64 FOCUS - DECEMBER 2017 158 Casimir Street, Port Perry 905-985-2268 virginia.frew@marlintravel.ca (wherever you are) TICO #4577532 MC J ean Virginia Colleen Leanne marzipan biscuit, hot apple wine and “Quetschemännchen”, small figurines made of dried plums, are Frankfurt cus- toms and make for tasty souvenirs for friends at home. “Green Sauce” crêpes served with brisket of beef or delicious “Handkäs” fondue are newer traditions and have gained in popularity over the years. The best place to enjoy these local culinary specialties is in one of the warm and cozy taverns situated all around the Christmas market. Another great thing to see and do in Frankfurt is a visit to the Palmen- garten (Palm Gardens), which are an expansive botanical garden complex, featuring palm and orchid collections displayed in greenhouses. A visit to the house of famous Ger- man writer Wolfgang Goethe is another ‘must see’ on your Frankfurt adventure. Now a museum, the homestead was the family residence of the Goethe fam- ily for 200 years, until 1795. Of course, like most European cities, the cathedral is the centre of the old city. Frankfurt’s St. Bartholomew’s Cathedral is no exception. This is the third church on the site and dates back to the late 1800’s. Excavations have shown the original buildings were constructed in the 7th century. In 2011 Frankfurt founded the Ca- thedral Choir School, which is a mixed ecumenical children’s and youth choir. They perform during mass and even- song, as well as give recitals. In a few short years this choir has rivaled the famed Vienna Boys’ Choir. When you’re travelling through Europe and have a layover in Frankfurt, con- sider spending a couple of days there. If you can make this happen around Christmas time, you will have memo- ries to last you a lifetime. Whenever I travel to Frankfurt I stop at a roadside eatery and enjoy a frankfurter. Maybe I will venture to Hamburg next, and taste a hamburger…. Jonathan van Bilsen is a photographer, author, columnist, keynote speaker and can be followed at photosNtravel.com DO YOU KNOW….. The United Nations recognizes 260 countries in the world. What city has a larger population than 173 of those countries? Email me your best guess at jon@photosNtravel.com Answer, next month. Last month’s ‘Do You Know’ was … terms such as BC and AD have been changed to CE and BCE? Do you know what the acronym stands for? CE replaces AD (Anno Domini) and stands for Common Era and BCE, which replaces BC (Before Christ), stands for Before Common Era. Political correctness at its finest. A unique metro entrance. Frankfurt enjoys a very properous commerce industry. St. Bartholomew Cathedral in the centre of the old city. Frankfurt (continued from page 63)