a city famed for its trade and commerce links. A medieval town with some of Germany’s most splendid old buildings- the Cathedral of St Bartholomew is a true beauty- Frankfurt acquired its reputation as a centre for trade pretty early on. By 1240, this town, on the banks of the river Main (from which it draws part of its name), was already a venue for commercial fairs; even today, its annual trade shows and fairs- particularly for computers, books and automobiles- are famous across the world.