FRANKFURT

A cosmopolitan city, Frankfurt is one of the largest European financial centres, which has earned it the nickname 'Bankfurt' in reference to the many banks headquartered there, including the European Central Bank. Totally destroyed during the Second World War, the city is now looking to the future, and apart from the historic Römer Quarter and its identically rebuilt buildings, its architecture is in the very image of its dynamism. Just look up to admire the impressive glass edifices designed by top architects like Norman Foster. It is often called 'Mainhattan' because of its many skyscrapers and the 'Main' river running through it. Not just financial but also cultural capital is cultivated in Frankfurt, and the quality of life is high, often ranked among the top ten cities in the world. In the city centre, the distances are short: you can move about by foot or 'bicycle taxi' around the streets near Römerberg Square, admiring the half-timbered houses or stopping for a drink or dinner in one of many charming taverns. After, stop in at Goethe House, where he wrote The Sorrows of Young Werther. Just a few steps away is the bustling area around the train station, now totally renovated and home to trendy bars and restaurants. The south side of the river is called 'the museum bank' because of its 38 museums, surrounded by parks and gardens an exceptional panorama of culture and architecture. If you only have time to visit one, choose the 'Städel', famous for its extensive collection of art works by the likes of Joseph Beuys, Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol, and Gerhard Richter. Finally, take a one or two-hour sightseeing cruise down the Main, to gain an entirely different perspective on the city.