Frankfurt Germany is an unmatched, inexpensive vacation away from tourist locations such as Berlin and Munich. Navigating through the city is easy, with their extensive metro system, bike rentals, and foot paths. Check out www.kayak.com for airfare; low season is from November to March. Frankfurt is easily accessible from surrounding European cities. Several high speed trains per day go to Huaptbahnhof, Frankfurt’s main train station. If it is cheaper to land outside of Frankfurt, do so and take the train in for about 15$.
Located 500 ft from the train station is the Frankfurt Hostel, a great location for the travelers on a budget. With dorm style and private rooms, the accommodation is impeccably clean and safe. Guests gather every morning in the lobby for a complimentary breakfast.
Bicycles are available for rent in front of the train station for $7.50 a day. The metro is a viable option but for the traveler looking to get the most out of his or her stay, biking along the Main River is most appealing in the mid-morning as the sun glistens along the water. Pedal your way to Zeil, Frankfurt’s busiest shopping district. Park your bicycle along one of the many stands and browse the outdoor markets. Indulge in a traditional German pretzel for about $1.50; these delights are much larger and less dense than American pretzels. Catch a movie, many German movie houses show German language and subtitled films.
Next, pedal to Romer, the city-hall acquired in 1405. Bombed during the Second World War, this landmark was rebuilt in its original Gothic style. Today Romer houses a collection of 52 life-sized portraits of German Emperors. Surrounding the Romer is a picturesque shopping center built in the likeness of the era it originates. Here, indulge any passion you may have for the hand made craft of the cuckoo clock. Stop for lunch at any one of several cafes, and enjoy lunch for fewer than $15 before heading off to one of the museums in the vicinity.
Kunsthalle Schirn boasts a collection of Expressionist and Surrealist art. For the history buffs there is the Historisches Museum, which houses items from 19th and 20th century Germany. Take a gander at a 1950s German kitchen and an extensive collection of middle class children’s toys. Another segment depicts the Nazi occupation of Germany. One experiences what Germans encountered during Nazi occupation, form store fronts to posters and billboards. If you are a student, show ID and be admitted for only $3.50.
For the more adventurous there is the Kaiserstrasse, Frankfurt’s notorious red-light district. Though many often neglect this area because of its infamous reputation, this area boasts great dining, a popular shopping street as well as an attractive weekly market.
Another great place to visit, especially in the spring is Alt-Sachsenhausen, or the “Cider Quarter.” By day it offers a scenic stroll, by evening it’s a great place for night life, with a variety of bars and night clubs to choose from. Whatever your desire, one can not leave before tasting a glass of the famous Ebbelwoi cider.
Frankfurt Germany offers the European traveler the charm of German life and culture without the high price tag and tourist crowds of larger cities. Though cycle or foot is recommended as the best mode of transportation in order to fully absorb all that the city has to offer, the extensive metro system can be navigated with ease. For those weary of a language barrier, the majority of locals are bilingual in both German and English, and many also speak French and are happy to accommodate non-German speakers.
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