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Germany : Frankfurt - September 2009

Country Code: Dial for Germany

This month, Frankfurt gears up to host the International Motor Show (17-27 September). But behind the glitz of brand new cars and the glint of towering skyscrapers lies a city steeped in history, with grand buildings, quaint squares and an oldfashioned sense of fun, which you can witness first hand from 11-21 September at the Autumn Dippemess, Frankfurt’s traditional fun fair. Carole French shows us round

Getting around

Frankfurt Airport is 12km outside the city centre.

Train: The easiest way to get into the city centre is on regional S-Bahn lines S8 and S9. The journey takes about 11 to 13 minutes, and a single ticket costs around €4.
Taxi: A trip to the centre of Frankfurt costs about €20 and takes 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the traffic.
Tourist information: The main office is at Hauptbahnhof (tel. , frankfurttourismus. de).

CITY CENTRE

The heart of Frankfurt is characterised by the gleaming skyscrapers of the financial district. Around the historic square Römerberg you’ll find chic restaurants and designer shops.

Sleep soundly – The stylish Hotel Zentrum (7 Rossmarkt, tel. , hotel-zentrum.de, rooms from €66) is opposite the Hauptwache, which was once a police station and is baroque city landmark.

Culture vultures – Admire the wooden arches of the gothic Katharinenkirche (1 An der Hauptwache), where the writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was baptised. His home, Goethe-Haus (23 Grosser Hirschgraben) is just a short walk away.

Must eat – Minutes from Römerberg, the lively Souper (3 Weissadlergasse, tel. ) specialises in hearty German soups to enjoy inside or to take away. Try the tasty tomato with mozzarella and basil.

Shop til you drop – Head to one of the city’s lesser known shopping streets, the discreet Goethestrasse, for names such as Gucci (5 Goethestrasse) and Chanel (10 Goethestrasse). If money’s no object, treat yourself to a classic Galliera bag from Louis Vuitton (13 Goethestrasse).

BAHNHOFSVIERTEL TO GUTLEUTVIERTEL

Frankfurt’s second smallest borough, Bahnhofsviertel, and Gutleutviertel lie along the Main’s riverbank, a green area of Mediterranean-style gardens.

Sleep soundly – The classy Intercontinental Frankfurt (43 Wilhelm-Leuschnerstrasse, 050, ichotelsgroup.com, rooms from €150) has excellent business facilities and a matchless position right on the River Main. For the best views, ask for a room in the city wing.

Culture vultures – Study local history in the archaeological museum at former monastery Karmeliterkloster (9 Münzgasse).

Must eat – For a taste of Persian cuisine, head for the seriously stylish Restaurant Hafez (21 Baselerstrasse, 2301), housed in the Hotel Villa Oriental. Make sure you try the saffron rice. After your meal, why not try a hookah in the Shisha Lounge?

INNENSTADT TO WESTEND

Home to the huge Grüneburgpark and Palmengarten, this fashionable area is known for its restaurants and cultural nightlife.

Sleep soundly – Less than a kilometre from Messe Frankfurt, venue for the motor show, is the elegant Hotel an der Messe (104 Westendstrasse, 7979, hotel-an-der-messe.de, rooms from €70). The hotel has themed bedrooms – choose from Thai and African-style décor.

Culture vultures – Check out Nebbiensches Gartenhaus (Bockenheimer Anlage), a striking building in Anlagenring that hosts chamber concerts and art exhibitions.

Must eat – Enjoy gourmet cuisine at Restaurant Avocado (27 Hochstrasse, 4642). Go for the mango gazpacho with mint cream, followed by turbot with lime risotto and an indulgent dessert such as the raspberry cake with cassis mousse.

SACHSENHAUSEN

A charming residential area known for its elegant buildings and excellent restaurants, it’s also famed for its apfelwein (cider) and has great views of the city skyline from the riverside.

Sleep soundly – Housed in a former mansion, Hotel am Berg (23 Grethenweg, tel. , hotel-am-berg-ffm.de, rooms from €49) does a nice line in old-fashioned opulence, with huge, high-ceilinged rooms done out in rich colours.

Culture vultures – Take part in a virtual car chase at Deutsches Filmmuseum (41 Schaumainkai).

Must drink – Watch the sun set behind the skyscrapers while sipping apfelwein at Maincafé (50 Schaumainkai).

Compiled by Carole French