In the city of Frankfurt, Germany

 "A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart."

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
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(in the birthplace of German democracy) Frankfurt is now more famous for its bankers, and the skyscrapers they have funded. A hub from the very beginning (the name comes from a river ford used by the Franks who went on to conquer France), Frankfurt's airport offers flights to more destinations than any other, and you can seemingly take trains anywhere from here, too. This is one of Germany's most diverse cities, even when its famous trade shows aren't in town, yet next to the skyscrapers you'll find the restored Old Town that served as the brief capital of a democratic Germany during the failed 1848 revolutions, and remains a reminder of Frankfurt's time as one of the Holy Roman Empire's prime cities.

+ Frankfurt (as it is also known) is located in what was a swampy portion of the Main valley, a lowland criss-crossed by channels of the river. (The oldest parts are therefore to be found on the higher portions of the valley, through which passed the Roman road from Mainz to Heddernheim.) The Odenwald and Spessart ranges surrounded the area, lending a defensive advantage, and many placenames show that the lowlands on both sides of the river were originally wooded. The oldest part of the the old city center, is the Cathedral Hill (Domhügel), on an island created by arms of the Main. Only from the west could it be reached by foot without getting wet; this, together with its location at a ford, gave it military and economic advantages.

+ There is plenty to see and do in this 2,000-year-old city. The gothic Saint Bartholomeus Cathedral is a perseverant structure, having been destroyed and rebuilt twice since its 14th century construction. Catch a screening at the German Film Museum, stroll the exhibit halls of one of Frankfurt’s many galleries, or climb to the top of the Main Tower for sweeping 360-degree views of the city.

+ Glinting with glass, steel, and concrete skyscrapers, Frankfurt-on-the-Main (pronounced "mine") is unlike any other German city. The focal point of an urban area of 5.5 million, "Mainhattan" is home to one of the world’s largest stock exchanges and the headquarters of the European Central Bank; it also hosts some of the world's most popular trade fairs, attracting thousands of travellers.

+ Frankfurt's airport offers flights to more destinations than any other, and you can take trains most anywhere from here, too. This is one of Germany's most diverse cities, even when its trade shows aren't in town, yet next to the skyscrapers you'll find the restored Old Town that served as the brief capital of a democratic Germany during the failed 1848 revolutions, and remains a reminder of Frankfurt's time as one of the Holy Roman Empire's prime cities.

+ Discover the city's famed highlights and hidden gems, from Frankfurt's its old opera house, St. Paul's Church, through to the cathedral and the beautifully reconstructed new "Old Town."