Frankfurt, Germany

I have been in Frankfurt for over a month.

I arrived just in time to share the holidays with my parents, visiting the Christmas markets and many a long afternoon walk with my mom. Then I got into a routine of my own.

Mornings at my favorite coffee shop - Hoppenworth & Ploch - with an americano, sometimes a slice of whatever was vegan. The lemon and thyme cake there is particularly scrummy. It is all in the glaze atop each slice that is perfectly tangy, lemon in a cake should be tangy.

There I would get comfortable and spend a few hours writing, organizing or editing photographs, researching places I want to travel to. On January 16th, the routine included lunch at my favorite falafel place, Aroma. They close for a few months in the winter and I may or may not have delayed traveling for the perfect falafel. Five euros will get you a huge falafel sandwich, generously filled with humus, pickled and fresh toppings.

After lunch I might walk through neighborhoods admiring colorful apartment buildings, popping into a cute shop here and there. Then back home I would go, sometimes stopping into Basic to enjoy my favorite past time, browsing the shelves of grocery stores. Or I might take a longer way back including a walk through Grüneburg Park or through the Goethe University campus. This campus is not only lush with interesting architecture and people watching, but history fills the halls of its most impressive building.

An orange sorbet colored building stands grandly at one end of campus. Built of a unique marble stone, it was previously owned by I.G Farben during WWII, and then taken over by the US during their post-war occupation of Germany. The building is worth a visit.

Frankfurt has been surprisingly cool. I don’t remember it being this cool when I was living and going to high school here. Alas, I was a teenager wrapped up in the happenings of school. I have yet to get to know most of the city, and when I am back periodically in the spring and summer it will be transformed I’m sure. Time spent in cozy coffee shops escaping the grey gloom of Frankfurt winter will be replaced by beer gartens galore.

Until then I thought I would share my initial favorite spots around town:

Favorite Coffee & Cafés

café 48

Hoppenworth & Ploch

Around Downtown

Junges Museum

A huge space, comprised of two wings, I Recommend the newest or wing to the right. Especially the top floor with a huge playful modle of the entire city. There is also a very cool nook to sit in with a great view of people walking down below

Römer & River

Stroll downtown towards the römer to get a taste of classic, old germany. Completely bombed in the war, this RESURRECTED PLAZA is JUST charming. cHECK OUT THE CATHEDRAL JUST beyond, AND THEN HEAD DOWN TO THE RIVER FOR SOME VIEWS

Goethe University &

I.G Farben Haus

Feel studious once again with A beautiful stroll around this university campus.

FOLLOWED BY A DOSE OF FASCINATING WWII HISTORY along the halls of THE I.G FARBEN BUILDING.

Nidda &

Grüneburg Parks

Get a dose of nature in these Two parks north west of the city

here one might enjoy a leisurely sunday stroll, a run, or a picnic in the summer time

favorite shops

Second Home

Three rooms filled with a beautiful scandinavian-esk collection of clothing, jewelry & home goods. You are going to want to make yourself comfy on one of the pink sofas, and never leave

Manufactum

The most magnificent collection of home goods, clothing and nick nacks. Magical quality, things you didn’t know you needed, the perfect place to find a gift for someone, or yourself

then a Falafel @ aroma

Get A Beer @ Braustil