Frankfurt, Germany

Prost (cheers)! No, the traditional drink of the city is not beer, it is apple wine, aka ebbelwei, äbbelwoi, äppler or stöffche. Usually, the brew is served straight and goes well with typically German fare; on cold nights, order it spiced and hot. Taverns serving this low-alcohol wine in decorated Bembel (left) are plentiful. Try Zur Schönen Müllerin, a 10-minute taxi ride from the show. bit.ly/glcKkM


May days. Step outside Messe Frankfurt for a flower fix at the 50-acre PalmenGarten (botanical garden). During IMEX, the azaleas and rhododendrons, in particular, should be spectacular. Stroll through the Tro­pi­carium, a complex of greenhouses, to see orchids and other warm-climate plants, or visit the Blütenhaus to see the collection of rare flowers. Admission is free; guided tours are available. bit.ly/ePk1VA


Out there. On the edge of town sits the CocoonClub, a swanky nightspot with its Silk restaurant, where patrons lounge on white-leather beds and indulge in a prix-fixe tasting menu. Reserve now for an evening's single "seating." The New York Times said "clarity, subtlety and inventiveness" characterize the menu. cocoonclub.net

Go Gothic. The Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (or Frankfurt Dom) was the site of the coronation of 10 emperors from 1562 to 1792. The 312-foot-high tower (not for acrophobes) is open from April to October.

On display: Museums dot the cityscape, showcasing everything from film history to bibles. The German Architecture Museum features plans and more from the 19th and 20th centuries. bit.ly/gBhRVw