EXAMPLES OF MEMBERS' PUBLISHED WORK

 More articles
 by Carole French

 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^
 ^


 
 

by Carole French
· personal page ·
  · website ·

Frankfurt is a vibrant city that combines fabulous history with a contemporary outlook. Our tour takes in the atmospheric feel of the Römerberg in the city centre, one of the most famous squares in Germany, along with the Palmengarten, a botanical garden for which the trendy Westend district is famous. You can enjoy top notch shopping along the Zeil and a leisurely walk along the Mainkai, right beside the River Main.

We also visit the Sachsenhausen district. It is a delight to explore. Combining fabulous old buildings, some dating back to around the 12th century, the lively and ultra cosmopolitan Schweizer Straße, its main boulevard, and its riverside walk that offers great views of Frankfurt’s commercial centre, you can really get to grips with what makes the city tick here.

The district is also home to the iconic Städel Museum in the Städelsches Kunstinstitut complex. It is one of the most important and oldest centres of art in Germany. Along with education facilities, it has more than 100,000 exhibits to see, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Degas, along with Renoir, Matisse, Monet and Picasso.

Our tour offers you suggestions for places to eat and drink, such as the Main Tower Restaurant, a gourmet eaterie on the 53rd floor of the landmark Frankfurt building, and the Apfelwein Wagner, a traditional apple wine tavern. Frankfurt is a great place to visit.

. . . . .

Friday

9am Start the day by having a hearty breakfast of pastries and coffee at the cosy Metropol Café am Dom (Weckmarkt 13-15, Tel: 069 288 287). It will set you up for a tour of the city - and a climb to the top of the tower of Frankfurt am Main’s majestic St Bartholomeus’s Cathedral known as Kaiserdom (Domplatz 14). The view of the city from the top is fabulous. It is said ten kings were crowned here. Look out, too, for the nearby Canvas House, Leinwandhaus (Weckmarkt 17), a striking 14th century white building that was once a textile shop.

10.30am The Römerberg (Römerberg) is probably the most photographed square in Germany. Lined by tall timber-framed buildings, it is a magnet for locals as well as visitors. Look out for the town hall, the Römer, on the west side. A gothic building with stepped gables, it is one of Frankfurt’s most historic buildings. In the centre is the Fountain of Justice, the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen, while in a tiny alleyway nearby is the Stone House, Steinernes Haus (Markt 42-44), a beautifully preserved gothic house, and St Paul’s Church, Paulskirche (Paulsplatz).

11.15am There are several places to get a coffee or ice cream in and around the Römerberg, including Starbucks Coffee House (Braubachstraße 36, tel: (0)69 133 85291).

11.30am Fully refreshed and with many photographs taken, head off towards the south of the Römerberg where you will see the delightful Old Nikolai Church, Alte Nikolaikirche (Römerberg 9). Built in 1290, it was at one time a court chapel used by the emperors. Stay for the carillon of bell chimes that ring out at 12 noon. Behind it is the Historical Museum, the Historisches Museum (Saalgasse 19, historisches-museum.frankfurt.de), which tells the story of old Frankfurt. Wertheim House is opposite the museum. It was one of the few timber-framed houses to survive the last war.

12.15pm Make your way towards the river, taking a leisurely walk along the Mainkai. You will pass the Iron Bridge, the Eiserner Steg, a landmark structure that shows how high the River Main’s water level once was. Cross the river to the Sachsenhausen district when you reach the pedestrian bridge, the Holbeinsteg. Straight ahead as you cross you will see the Städel Museum (Städelsches Kunstinstitut, Schaumainkai 63, staedelmuseum.de).

1.00pm Not only does the ‘Städel’ have some superb art collections, it also has a great eaterie, Café-Restaurant Holbein’s (Schaumainkai 63, tel: (0)69 66056666). A lunch here shouldn’t be missed. Elegant and arty, it oozes sophistication. Be sure to try the fois gras.

2.00pm It is time to walk off your lunch and admire the outstanding works on display in this fabulous museum. Founded as a result of wealthy banker and art enthusiast Johann Friedrich Städel’s wish to create an art institute that would also display his huge collection of paintings by, among others, Rembrandt, Monet and Picasso, the Städel became one of the most respected public art facilities in Germany.

3.00pm Schaumainkai, which runs along the south side of the River Main, is often referred to as Museumsufer or Museum Embankment because it houses most of the city’s museums. As well as the Städel, look out for the Museum of Communication (Schaumainkai 53, museumsstiftung.de), which has a great café for a beverage stop. There’s also the Museum of Applied Art (Schaumainkai 17, digitalcraft.org), which has fascinating displays of digital technology. Outside, take a photo of the Frankfurt skyline across the river before the sun goes down.

5.00pm No visit to Frankfurt would be complete without a sip or two of apfelwein, the local apple wine that has been brewed here for centuries. One of the best places to try it is at Apfelwein Wagner, a traditional apple wine tavern (Schweizer Straße 71, tel: (0)69 612565).

6.30pm From here take the Walter-Kolb-Straße to Schifferstraße and grab a bite to eat at the upmarket Maingau Stuben (Hotel Maingau, Schifferstraße 38-40, tel: (0)69 610752). Be sure to try one of its excellent fish dishes. A stroll after your meal could take you to the beautiful Old Bridge (Alte Brücke). It is the location of many festivals and impromptu events, including skating some evenings.

10.00pm until late Head for the brightly decorated, neon-lit Stereo Bar (Abtsgässchen 7, Sachsenhausen) to dance the night away to funky hip-hop and soul sounds. It’s a favourite on the Frankfurt nightclub scene.

. . . . .

Saturday

9am Start your day with a stroll in the Palmengarten Park (Siesmayerstraße 61, palmengarten-frankfurt.de) in the Westend district. You can visit the Palm House, the Palmenhaus, which houses plants from around the world. Stop for breakfast at the park’s own restaurant. When refreshed, take a bus, the number 36, or train, the U6 or U7, to the Alte Oper station.

10.30am Step inside the grand foyer of the Old Opera House, the Alte Oper (Opernplatz 1, alteoper.de) and be captivated by its opulence. You can join a tour, although it is advisable to book in advance. Be sure to check out tonight’s performances and before you leave stop for a cappuccino in its elegant Café Rosso. Next head off along the Große Bockenheimer Straße towards Hauptwache.

11.30am The Hauptwache (An der Hauptwache 15) is a fabulous baroque style landmark building and was once Frankfurt’s most important police station. It makes a great photo opportunity. Look out for the high watchtower, the Eschenheim Tower. From here it’s a pleasant walk to Goethe House.

12.00pm Goethe House (Großer Hirschgraben 23-25, goethehaus-frankfurt.de) is the home of the 18th century author Johann Wolfgang Goethe. See beautifully presented rooms over four floors, including Goethe’s library. Head back via Katharinenpforte towards the Zeil, passing by the elegant 19th century St Catherine’s Church (An der Hauptwache 1). It was where the author was baptised.

1.30pm The Zeil is a shopper’s paradise, but first stop for a spot of lunch. Whether you love fast food, classic French dishes or you fancy traditional German cuisine you will find an eaterie of your choice along the Zeil. Try the rooftop restaurant at the Kaufhof department store (Zeil 116). It offers a good menu plus fantastic views of the city. Then it’s time to shop. Along with the designer labels found in the Kaufhof, look out for Zeilgalerie (Zeil 112-114), and the Karstadt (Zeil 90), two great places to shop.

6.00pm Having allowed time to freshen up and leave your shopping bags at your hotel, take a cab to the Main Tower Restaurant & Bar (Neue Mainzer Straße 52-58, tel: (0)69 36504777) for pre-dinner drinks and a gourmet meal. Located on the 53rd floor, if offers a panoramic view of the city. Its stilton with peach and its carpaccio of beef are a delight.

8pm The perfect way to round off a memorable visit to Frankfurt is to see a performance at the Old Opera House, the Alte Oper. You had a brief stop earlier today and now you can return in your finery and watch anything from chamber concerts to rock or pop concerts. Be sure to include a drink in its elegant bar, the Da Capo in the Hindemith Foyer afterwards.

-------

(c) Carole French - worldwide rights reserved
Contact us for syndication

This article was published in
B.THERE MAGAZINE (London) Feb 2009