Vienna

Among the best family vacations in Europe that you must visit is Vienna. History is at the heart of Vienna both literally and figuratively. The narrow streets of the Innere Stadt (Inner City) snake through antiquated buildings, providing an atmosphere so authentic that you almost expect a Vienna native-like composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart or psychologist Sigmund Freud to round a cobblestone corner and greet you with "Guten Tag". Extravagant baroque palaces from the Habsburg Monarchy loom over the city, just as Mozart's classical arias pour from contemporary cafes. If it's the culture you seek, you'll find it here.

But there's more to this city than just music and monarchs. Vienna is also a great place to spend some cash, with independent bookstores competing for business alongside haute couture. There are also a surprising number of attractions for young ones, including an amusement park and a top-notch zoo. And although many Viennese retire early in the night, that doesn't mean you have to; sneak out to one of the bars along the city's Bermuda Triangle, or drop by one of the wine taverns skirting the Vienna Woods.

• Country: Austria
• Best Hotels: Park Hyatt Vienna; Hotel Sacher Wien; Hotel Sans Souci Wien
• Best Things to Do: St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom); Museum of Fine Arts (Kunsthistorisches Museum); Schönbrunn Palace
• Best Months to Visit: April to May or September to October