Germany Frankfurt am Main

Home to over 5 million inhabitants and one of the world’s largest stock exchanges, Frankfurt am Main is often referred to as “Mainhattan” because of its status as a powerful finance and business hub. Even though this city is so bustling and modern, there is a great emphasis on history and nature here that balances everything out. Visitors can get a break from the city’s fast pace by walking down the many trails in Frankfurt City Forest, a sprawling forest full of lakes and playgrounds in the southern part of the city.

In the city center, be sure to visit Römerberg, a great public square which hosts Christmas markets and trade fairs and features the famous pink facade of the Römer building. Enjoy an evening out on the town in Sachsenhausen, a street lined on either side by restaurants, clubs, and bars, for a variety of options for local food and drinks. For an adventure outside of the city, take a 40-minute drive down to the Odenwald mountains to see the real Frankenstein Castle overlooking the city of Darmstadt.