VIP View - April 2006

DESTINATION: GERMANY

Now is the time to lace up your boots and get ready to head over to Germany for the FIFA World Cup Soccer action this summer. Sixty-four matches will be held across 12 of the nation`s finest cities over four fun packed weeks from June 9 - July 9. From historical Hamburg to beer drinking Munich this is a good chance to combine your passion for soccer with some picture-postcard towns, huge forests, delightful castles and not to mention the fine wine and beer to be had.

Preliminary world cup games start in Hamburg, Germany`s largest port city and trading hub in the north. The city is also located on a lake where you can sail and surf right in the city centre! There are more than 25 parks in Hamburg, 900kms of paths, a bustling red-light district, museums and churches to check out in between the games. Or you could follow the action to Cologne on the river Rhine, just a few hours from the Dutch, Belgian and French borders in the far west. This attractive city turns on the charms with spectacular architecture, museums, theatre, concerts, dance clubs, shopping and more.

Other matches take place in the green city of Hanover in the central north with its acres of Baroque-style gardens and medieval old quarter. In central Germany boot action comes to the business and transit centre of Frankfurt. Here you`ll find Europe`s tallest office building and a huge international community. Frankfurt is also big on its arts so check out any current exhibitions. Gelsenkirchen, Leipzig, Kaiserslautern and the quaint medieval city of Nuremberg 90mins north-northwest of Munich are also on the soccer circuit.

But the action really hots up when the semi-finals move to Dortmund and Munich. Munich in the south needs little introduction and is famed for its beer and the celebration of it with numerous festivals, most notably of course Oktoberfest. The fairy-tale Gothic city of Munich rivals Berlin as Germany`s most popular destination. It`s the capital of Bavaria and you`ll find folk traditions, Blackforest cake, picture-postcard sights, many museums and a vibrant arts and culture scene.

The world cup culminates with the finals in Stuggart and the capital Berlin. Expect to see a lot of flash cars in Stuggart, the home of Mercedes Benz and Porsche. The nearby forests may also draw you out of the industrial city making it a good base for some sport, culture and nature. The capital Berlin is the heart of Germany and the fitting end for a month of class soccer. It had a major face lift since the iron curtain lifted in 1989. It`s now rather hectic with building construction rebuilding the gap between east and west. Berlin features grand public edifices, museums, theatres, restaurants, busy pubs and active nightlife. It`s a little more exuberant than a lot of other cities and hosts some wild parties like the Love Parade. The soccer finals and post parties here will be well celebrated.

Wherever you go Germany in June is a superb time. So lace up and kick off!