FRANKFURT - I love this city! But each time I make that profession, I am met with the same bewildered expression followed by, “But isn’t it just a business hub?”

LEIPZIG, GERMANY - It’s a bright afternoon, and I’m nursing a warm cappuccino at a café in Old Leipzig’s pedestrian-friendly heart.

NONNENHORN, GERMANY - We climb to the highest spot on Josef Gierer’s sloped vineyard where the young vintner uncorks one of his family’s best vintages and pours me a drink. The view from here is spectacular.

BREMEN, GERMANY - It doesn’t take me long to figure out that this lovely old city that snuggles up to the North Sea is a very special place.

BERLIN - Through billowing clouds of smoke, three “angels”, each holding a candle, walk towards me. Behind them stands a fairytale castle trimmed in twinkling lights. It’s a surreal moment that’s enhanced by the sound of children’s laughter and magical music.

BACHARACH, GERMANY – The charming lady in the housecoat and apron stuffs bread, cheese and a half bottle of wine into the unsuspecting cyclists’ knapsacks moments after they devour the wonderful breakfast she’s prepared.

TRIER, GERMANY – This seems an odd place to see hordes of Chinese tourists. But there they were, pointing cameras at the old slanted stucco building at No. 8 Simeonstrasse and clapping their hands in delight.

BERLIN - “Ich bin ein Berliner!” I couldn’t wait to stand in front of the Brandenburg Gate and yell out (in German) “I am a Berliner” — just as I remember John F. Kennedy doing in 1963 when I was but a youngster.

HAMBURG AND BERLIN- Like stunning siblings — one a sophisticated, petite brunette and the other an outgoing, out-there blonde — these German sisters have their own distinctive personalities. Each is special,each is different. And both are worth getting to know.

BERLIN - While walking through a handsome square called Bebelplatz one night, my eyes are drawn to a corner where a white light rising from the cobblestones cuts through the darkness like a knife.