Under $100: Frankfurt, Germany

Begin your day with breakfast at Caféhaus Siesmayer, a Viennese-style café surrounded by lush gardens. You’ll find an array of fresh pastries and baked goods, alongside coffee, ham and eggs, all for an affordable price.

Since your breakfast places you right in the middle of the Palmengarten, you might as well take the time to explore the botanical gardens. Admission is only €7 and you can explore the more than 50 acres for as long as you like. The space is split into themed areas, from the rhododendron garden to the bamboo grove to the palm house.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe House © Johnypan | Dreamstime

Explore the Goethe House and Goethe Museum for a look at the country’s most celebrated writer’s life and work. Admission is €7. Those more interested in art than literature will equally enjoy the Frankfurt Museum of Modern Art, where more than 4,500 pieces by 440 artists are on display. The museum is split into three parts, and entry to all three is €16.

As you walk around the city, don’t miss Frankfurt’s Old Town Center, where pedestrians converge in a picture-perfect setting. The historic space offers shopping, dining and other attractions, and is also the location of the annual Christmas market.

The Museum of Modern Art © Antony Mayfield | Flickr

Grab lunch at Margarete, where you’ll find indoor and outdoor seating for 200 in a surprisingly relaxed atmosphere. The lunch menu starts at around €10 and includes a wide array of foods, from risotto and smoked eggplant to veal with baked tomatoes and polenta.

Nearby is the Emperor’s Cathedral, a can’t-miss on the Frankfurt cityscape. Consecrated in the 13^th century, it served as the electoral site for Holy Roman Empire kings from the 14^th century onward, hosting 10 coronations. Visit for €3.50. Tours are available, but are only offered in German.

For a foray into traditional Frankfurt apple wine culture, enjoy a hearty dinner at Adolf Wagner. Along with your apple wine, choose from a varied menu of schnitzel, ochsenbrust, rippchen, krautwickel and more. Dinner offerings start at around €8.