecture, greenhouses, and themed enclosures like the new Terra Australis area, home to koalas and other Australian species.

Even if ancient ruins aren't your cup of tea, a trip to an archaeological site is worth the detour. The journey will take you through the quaint countryside, threading through small towns and villages that might otherwise escape your notice. Just a few kilometres from the holiday resort of Altinkum, in Yenihisar, you'll find Didyma — home to a grand temple dedicated to Apollo. Didyma was more than a religious site; its oracle rivalled the fame of Delphi's. While the original temple was destroyed by the Persians around 400 BC, the existing ruins hail from the Roman times. The remnants of 120 columns stand as testament to the temple's once monumental size.

Located only a short walk outside the old town, the Lille Zoo is a pleasant afternoon pastime for the whole family. Ticket prices are times lower than those at an average west European zoo, all animals are well looked after, and an impressive collection of species for a zoo of such compact size is represented.