Classic Scenery and Small Towns

About Frankfurt

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Messe The city is known for the Messe Frankfurt, (Messe is German for Industrial Fair) which is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. In 1240 the Emperor Frederick II launched the first “Autumn Fair” and they’ve never looked back! The Main Tower Like most major cities in the world, Frankfurt too has its Tower and observation deck  (Aussichtsplattform) on Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58. This is one of the best places to get an amazing view of this fascinating city and capture that “Kodak Moment” (there is a fee to pay in order to get to the roof).   Goethe House  Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in this house on Grosser Hirschgraben. As we all know he was a famous writer, poet, scientist, statesman – he was a real polymath. It was here that he wrote the first draft of what was his most famous book “Faust”. During WWII, the original Goethe House was bombed but was eventually rebuilt. The Goethe House and the Deutsches Romantik-Museum which has a permanent exhibition about Goethe’s early years are next to each other. St Paul's Church (Paulskirche Church)  Once the main Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frankfurt, stands St Paul's Church which was built in 1833 on Paulsplatz 11. However today it is an exhibition hall or a national assembly hall. A plaque on the outer wall commemorates the visit of the American President J.F. Kennedy to the church in 1963. It was on this visit, at the height of the Cold War, that he gave a speech in Berlin with the famous phrase "I am a Berliner" (Ich bin ein Berliner). City Hall (Römer) in the Old Town of Frankfurt on Römerberg plaza you can visit Römer, as the city hall is called. The Rathaus (city hall) was “put together” in the early 1400’s by combining two medieval houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", to become one town hall.  Together with the covered bridge called the Seufzerbrücke (the "Bridge of Sighs"- mimicking the “real” Bridge of Sighs in Venice) they are definite, impressive landmarks. In front of these buildings, in the middle of the square is the Fountain of Justice (The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) from the mid 1500’s.  Don’t miss the Ostzeile area with six half-timbered houses which were restored to their former selves after being heavily bombed during WWII. Secret:  You can take time out for a meal in a restaurant called the Haus Wertheym  which is housed in one such half-timber house that remained intact and unscathed. The Frankfurt Cathedral, Roman Catholic - Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew (German: Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus): A narrow pedestrian street leads you from the Town Hall towards the Dom Cathedral.  All these the buildings were also restored, having been totally ruined during WWII. The interior of the cathedral is impressive and if you can climb the to the top from the observation deck you will have your “Kodak Moment” – a spectacular view of the Old Town The Opera House The Frankfurt Opera’s impressive building is easily accessible by public transport and is located near the city's green ring. The original building was built in the late 1800’s and had the honor of Mozart’s Don Giovanni “opening” Frankfurt’s first major opera/concert hall. Unfortunately, this building as well as many treasured older buildings was destroyed in WWII and it took almost 40 years to reconstruct an updated, contemporary concert hall. Shopping and food: Finally, we can relax on Zeil Street along the pedestrian mall near the Old City where there is a wide selection of department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend that you take this opportunity to taste and enjoy the well-known Wurstchen Sausage and for dessert to order the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies. Museums If it is icons that are of interest to you, then a visit the Ikonenmuseum Museum of Icons is a must! The high-quality exhibition is presented here for the Aficionado who will appreciate the exciting and extensive collection of diverse items.  This is one of several special and unique museums on the bank opposite the Old City. Frankfurt's old bridge takes you across and the museums are a short walk away on the Sachsenhauser street parallel to the River Main Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank  Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank: Everybody loves money and here is an opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about this currency. Explore the world of money! In this fascinating museum, you will find the answers to any questions you have about money. It is entertaining and educational! Exhibits, media stations, interactive games, answers to questions like: How is cash produced? How does monetary policy work and what exactly does a central bank do? What role does money play in a globalised world? You will get answers to your questions as well participate in exciting hands-on exhibits and media stations. Suitable for all ages, the exhibition is both in German and English. “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George LorimerSecret: There is no fee, free entrance Note: During WWII hundreds of bombs were dropped on Frankfurt and as a result most of the “original” Old Town was wiped out and had to be rebuilt. 

About Weimar

Weimar is a city in Germany. The city was a focal point of the German Enlightenment and home of the leading characters of the literary genre of Weimar Classicism, the writers Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. Today, many places in the city centre have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites (either as part of the Weimar Classicism complex or as part of the Bauhaus complex). Relevant institutions in Weimar are the Bauhaus University, the Liszt School of Music, the Duchess Anna Amalia Library and two leading courts of Thuringia

Weimar is a city in Germany. The city was a focal point of the German Enlightenment and home of the leading characters of the literary genre of Weimar Classicism, the writers Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller. Today, many places in the city centre have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites (either as part of the Weimar Classicism complex or as part of the Bauhaus complex). Relevant institutions in Weimar are the Bauhaus University, the Liszt School of Music, the Duchess Anna Amalia Library and two leading courts of Thuringia

About Rothenburg

Rothenburg is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town. It is part of the popular Romantic Road through southern Germany. In 1170 the city of Rothenburg was founded at the time of the building of Staufer Castle. In October 1631, during the Thirty Years' War, the Count of Tilly, wanted to quarter his 40,000 troops in Rothenburg. Rather than allow entrance, the town defended itself. However, Tilly's troops quickly defeated Rothenburg. and in 1634 the Black Death killed many more townsfolk. Without any money or power, Rothenburg stopped growing, thus preserving its 17th-century state. sites include The Criminal Museum, Imperial City Museum and the Rathaus (town hall).

Rothenburg is well known for its well-preserved medieval old town. It is part of the popular Romantic Road through southern Germany. In 1170 the city of Rothenburg was founded at the time of the building of Staufer Castle. In October 1631, during the Thirty Years' War, the Count of Tilly, wanted to quarter his 40,000 troops in Rothenburg. Rather than allow entrance, the town defended itself. However, Tilly's troops quickly defeated Rothenburg. and in 1634 the Black Death killed many more townsfolk. Without any money or power, Rothenburg stopped growing, thus preserving its 17th-century state. sites include The Criminal Museum, Imperial City Museum and the Rathaus (town hall).

About Passau

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. With 17,774 pipes and 233 registers, the organ at St. Stephen's was long held to be the largest church pipe organ in the world and is today second in size only to the organ at First Congregational Church, Los Angeles. Organ concerts are held daily between May and September. St.Stephen's is a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque. Many river cruises down the Danube start at Passau and there is a cycling path all the way down to Vienna. It is also notable for its gothic and baroque architecture.

Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north. With 17,774 pipes and 233 registers, the organ at St. Stephen's was long held to be the largest church pipe organ in the world and is today second in size only to the organ at First Congregational Church, Los Angeles. Organ concerts are held daily between May and September. St.Stephen's is a true masterpiece of Italian Baroque. Many river cruises down the Danube start at Passau and there is a cycling path all the way down to Vienna. It is also notable for its gothic and baroque architecture.

About Lindau

Lindau is a Bavarian town and an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance, Germany. Lindau is a main-sightseeing spot in the very South of Germany. Visitors from all over the world are mostly visiting in Summer. Lindau is famous for its rich, old town houses and varity of different buildings. The gardens of Lindau are wonderful in summer blossom.

Lindau is a Bavarian town and an island on the eastern side of Lake Constance, Germany. Lindau is a main-sightseeing spot in the very South of Germany. Visitors from all over the world are mostly visiting in Summer. Lindau is famous for its rich, old town houses and varity of different buildings. The gardens of Lindau are wonderful in summer blossom.

About Baden Baden

Former US president, Bill Clinton, once visited the city of Baden-Baden. With his characteristic sense of humor he quipped, “Baden-Baden is so nice they had to name it twice”. Indeed it is one of the most charming cities in Germany. As Johannes Brahms, the famous German composer from the 1800’s said of the city of thermal springs and spas, “I've always been passionate about Baden-Baden." The virtues of the springs the Romans had already discovered when they ruled in that region at the beginning of the first millennium CE. This is where they first constructed the first bathhouses, where they planted the first vines which they brought with them from “the Boot Country”, the moniker for Italy.

Former US president, Bill Clinton, once visited the city of Baden-Baden. With his characteristic sense of humor he quipped, “Baden-Baden is so nice they had to name it twice”. Indeed it is one of the most charming cities in Germany. As Johannes Brahms, the famous German composer from the 1800’s said of the city of thermal springs and spas, “I've always been passionate about Baden-Baden." The virtues of the springs the Romans had already discovered when they ruled in that region at the beginning of the first millennium CE. This is where they first constructed the first bathhouses, where they planted the first vines which they brought with them from “the Boot Country”, the moniker for Italy.

It was here in the city where they planted the first vines brought with them from the “Boot Country” with which they built the first bathhouses. Riesling grapes were predominantly grown in the high-quality vineyards on the sun-drenched slopes.  After the Romans departed, the monasteries claimed the Riesling-growing vineyards in the area that is known as the most beautiful wine route called Rabland (see The Wine Route). Situated in one of the exciting geographical areas on the western side of the Black Forest, distinguished by year-round comfortable weather. Baden-Baden can be a great jumping-off point for many hiking treks, both for vacationers and serious hikers alike.  From Baden-Baden you have a choice and can take The Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße) with incredible views along one of the oldest themed-drive in Germany, or go from the west toward the Alsace area in France, or via the German Wine Route. (The Wine-Route Trip Planner). Since the walking route is not long and is accessible for everyone, before we travel outside of Baden-Baden, we can wander around for a few hours visiting the picturesque city sites, including a must-visit to the famous Roman baths, the spa, the numerous hotels, treatment clinics, leisure facilities, of course the renowned casino and one of the most impressive buildings – the Trinkhalle, which was built in1839. The Trinkhalle is a 300-feet-long pump room and has 14 most stunning frescos portraying urban myths about Baden-Baden. When inside the Trinkhalle you can taste fresh water from the Friedrichsquelle. Visit the incredible Faberge Museum on the main boulevard. It houses a unique collection of pieces of art and jewelry by the Russian jeweler Peter Faberge who designed and created for the Imperial Court in Moscow at the end of the 19th century. The Karlsruhe/Baden Baden (FKB) Airport serves the region for domestic flights as well as international flights."

About Koblenz

What’s the common denominator between (1) the unforgettable famous Deutsches Eck, (2) Max and (und) Moritz, (3) the little boy that spits erratically at those who walk by, (4) the quote "Mr. Inspector, write a report that the man’s dog urinated twice on my husband." If you said the city of Koblenz – then you are right!  That is Koblenz – fun, interesting and beautiful and also on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site because of the riverfront area between Deutsches Eck and the Rüdesheim/Bingen. Koblenz is home to the playful, impish boys, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the tongue-in cheek statue Schangelbrunnen in front of the Town Hall with the plaque “Mr. Inspector” etc.

What’s the common denominator between (1) the unforgettable famous Deutsches Eck, (2) Max and (und) Moritz, (3) the little boy that spits erratically at those who walk by, (4) the quote "Mr. Inspector, write a report that the man’s dog urinated twice on my husband." If you said the city of Koblenz – then you are right!  That is Koblenz – fun, interesting and beautiful and also on the list of UNESCO World Heritage site because of the riverfront area between Deutsches Eck and the Rüdesheim/Bingen. Koblenz is home to the playful, impish boys, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the tongue-in cheek statue Schangelbrunnen in front of the Town Hall with the plaque “Mr. Inspector” etc.

The city of Koblenz is located at the convergence of the Rhine and Moselle rivers and at the northern mouth of the Rhine Valley, which extends to Rudesheim in the south. This is an easy starting point for exploring this beautiful and ancient city, the “German Corner” (Deutsche Eck) which is where the Moselle and Rhine rivers meet. Note: The Rhine Gorge was declared a World Heritage Site in 2002, with Koblenz marking the northern end. Many sites in the city have a 2000-year history: buildings, fortresses, churches, mansion, homes of the rich with spacious courtyards, located in breath-taking landscapes, with flowing rivers, mountains, forests and green fields. Erected in 1870 the giant statue of Wilhelm I, who was first German Emperor, stands proudly in the Deutsche Eck, with reliefs of the states of reunified Germany on the wall. The statue that we see now was reconstructed and re-erected in 1993 due to the fact that at the end of WWII it was destroyed. Kodak Moment: If you climb the inner stairs to the top of the monument to the platform, you will be able to capture a unique photo of the coming together of the Moselle River and Rhine River.  As well you’ll be able to get a shot of the city’s most memorable landmark, the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, which is on the other side. It can be reached by cable car. Whilst there, do take time to enjoy the State Museum of Koblenz, which has four exhibition buildings. Note: If you are coming by car there is a parking lot near the entrance to the building of the Ehrenbreitstein Fortress Cultural Centre. Continuing towards the Moselle River there is a pedestrian path leading to the Ludwig Museum named for the art collectors who established this contemporary art museum in the Deutschesherrenhaus, a former bastion of the 12th century. Continuing on your walk via the courtyard you will reach the Basilica of St. Castor (Kastorkirche) which was consecrated in 836, making it the oldest church in Koblenz.  The monastery-church was named for Saint Castor of Karden who founded a religious community in Karden, when, in the fourth century, he was sent on a mission to the Moselle region. A monument-fountain (Kastorbrunnen) which was built in 1812, stands in front of the basilica, a testimony of the Napoleonic Wars, which helps us to understand the French-German lifestyle, including architectural styles and even local cuisines. Gorresplatz Square (Josef Goress Platz) has an impressive modern 10-meter bronze history column depicting the history of the city from Roman times (at its base) to the future of the city (at its apex). A nearby sign explains the different periods during the first two thousand years. Town Hall: On the Willi-Horter-Platz, the amusing bronze statue Schangelbrunnen stands in the courtyard surrounded by the Renaissance and Baroque buildings. This is from the period when the French ruled the city and it was popular for parents to name their children Schang (the German version of French “Jean”) named after the iconic sculpture of the little boy that spits erratically at those who walk by. Note: When you walk through the city, look down and you’ll see the city sewer covers have a relief of the spitting child. Another humorous statue from the 19th century which is on Munzplatz Square, depicts a woman with a basket of vegetables complaining to the inspector/policeman: The plaque reads as follows (loosely translated): "Mr. Inspector, write a report that the man’s dog urinated twice on my husband." The outer wall of a local (presently) snack bar "Zum Eßkesselchen" is decorated with a scene from the stories of "Max and (und) Moritz" written and illustrated by Wilhelm Busch. This famous work, often referred to as the precursor of comics as we know it today, was published around 1865.   The Church of Our Beloved Lady (Liebfrauenkirche), was built on a site where it is assumed churches and cult structures were built from the 5th century. From the 15th century on it has been renovated and converted many times on the original foundations. It was also badly damaged during WWII and as a result reconstructed in in the early 1950’s. The congregation of this church is still active and is one of the oldest in Koblenz and one can hear choirs and music as well as bells coming from the church. The bells have been ringing since the beginning of the 17th century; the towers were renovated. And if you’d like to hear the bells, at 22:00 every night there is a carillon warning that the city gates are closing. Lohstrasse is a pedestrian shopping mall, with a wide range of shops, cafes, restaurants where it is worth to ask for the local dish Rieslings Schnitte (high in calories but worth it).  

About Frankfurt

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Frankfurt Am Main, less than 40 km from the Rhine, is first and foremost the financial center of Germany. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange, more than 400 years old, was established in 1585. Frankfurt’s modern skyline with its many skyscrapers is what gave it the moniker: "Mainhatten” which is obviously a portmanteau of the two words (Main, the river and New York’s Manhattan). These tall buildings makes for a most impressive modern “skyscraper skytline” with its own “twin towers” of the Deutsche Bank, the Eurotower etc.  Occasionally, there is a (free) Skyscraper Festival – so keep your eyes and ears open and perhaps there will be one this year or next year!

Messe The city is known for the Messe Frankfurt, (Messe is German for Industrial Fair) which is the world's largest trade fair, congress and event organizer with its own exhibition grounds. In 1240 the Emperor Frederick II launched the first “Autumn Fair” and they’ve never looked back! The Main Tower Like most major cities in the world, Frankfurt too has its Tower and observation deck  (Aussichtsplattform) on Neue Mainzer Str. 52–58. This is one of the best places to get an amazing view of this fascinating city and capture that “Kodak Moment” (there is a fee to pay in order to get to the roof).   Goethe House  Johan Wolfgang von Goethe was born in this house on Grosser Hirschgraben. As we all know he was a famous writer, poet, scientist, statesman – he was a real polymath. It was here that he wrote the first draft of what was his most famous book “Faust”. During WWII, the original Goethe House was bombed but was eventually rebuilt. The Goethe House and the Deutsches Romantik-Museum which has a permanent exhibition about Goethe’s early years are next to each other. St Paul's Church (Paulskirche Church)  Once the main Evangelical Lutheran Church of Frankfurt, stands St Paul's Church which was built in 1833 on Paulsplatz 11. However today it is an exhibition hall or a national assembly hall. A plaque on the outer wall commemorates the visit of the American President J.F. Kennedy to the church in 1963. It was on this visit, at the height of the Cold War, that he gave a speech in Berlin with the famous phrase "I am a Berliner" (Ich bin ein Berliner). City Hall (Römer) in the Old Town of Frankfurt on Römerberg plaza you can visit Römer, as the city hall is called. The Rathaus (city hall) was “put together” in the early 1400’s by combining two medieval houses, named "Römer" and "Goldener Schwan", to become one town hall.  Together with the covered bridge called the Seufzerbrücke (the "Bridge of Sighs"- mimicking the “real” Bridge of Sighs in Venice) they are definite, impressive landmarks. In front of these buildings, in the middle of the square is the Fountain of Justice (The Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen) from the mid 1500’s.  Don’t miss the Ostzeile area with six half-timbered houses which were restored to their former selves after being heavily bombed during WWII. Secret:  You can take time out for a meal in a restaurant called the Haus Wertheym  which is housed in one such half-timber house that remained intact and unscathed. The Frankfurt Cathedral, Roman Catholic - Imperial Cathedral of Saint Bartholomew (German: Kaiserdom Sankt Bartholomäus): A narrow pedestrian street leads you from the Town Hall towards the Dom Cathedral.  All these the buildings were also restored, having been totally ruined during WWII. The interior of the cathedral is impressive and if you can climb the to the top from the observation deck you will have your “Kodak Moment” – a spectacular view of the Old Town The Opera House The Frankfurt Opera’s impressive building is easily accessible by public transport and is located near the city's green ring. The original building was built in the late 1800’s and had the honor of Mozart’s Don Giovanni “opening” Frankfurt’s first major opera/concert hall. Unfortunately, this building as well as many treasured older buildings was destroyed in WWII and it took almost 40 years to reconstruct an updated, contemporary concert hall. Shopping and food: Finally, we can relax on Zeil Street along the pedestrian mall near the Old City where there is a wide selection of department stores, shops, restaurants and cafes. We recommend that you take this opportunity to taste and enjoy the well-known Wurstchen Sausage and for dessert to order the Bethmannchen marzipan cookies. Museums If it is icons that are of interest to you, then a visit the Ikonenmuseum Museum of Icons is a must! The high-quality exhibition is presented here for the Aficionado who will appreciate the exciting and extensive collection of diverse items.  This is one of several special and unique museums on the bank opposite the Old City. Frankfurt's old bridge takes you across and the museums are a short walk away on the Sachsenhauser street parallel to the River Main Money Museum of the Deutsche Bundesbank  Geldmuseum der Deutschen Bundesbank: Everybody loves money and here is an opportunity to find out everything you ever wanted to know about this currency. Explore the world of money! In this fascinating museum, you will find the answers to any questions you have about money. It is entertaining and educational! Exhibits, media stations, interactive games, answers to questions like: How is cash produced? How does monetary policy work and what exactly does a central bank do? What role does money play in a globalised world? You will get answers to your questions as well participate in exciting hands-on exhibits and media stations. Suitable for all ages, the exhibition is both in German and English. “It’s good to have money and the things that money can buy, but it’s good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven’t lost the things that money can’t buy.” George LorimerSecret: There is no fee, free entrance Note: During WWII hundreds of bombs were dropped on Frankfurt and as a result most of the “original” Old Town was wiped out and had to be rebuilt.