Visit Bruges and stay in a hotel fit for a little prince or princess. The Kempinski Hotel Dukes’ Palace is a former 15th-century castle in the heart of Bruges – perfect for embarking upon a chocolate-tasting tour. Children will love the indoor pool

Pity poor Prince Johann Wilhelm II. He constructed a palatial pad near Cologne to impress his new wife but died in 1716 before they had the chance to use it. The palace has now been transformed into the rather regal Grandhotel Schloss Bensberg

A holiday to the Swiss village of Gstaad conjures up images of skiing on snow-coated mountains. But visiting in summertime has its own charms, particularly if you stay at the luxe Gstaad Palace. There’s a host of top-class restaurants, a hamman

terraces with stunning views.Stay at… The Dubrovnik Palace or, for a quirky alternative, try the Lighthouse Grebeni.For more ideas for holidays in Europe, see our Travel section.

-round sunshine of the island ensures a host of watersports are also available, while tennis enthusiasts and sailing pros are also well catered for. Nearby attractions include Knossos Palace, the remnants of the great Minoan kingdom.Prices start from £2

. The Parque das Nações on the northeastern riverfront has the Oceanarium, the largest aquarium in Europe, home to 25,000 fish, birds and mammals, and is strikingly designed with a two-storey aquarium that features wildlife from across the globe. Travel from