Post by Pollock on Jun 9, 2006 14:41:23 GMT 10
This is just a taste of what will be getting up to in Germany, i only just read it then. HAHA
And yes jimmy I smuggled Ellen off the bus
Wanted to see how a grown man with a doll gets treated on a plane.
Package C: Budget Tour (12 Night)
Itinerary: Hostel Option
Sunday 11 June: Arrival in Frankfurt & Tour Opening Party
Let the World Cup party begin! Guten Tag & welcome to the biggest two weeks of your life. After picking up your tickets and merchandise at the Sheraton Towers by the airport come and meet our FFA Travel reps at “Yours” Australian Bar, Rahmhofstrasse 2-4 (Schillerpassage) off Schillerstrasse in central Frankfurt.
Kick back for a warm up drink before taking one of our shuttle coaches to your hostel or camping accommodation, or you can choose to make your own way directly to the accommodation. For those coming from the airport simply follow the signs to the train that will bring you to the Hauptbahnhof in the heart of town. From there it’s a short walk to the bar. Passengers on our ex-London coach option will be taken straight to their accommodation.
7:00pm to 8:00pm: Tonight your FFA Travel rep will provide a full Tour Debriefing which will include the various transfer information. Because of the large numbers on this tour it is important that you attend this meeting because not all passengers on this tour will be taking the same transfers. A lot of planning has gone into these transfers & it is quite complex so make sure you get there.
8:00pm till late: Following that we will direct you to our huge opening parties. This will be a great opportunity to meet your fellow tourists & rejoice at the fact that the time has come. Tonight’s TV matches are Sweden vs Trinidad and Portugal vs Angola so that’ll no doubt get everyone pumped for tomorrow’s big game against Japan.
Overnight: Frankfurt & surrounding areas
Monday 12 June: Match Day - Australia v Japan in Kaiserslautern, 3pm.
The Aussies are coming! This is it. The wait is over and 20 million Australians back home will be relying on you to give it everything today as we get behind Guus & the boys. Throw on the Aussie clobber, tickle the tonsils and get ready to board our transfers for the trip to Kaiserslautern.
There are various modes of transport to Kaiserslautern. Depending on where you are staying we could be traveling by coach, train or the Aussie Express charter. Your FFA Travel rep will relay this information to you at the Tour Debriefing on June 11.
When you collect your match tickets on the first day you will receive a coach or train seat number & an identification pass that you will need to board this transfer. If you do not bring this pass you will not be permitted to board. All our transfers follow German train etiquette so if you sit in someone else’s seat, travel without your pass or you misbehave you will be turfed off & you may be arrested. Please understand German police take this very seriously.
When we get to Kaiserslatern & depart the train there will be an incredible mass of people at the one time. Please walk out of the Hopphanhof & follow these instructions to get to an area that we recommend for pre-match festivities.
The street straight ahead is the Richard-Wagner-Strasse. Please turn diagonally right into Pirmasenser Birmasenser which becomes Kerst Strasse which then becomes Markt Strasse (note: it’s all the one street) This street will take you down to the main bar region.
At the bottom of that hill on your right is the Fan Fest Live Site on Stiftsplatz. However as we are the first game of the day we will continue straight ahead past the Fan Fest. At the end of Markt Strasse you will cross the road where directly ahead of you is the area that is St MartinPlatz.
St MartinPlatz is the epicenter of our pre-match activity featuring seven bars, a medieval fountain & an amphitheatre of pre-match hype. You will see just how crazy this area is when you get there. Our plan is to turn this into Aussie-Platz today.
1:00pm: After a few beers & many songs we depart & make our way along the 'World Cup Mile' which leads to the stadium. We aim to be in the ground by 1:30pm as we count down the last hour for the most eagerly awaited kick-off in Australian sporting history. From St Martinplatz it is 15 minutes walk up the hill to the stadium.
This stadium has to be seen to be believed. A brand new, steep stadium could not be a more imposing way for each team to start Germany 2006.
3:00pm: Kick Off - Australia v Japan.
Tonight's match is at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion & the opponents are Asian Champions Japan in their opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Bring you singing voices, we'll need them over the parochial Japanese fans.
After the game we head back into the city to grab a quick meal in Kaiserslauten at the Live Site in Stifts Platz, before jumping back on the Aussie Express to Frankfurt to continue the celebrating at the Socceroo’s first win over Japan in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Your FFA Travel rep will inform you of your departure times at the Tour Debrief on June 11.
Overnight: Frankfurt & surrounding areas
Tuesday 13 June: Chill Out at The Beach
11:00am: This morning most of us will no doubt be a little slow out of the blocks. So after a lazy start to the day we head to Frankfurt’s amazing Beach Club set along the Main River where we have booked the venue for the perfect recovery session in a setting that can only be described as Cancuun comes to Europe – white sand, deck chairs, beach umbrellas, funky bars, dj’s, hi-tech dance floors & more. It’ll blow you away.
Meet your FFA Tour Rep in the lobby of the hostel as we will be leaving here on mass at 11:00am.
The live action continues tonight with the crunch European derby between France & Switzerland followed by the big one, Brazil vs Croatia, a result that could be crucial to Australia’s chances.
Overnight: Frankfurt & surrounding areas
Wednesday 14 June: Munich & Lawrence of Arabia
Tour note: at this time we are still waiting on the exact time of our charter train departure times from the local organising committee. We hope to know soon but they have told us that we might have to wait until the end of May due to the large number of bookings they have. We have chartered a whole train so there is not a problem with our train but because it is a charter & not a normal service they need to fit us into a timetable. Please refer back to this once a week before the trip & we will update it as soon as we know. Please don’t call us about that, we will upload it as soon as we know.
TBC am: This morning meet your tour leader in the lobby of your hostel. We will be taking the Aussie Express charter train to Munich in what will no doubt be a sensational experience.
We travel through southern Germany to the Bavarian captial Munich. After settling into our accommodation we prepare for our “Adopt-a-Team” theme day. We don’t expect Tunisia & Saudi Arabia to exactly be flush with traveling fans, so what better way to support the world game than with hundreds of Aussies all kitted out in their best Lawrence of Arabia outfits - half of us rooting for the Saudis, the other half cheering on the Tunisians. We will attempt to purchase tickets out at the stadium.
After returning from the stadium we head to the heart of Munich for tonight’s live screen action as the entire nation stops for the critical Germany vs Poland clash.
Overnight: Munich
Thursday 15 June: Bavarian Bar Crawl
11:00am: Meet at the world famous Marienplatz. This morning we meet up with every single person on FFA Travel’s Tour C: Hostel & Camping for the biggest bar crawl you can imagine. 1,300 Aussies tearing it up on the streets & the local bars of Munich. Our UK office has just returned from an extensive reconnaissance mission which revealed a sensational list of fine establishments.
For the best visual effect please wear 1. Your yellow FFA thongs 2. your FFA Travel board shorts & 3. the yellow FFA long sleeve polo that you received as part of the Package, can you imagine how good this will look with everyone wearing the same gear. Ridiculous! A bit like Where’s Wally x 1,300!
Australia has a strong reputation for breweries and beer drinking but this is nothing compared to the long & proud history in Germany, especially in Bavaria.
Tonight we head out for the live screen action as the Poms take on Sydney FC’s Dwight Yorke and the rest of the T&T boys followed by Sweden vs Paraguay.
Overnight: Munich
Friday 16 June: Free day in Munich
After a hectic first full day in Munich, today is some down time to recharge the batteries. It will no doubt provide a great opportunity to see a few cultural sites or take in the BMW museum.
Tonight’s live action sees Chelsea team mates Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba clash for their respective teams, Holland and Ivory Coast. Then the Mexicans take on the might of Angola.
Overnight: Munich
Saturday 17 June: Aussies Love Brazilians
Munich will be abuzz today as the Brazilian juggernaut roles into town. Check out the city by day before we team up with the Brazilian supporters at our official pre-match Samba Party complete with Brazilian beats, beauties and fine Bavarian beer.
On our recent trip to the FIFA draw the Brazilian organising committee were over the moon at the idea of the party & pledged to support it in every way. Both Australians and Brazilians are well known as the friendliest and best supporters in the world so when the two join forces tonight it’ll be simply crazy. Might be a good idea to brush up on a few Patrick Swayze Dirty Dancing moves before cutting up the dance floor at this one.
7:00pm: Brazil & Australia Samba Party – Lowenbraukeller Beer Hall. am Stiglmaierplatz, FSG-Betriebs GmbH GF Fritz Seyferth, Nymphenburger Strasse 2.
Tonight will be one of the highlights of the tour & something not to be missed. With over 2,500 Socceroo fans buzzing to the local umpa band, throw in the samba beats & we are in for something special.
12:00 midnight: Party ends & it’s back to your hostel or maybe onto another establishment.
Tonight's party flavour will be spiced up with all the live excitement from the USA vs Italy and Czech vs Ghana matches.
Overnight: Munich
Sunday 18 June: Match Day – Australia vs Brazil in Munich. 6pm kick-off.
The butterflies will start early today as the Aussies head into the lion’s den against the greatest superpower we’ve ever seen in sport, Brazil.
10:30am: We depart our hostel after a lazy few hours & head out to our pre-match party at Aumeister OHG, Sondermeierstraße 1, 80939 München.
We have booked the whole beer garden for all FFA Travel passengers so here's an opportunity to meet up with your fellow fans & savour what will be a tour highlight. The beer garden is in the beautiful English Garden & flanked by some of Munich's best scenary.
3:00pm: We depart here & take the train to the stadium where we take our allotted seats at the 66,000 seat Munich stadium. Today it’s the game we have all been waiting for as the Socceroos take on world champions Brazil in their second match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Bring you singing voices, as we cheer the boys onto Victory.
6:00pm: Kick Off - Australia v Brazil
Regardless of the result, we plan to be giving thanks for the football spectacle we have just witnessed by visiting one of Munich’s many bars en route to the hotel. We get off the train at Marienplatz – the scene of massive celebrations by Bayern Munich fans after their recent Bundesliga championship. This is the traditional home of football celebration in Munich - here's hoping, we will also be celebrating a great Socceroo victory.
Overnight: Munich
Monday 19 June: Socceroo Training Session
We have had confirmation that Guus Hiddink will allow FFA Travel passengers the opportunity to attend today's session in Oehringen so we will be traveling up to this great little town.
There are various modes of transport to Oehringen. Depending on where you are staying we could be traveling by coach, train or the Aussie Express charter. Your FFA Travel rep will relay this information to you at the Tour Debriefing on June 11.
The town of Oehringen are expecting us today & this place really has to be seen to be believed. The town has adopted the Aussie team with every single bar, shop & restaurant already proudly flying Australian flags. We can guarantee you are in for a special today.
This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the boys in Camp so bring the camera. You will need to bring your FFA Travel identification pass that you will receive when you collect your tickets, as ID will be required to attend.
Following the training session we spend the afternoon in the town square watching the 6pm match between the Ukraine and Saudi Arabia in Hamburg.
TBC pm: Our transfer departs Oehringen back to Munich.
Overnight: Munich
Tuesday 20 June: Salzburg & Austrian Alps
9:00am: Meet your FFA Travel rep in the hostel lobby. Today is a big day as we head off to Salzburg and Austrian Alps.
The hills are alive with the sound of music! Despite being one of the cheesiest musicals ever, The Sound of Music did provide the setting for some of the most stunning scenery possible & has become a cult movie classic. Today we drive through Salzburg plus the breathtaking Austrian Alps and beautiful summer lakes, a region of Natural and World Heritage. We travel along the majestic Alpine roads to experience the largest ice caves and underground glacier in the world. Our trip includes the impossibly positioned town of Hallstatt with its extraordinary bone house.
The adrenaline junkies can get their kicks in the beautiful surroundings of the Austrian Alps. Options include canyoning, sky diving, river rafting, paragliding, mountain biking…. or even trout fishing for the Rex Hunt’s amongst us. Fees are payable for the various activities. In the down time we will be chilling at a conspicuous Australian pub.
We then head back to Munich and straight out to see the massive clash between England and Sweden.
Overnight: Munich
Wednesday 21 June: Munich
Today is free to check out Munich and knock off the souvenir shopping list for those mini soccer balls you promised your little cousin and that Bavarian t-towel for gran.
5:00pm: Meet at the world famous Marienplatz. From here we will have a few drinks before travelling out to the stadium to try & see tonights match between the Cote DiVoire & Serbia match at 9pm in Munich.
Overnight: Munich
Thursday 22 June: Match Day – Australia vs Croatia in Stuttgart, 9pm.
This is crunch time and tonight’s fixture will likely determine the fate of both teams.
Tour note: at this time we are still waiting on the exact time of our charter train departure times from the local organising committee. We hope to know soon but they have told us that we might have to wait until the end of May due to the large number of bookings they have. We have chartered a whole train so there is not a problem with our train but because it is a charter & not a normal service they need to fit us into a timetable. Please refer back to this once a week before the trip & we will update it as soon as we know. Please don’t call us about that, we will upload it as soon as we know.
TBC am: This morning meet your tour leader in the lobby of your hotel before TBC. We meet all the other Tour C tourists at TBC for the Aussie Express from the Munich Hauptbahnhof to Stuttgart. We arrive into Stuttgart before lunch & enjoy a day walking around the town square before meeting up with your fellow fans at our official pre-match gig.
4:00pm: Make your way to our pre-match function at the Bier Garten im schlossgarten (Stuttgart Beer Garden) Am Schlossgarten 18, 70173 which we have booked out for this tour.
At 4pm, the Czech Republic takes on Italy in Hamburg, while Ghana takes on the USA in Nuremburg at the same time for final Group E standings.
While the Socceroos battle with Croatia, fellow pool teams Brazil will be playing Japan in Dortmund at 9pm, the result of which could directly affect Australia’s progress to the round-of-16.
We stay at the Beer Garden until 7pm when we make our way to the ground via the S-Bahn. We then take our allotted seats at the 53,000 seat Gobler-Daimler stadium to watch the Socceroos take on Croatia in their third, and hopefully not final, match of the 2006 World Cup. Bring you singing voices, as we cheer the boys onto Victory.
9:00pm: Kick Off - Australia v Croatia
With both eyes on the game, we will also have one ear to the radio, listening to the Brazil/Japan game.
Based on the results, this could be a big night in Stuttgart as we head back to meet all Socceroo fans in the town square. Whether it be celebrating the Socceroos first appearance at the World Cup in 32 years or their progress to the next level of the tournament, tonight will be one to savour and to celebrate 13 great days of world football.
After the match let's hope we're celebrating Australia’s triumph into the round of sixteen before we return to Munich on the Aussie Express – time TBC.
Overnight: Munich
Friday 23 June: Farewell to our new mates
This morning we say farewell to our new mates with a swag of lifelong memories behind us.
For those flying out of Frankfurt our coaches will be offering the Aussie Express for those going to London your transfer coaches will depart from Munich. Your FFA Travel rep will relay this information to you at the Tour Debriefing on June 11.
And yes jimmy I smuggled Ellen off the bus
Wanted to see how a grown man with a doll gets treated on a plane.
Package C: Budget Tour (12 Night)
Itinerary: Hostel Option
Sunday 11 June: Arrival in Frankfurt & Tour Opening Party
Let the World Cup party begin! Guten Tag & welcome to the biggest two weeks of your life. After picking up your tickets and merchandise at the Sheraton Towers by the airport come and meet our FFA Travel reps at “Yours” Australian Bar, Rahmhofstrasse 2-4 (Schillerpassage) off Schillerstrasse in central Frankfurt.
Kick back for a warm up drink before taking one of our shuttle coaches to your hostel or camping accommodation, or you can choose to make your own way directly to the accommodation. For those coming from the airport simply follow the signs to the train that will bring you to the Hauptbahnhof in the heart of town. From there it’s a short walk to the bar. Passengers on our ex-London coach option will be taken straight to their accommodation.
7:00pm to 8:00pm: Tonight your FFA Travel rep will provide a full Tour Debriefing which will include the various transfer information. Because of the large numbers on this tour it is important that you attend this meeting because not all passengers on this tour will be taking the same transfers. A lot of planning has gone into these transfers & it is quite complex so make sure you get there.
8:00pm till late: Following that we will direct you to our huge opening parties. This will be a great opportunity to meet your fellow tourists & rejoice at the fact that the time has come. Tonight’s TV matches are Sweden vs Trinidad and Portugal vs Angola so that’ll no doubt get everyone pumped for tomorrow’s big game against Japan.
Overnight: Frankfurt & surrounding areas
Monday 12 June: Match Day - Australia v Japan in Kaiserslautern, 3pm.
The Aussies are coming! This is it. The wait is over and 20 million Australians back home will be relying on you to give it everything today as we get behind Guus & the boys. Throw on the Aussie clobber, tickle the tonsils and get ready to board our transfers for the trip to Kaiserslautern.
There are various modes of transport to Kaiserslautern. Depending on where you are staying we could be traveling by coach, train or the Aussie Express charter. Your FFA Travel rep will relay this information to you at the Tour Debriefing on June 11.
When you collect your match tickets on the first day you will receive a coach or train seat number & an identification pass that you will need to board this transfer. If you do not bring this pass you will not be permitted to board. All our transfers follow German train etiquette so if you sit in someone else’s seat, travel without your pass or you misbehave you will be turfed off & you may be arrested. Please understand German police take this very seriously.
When we get to Kaiserslatern & depart the train there will be an incredible mass of people at the one time. Please walk out of the Hopphanhof & follow these instructions to get to an area that we recommend for pre-match festivities.
The street straight ahead is the Richard-Wagner-Strasse. Please turn diagonally right into Pirmasenser Birmasenser which becomes Kerst Strasse which then becomes Markt Strasse (note: it’s all the one street) This street will take you down to the main bar region.
At the bottom of that hill on your right is the Fan Fest Live Site on Stiftsplatz. However as we are the first game of the day we will continue straight ahead past the Fan Fest. At the end of Markt Strasse you will cross the road where directly ahead of you is the area that is St MartinPlatz.
St MartinPlatz is the epicenter of our pre-match activity featuring seven bars, a medieval fountain & an amphitheatre of pre-match hype. You will see just how crazy this area is when you get there. Our plan is to turn this into Aussie-Platz today.
1:00pm: After a few beers & many songs we depart & make our way along the 'World Cup Mile' which leads to the stadium. We aim to be in the ground by 1:30pm as we count down the last hour for the most eagerly awaited kick-off in Australian sporting history. From St Martinplatz it is 15 minutes walk up the hill to the stadium.
This stadium has to be seen to be believed. A brand new, steep stadium could not be a more imposing way for each team to start Germany 2006.
3:00pm: Kick Off - Australia v Japan.
Tonight's match is at the Fritz-Walter-Stadion & the opponents are Asian Champions Japan in their opening match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Bring you singing voices, we'll need them over the parochial Japanese fans.
After the game we head back into the city to grab a quick meal in Kaiserslauten at the Live Site in Stifts Platz, before jumping back on the Aussie Express to Frankfurt to continue the celebrating at the Socceroo’s first win over Japan in the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
Your FFA Travel rep will inform you of your departure times at the Tour Debrief on June 11.
Overnight: Frankfurt & surrounding areas
Tuesday 13 June: Chill Out at The Beach
11:00am: This morning most of us will no doubt be a little slow out of the blocks. So after a lazy start to the day we head to Frankfurt’s amazing Beach Club set along the Main River where we have booked the venue for the perfect recovery session in a setting that can only be described as Cancuun comes to Europe – white sand, deck chairs, beach umbrellas, funky bars, dj’s, hi-tech dance floors & more. It’ll blow you away.
Meet your FFA Tour Rep in the lobby of the hostel as we will be leaving here on mass at 11:00am.
The live action continues tonight with the crunch European derby between France & Switzerland followed by the big one, Brazil vs Croatia, a result that could be crucial to Australia’s chances.
Overnight: Frankfurt & surrounding areas
Wednesday 14 June: Munich & Lawrence of Arabia
Tour note: at this time we are still waiting on the exact time of our charter train departure times from the local organising committee. We hope to know soon but they have told us that we might have to wait until the end of May due to the large number of bookings they have. We have chartered a whole train so there is not a problem with our train but because it is a charter & not a normal service they need to fit us into a timetable. Please refer back to this once a week before the trip & we will update it as soon as we know. Please don’t call us about that, we will upload it as soon as we know.
TBC am: This morning meet your tour leader in the lobby of your hostel. We will be taking the Aussie Express charter train to Munich in what will no doubt be a sensational experience.
We travel through southern Germany to the Bavarian captial Munich. After settling into our accommodation we prepare for our “Adopt-a-Team” theme day. We don’t expect Tunisia & Saudi Arabia to exactly be flush with traveling fans, so what better way to support the world game than with hundreds of Aussies all kitted out in their best Lawrence of Arabia outfits - half of us rooting for the Saudis, the other half cheering on the Tunisians. We will attempt to purchase tickets out at the stadium.
After returning from the stadium we head to the heart of Munich for tonight’s live screen action as the entire nation stops for the critical Germany vs Poland clash.
Overnight: Munich
Thursday 15 June: Bavarian Bar Crawl
11:00am: Meet at the world famous Marienplatz. This morning we meet up with every single person on FFA Travel’s Tour C: Hostel & Camping for the biggest bar crawl you can imagine. 1,300 Aussies tearing it up on the streets & the local bars of Munich. Our UK office has just returned from an extensive reconnaissance mission which revealed a sensational list of fine establishments.
For the best visual effect please wear 1. Your yellow FFA thongs 2. your FFA Travel board shorts & 3. the yellow FFA long sleeve polo that you received as part of the Package, can you imagine how good this will look with everyone wearing the same gear. Ridiculous! A bit like Where’s Wally x 1,300!
Australia has a strong reputation for breweries and beer drinking but this is nothing compared to the long & proud history in Germany, especially in Bavaria.
Tonight we head out for the live screen action as the Poms take on Sydney FC’s Dwight Yorke and the rest of the T&T boys followed by Sweden vs Paraguay.
Overnight: Munich
Friday 16 June: Free day in Munich
After a hectic first full day in Munich, today is some down time to recharge the batteries. It will no doubt provide a great opportunity to see a few cultural sites or take in the BMW museum.
Tonight’s live action sees Chelsea team mates Arjen Robben and Didier Drogba clash for their respective teams, Holland and Ivory Coast. Then the Mexicans take on the might of Angola.
Overnight: Munich
Saturday 17 June: Aussies Love Brazilians
Munich will be abuzz today as the Brazilian juggernaut roles into town. Check out the city by day before we team up with the Brazilian supporters at our official pre-match Samba Party complete with Brazilian beats, beauties and fine Bavarian beer.
On our recent trip to the FIFA draw the Brazilian organising committee were over the moon at the idea of the party & pledged to support it in every way. Both Australians and Brazilians are well known as the friendliest and best supporters in the world so when the two join forces tonight it’ll be simply crazy. Might be a good idea to brush up on a few Patrick Swayze Dirty Dancing moves before cutting up the dance floor at this one.
7:00pm: Brazil & Australia Samba Party – Lowenbraukeller Beer Hall. am Stiglmaierplatz, FSG-Betriebs GmbH GF Fritz Seyferth, Nymphenburger Strasse 2.
Tonight will be one of the highlights of the tour & something not to be missed. With over 2,500 Socceroo fans buzzing to the local umpa band, throw in the samba beats & we are in for something special.
12:00 midnight: Party ends & it’s back to your hostel or maybe onto another establishment.
Tonight's party flavour will be spiced up with all the live excitement from the USA vs Italy and Czech vs Ghana matches.
Overnight: Munich
Sunday 18 June: Match Day – Australia vs Brazil in Munich. 6pm kick-off.
The butterflies will start early today as the Aussies head into the lion’s den against the greatest superpower we’ve ever seen in sport, Brazil.
10:30am: We depart our hostel after a lazy few hours & head out to our pre-match party at Aumeister OHG, Sondermeierstraße 1, 80939 München.
We have booked the whole beer garden for all FFA Travel passengers so here's an opportunity to meet up with your fellow fans & savour what will be a tour highlight. The beer garden is in the beautiful English Garden & flanked by some of Munich's best scenary.
3:00pm: We depart here & take the train to the stadium where we take our allotted seats at the 66,000 seat Munich stadium. Today it’s the game we have all been waiting for as the Socceroos take on world champions Brazil in their second match of the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Bring you singing voices, as we cheer the boys onto Victory.
6:00pm: Kick Off - Australia v Brazil
Regardless of the result, we plan to be giving thanks for the football spectacle we have just witnessed by visiting one of Munich’s many bars en route to the hotel. We get off the train at Marienplatz – the scene of massive celebrations by Bayern Munich fans after their recent Bundesliga championship. This is the traditional home of football celebration in Munich - here's hoping, we will also be celebrating a great Socceroo victory.
Overnight: Munich
Monday 19 June: Socceroo Training Session
We have had confirmation that Guus Hiddink will allow FFA Travel passengers the opportunity to attend today's session in Oehringen so we will be traveling up to this great little town.
There are various modes of transport to Oehringen. Depending on where you are staying we could be traveling by coach, train or the Aussie Express charter. Your FFA Travel rep will relay this information to you at the Tour Debriefing on June 11.
The town of Oehringen are expecting us today & this place really has to be seen to be believed. The town has adopted the Aussie team with every single bar, shop & restaurant already proudly flying Australian flags. We can guarantee you are in for a special today.
This really is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see the boys in Camp so bring the camera. You will need to bring your FFA Travel identification pass that you will receive when you collect your tickets, as ID will be required to attend.
Following the training session we spend the afternoon in the town square watching the 6pm match between the Ukraine and Saudi Arabia in Hamburg.
TBC pm: Our transfer departs Oehringen back to Munich.
Overnight: Munich
Tuesday 20 June: Salzburg & Austrian Alps
9:00am: Meet your FFA Travel rep in the hostel lobby. Today is a big day as we head off to Salzburg and Austrian Alps.
The hills are alive with the sound of music! Despite being one of the cheesiest musicals ever, The Sound of Music did provide the setting for some of the most stunning scenery possible & has become a cult movie classic. Today we drive through Salzburg plus the breathtaking Austrian Alps and beautiful summer lakes, a region of Natural and World Heritage. We travel along the majestic Alpine roads to experience the largest ice caves and underground glacier in the world. Our trip includes the impossibly positioned town of Hallstatt with its extraordinary bone house.
The adrenaline junkies can get their kicks in the beautiful surroundings of the Austrian Alps. Options include canyoning, sky diving, river rafting, paragliding, mountain biking…. or even trout fishing for the Rex Hunt’s amongst us. Fees are payable for the various activities. In the down time we will be chilling at a conspicuous Australian pub.
We then head back to Munich and straight out to see the massive clash between England and Sweden.
Overnight: Munich
Wednesday 21 June: Munich
Today is free to check out Munich and knock off the souvenir shopping list for those mini soccer balls you promised your little cousin and that Bavarian t-towel for gran.
5:00pm: Meet at the world famous Marienplatz. From here we will have a few drinks before travelling out to the stadium to try & see tonights match between the Cote DiVoire & Serbia match at 9pm in Munich.
Overnight: Munich
Thursday 22 June: Match Day – Australia vs Croatia in Stuttgart, 9pm.
This is crunch time and tonight’s fixture will likely determine the fate of both teams.
Tour note: at this time we are still waiting on the exact time of our charter train departure times from the local organising committee. We hope to know soon but they have told us that we might have to wait until the end of May due to the large number of bookings they have. We have chartered a whole train so there is not a problem with our train but because it is a charter & not a normal service they need to fit us into a timetable. Please refer back to this once a week before the trip & we will update it as soon as we know. Please don’t call us about that, we will upload it as soon as we know.
TBC am: This morning meet your tour leader in the lobby of your hotel before TBC. We meet all the other Tour C tourists at TBC for the Aussie Express from the Munich Hauptbahnhof to Stuttgart. We arrive into Stuttgart before lunch & enjoy a day walking around the town square before meeting up with your fellow fans at our official pre-match gig.
4:00pm: Make your way to our pre-match function at the Bier Garten im schlossgarten (Stuttgart Beer Garden) Am Schlossgarten 18, 70173 which we have booked out for this tour.
At 4pm, the Czech Republic takes on Italy in Hamburg, while Ghana takes on the USA in Nuremburg at the same time for final Group E standings.
While the Socceroos battle with Croatia, fellow pool teams Brazil will be playing Japan in Dortmund at 9pm, the result of which could directly affect Australia’s progress to the round-of-16.
We stay at the Beer Garden until 7pm when we make our way to the ground via the S-Bahn. We then take our allotted seats at the 53,000 seat Gobler-Daimler stadium to watch the Socceroos take on Croatia in their third, and hopefully not final, match of the 2006 World Cup. Bring you singing voices, as we cheer the boys onto Victory.
9:00pm: Kick Off - Australia v Croatia
With both eyes on the game, we will also have one ear to the radio, listening to the Brazil/Japan game.
Based on the results, this could be a big night in Stuttgart as we head back to meet all Socceroo fans in the town square. Whether it be celebrating the Socceroos first appearance at the World Cup in 32 years or their progress to the next level of the tournament, tonight will be one to savour and to celebrate 13 great days of world football.
After the match let's hope we're celebrating Australia’s triumph into the round of sixteen before we return to Munich on the Aussie Express – time TBC.
Overnight: Munich
Friday 23 June: Farewell to our new mates
This morning we say farewell to our new mates with a swag of lifelong memories behind us.
For those flying out of Frankfurt our coaches will be offering the Aussie Express for those going to London your transfer coaches will depart from Munich. Your FFA Travel rep will relay this information to you at the Tour Debriefing on June 11.
