An ancient Chinese myth states that the world’s first god – the Jade Emperor – designed the zodiac. The 12 most auspicious animals held a great race to go to the emperor’s party, and it was decreed that the animals would be placed in the zodiac in the order in which they arrived. High jinks ensued as each animal played to their natural strengths in a bid to get there first.

Parents understand that ensuring the entire family remains happy during a vacation is quite a challenge. It requires more than just a shallow kiddie pool for a hotel to be deemed child-friendly. In recent years, a variety of travel organizations—ranging from boutique hotels to cruise lines, significant international and domestic airports, and tour operators—have shown a commitment to attracting families on the go. These companies have enhanced their childcare programs, curated exclusive activities for teenagers, and thoughtfully created opportunities for parents to take much-needed breaks from parenting while also facilitating family bonding experiences. That outdated kiddie pool? It has been transformed into a luxurious four-story, translucent water coaster that traverses the oceans.

Whether it’s a thousand-year-old castle, a chic new Alpine resort, or a grande dame hotel, each of the properties that made our list of the best resorts in Europe has an incredible sense of place. At these properties, travelers can experience the best the country and culture has to offer without ever leaving the grounds.