Water parks in Europe: where the best slides are

Europe's water park scene splits into three camps: year-round indoor worlds (Rulantica next to Europa-Park, Tropical Islands under its Brandenburg dome, Aquapalace Praha), Mediterranean summer parks (Aqualandia, Slide & Splash, Illa Fantasia) — and then Siam Park in Tenerife, which sits in a category of its own and keeps winning world's-best awards.

The guides below cover what a day actually costs, when slides open and close for the season, which parks justify a premium cabana or fast pass, and how to reach each one without a rental car where possible.