Flights to Frankfurt with Air France from ZAR 12,670*

Frankfurt - a city where trade, industry and finance continue to reign as they have done for hundreds of years

Frankfurt, or more correctly, Frankfurt Am Main, after the river on which it is built, is one of the most ethnically-diverse European cities, with the city's 2.5 million-strong population being drawn from 180 different nationalities.

The city is served by regular Air France flights from Johannesburg which can whisk you to Frankfurt Airport, one of Europe's busiest, in just 14 hours. An ultra-efficient transportation network means that it's just a 15 minute journey, by train or underground, to the city centre.

Frankfurt is seen in many ways as the home of the Euro, being the location for the European Central Bank. The bank's new premises are one of 14 buildings of 150 metres or more in height in the city, giving Frankfurt something of a North American-style skyline, which is highly unusual in Europe. One of the tallest such skyscrapers, the Main Tower, is a favourite with tourists thanks to the wonderful views from its public viewing platform. The city is also home to the German Federal bank, the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and some of the world's top trade and industry fairs. The Frankfurt Motor Show is the world's largest, the first records of the Frankfurt Trade fair date back to 1150, whilst visitors travel to the Frankfurt Book Fair from all over the planet. If you're looking for value for money accommodation or airplane tickets, it's best to check in advance whether there are any major events or fairs in the offing, as this can push prices up. Keep an eye on Air France's special offers for great deals throughout the year, including during the holiday season.

Although the city was severely damaged during World War Two, some of the most historically-important buildings have been reconstructed or repaired. The 15th century Römer (city hall), was partly destroyed during the war, only to be rebuilt, as was the 14th/15th century Dom (cathedral), Saint Paul's church and the Alte Oper, the old opera house - now a striking concert hall - and the Goethe House, the birthplace of the renowned German writer and pioneer of the Romantic movement. All would be well worth a visit during any stay.

Come and stay in the 'green city', Frankfurt's forests, gardens and parks are just the thing to help you unwind!

A standout feature of Frankfurt is its green belt, covering approximately one third of Frankfurt proper. This area includes a city forest (Frankfurter Stadwald, Germany's largest) and a vineyard. Other similar attractions include the much-loved Palmengarten, the Botanical Gardens and the Garden of Heavenly Peace, a Chinese-style garden created by Chinese workers in the 1980s.

Frankfurt has an impressive assortment of museums, many of which are conveniently concentrated around the Museumsufer area along the banks of the River Main. They cover all areas of human experience, from religion (the Frankfurt Jewish Museum and the Bible House Experience Museum), to natural history (the child-friendly Senckenberg Natural History Museum, film (the German Film Museum), art (the Städel, one of Germany's top galleries, with works by Bosch, Botticelli, Vermeer and Degas, and the Museum of Modern Art) and even the Dialog Museum (enabling you to experience something of what life is like from the perspective of a blind person).

Museums are also centre stage in one of the city's biggest festivals, Museumsuferfest, which features live bands, dance, a craft market and a fireworks display. Other major festivals to watch out for include the Skyscraper festival, the Luminale (festival of light) and the Wäldchestag, which is held in Frankfurt City Forest.