Fact Sheets & Video - Germany

During the World Cup, the 5-star Wald-und-Schlosshotel in Friedrichsruhe will transform into HQ for the Socceroos.

FIFA has spared no expense in putting up our team in this former palace and hunting lodge which is located in one of the wealthiest regions in Europe. It is also relatively close to all three World Cup cities that Australia will be playing in: Stuttgart (70kms), Kaiserslautern (155kms) and Munich (230kms). For about a month it will be taken over by the 23-man Socceroos team and their posse. They will be able to dine in the Michelin star restaurant (although they will probably forgo the foie gras for a steak sandwich) and brush up on some different ball skills at the nearby 18-hole golf course.

Training will take place five minutes from the hotel, at the Ohringen's Otto Meister Stadium which has been re-turfed especially for the Socceroos. When the boys want to swap the pitch for some pampering they can enjoy the men's special at the hotel's on-site beauty farm. The Socceroos arrive in Germany on June 5th and if all goes well they will stay on until the July 9 final in Berlin...

Stuttgart is preparing to go into overdrive for the World Cup. Australia will play Croatia here on 22nd June and the Gottilieb-Daimler Stadium will host the third-place play off. If you don't have a ticket to the stadium, don't worry - Castle Square in the centre of the city will have 5 massive 60sq metre TV screens. They will broadcast all 64 matches live and will have room for 70,000 fans - more than the 55,000 that the stadium can fit! Stuttgart is perhaps best known for being the home of two motoring giants - Mercedes Benz and Porsche - and each car company also has its own car museum in the city. Incidentally, the Mercedes Benz museum hosts the world's first car ever built. What is less known is that it's one of the greenest cities in Germany and is home to the second largest mineral springs in Europe. The city also boasts a beach club in a very unlikely location - on the rooftop of a multi-storey car-park!

Further Information

Thai Airways International & Lufthansa to Frankfurt return flights from $2010 ex Sydney. Prices include taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Lufthansa

1300 655 727

Rooms at Wald-und Schlosshotel from $181 a night. Based on twin share and includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Includes breakfast.

Website: www.relaischateaux.com/waldschloss

Rooms at Mercure Hotel Stuttgart City Centre from

$133 a night. Based on twin share and includes taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply.

Mercure Hotel Stuttgart City Centre

0011 49 711 255580

Car hire from $47 a day. Prices include taxes. Subject to fluctuation. Conditions apply. Based on 14+ day rental of economy vehicle.

DriveAway Holidays

1300 363 500

Prices correct at 05/6/06