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Head via Kassel and stop over in Göttingen. Great town with a large student population and good nightlife. From there you could head to the Harz mountains and do some outdoors-ey stuff.

Hello Martin,

Enjoy every 'step of the way' travelling through Germany. Hope you have enjoyed being here and wish you lots of happy memories.

Alles Gute und Schöne für Sie!
Anna

May the best team win and may the best team be Germany :)
I found a fun clip of the Italian team training for special manouvers which makes for a good laugh.

Lets hope the last four matches treat us to some fantastic football.

The Harz mountains (national park) are on your way. You could take the steam locomotive from Wernigerode up to the Brocken (highest point of the Harz, 1141m), enjoy spectacular views and check out the old border facilities from the cold war. Also, the Harz region has some beautiful old towns, like Goslar and Quedlinburg. Especially Quedlinburg is a dream! Medieval, completely preserved and a world heritage site.
You could also visit the Baltic sea and spend a day on the beach the german way, which means FKK, Strandkorb, Fischsemmel in a very relaxed atmosphere. The spas there, like Sellin, Binz (Ruegen), Ahlbeck or Bansin (Usedom) are quite spectacular.

It's out of season, and as you've been to my football temple, the ArenaAuf Schalke, already I would suggest a pilgrimage to the other end of German football, St. Pauli in Hamburg, before you move onto Berlin.

Direct next to the Reperbahn, St. Pauli is supported by punks and anarchos, and the air on the terraces is always pungent from the sweet smell of Jamaican Marlboros.

Check them out online here:

Hope you continue enjoying Germany and the World Cup, and your journey goes well.

Viele schöne Grüße aus Kölle,

Spinelli666

go visit the 'Schuetzenfest' in hanover, which is a carnival sort of thing (it's europes largest 'marksman fetival'!). it's right across from the stadium and the fanfest (to watch france's semi), and you can try hanovers national drink - 'lüttje lage'. decide who of you'll have to drive the next day first, though...

Hi Mar'in!

Hope you enjoyed Cup times in Good ole G. I have lived in Berlin for 10 years and would like to recommend the YAAM for a chill out Saturday eve, an outdoor spot with a large beach area, Brazilian Caiphirina (remember that team from down there? Well done, Vive la France!) and loads of Reggae, Ska and Soca tunes. In addition you get some great Caribbean and African food. Nice place, nice people, great chill factor.

Greetings from Derby
Sven

I couldn't agree more with what Martin (current No. 4) suggested. The only thing I'd like to add is that Berlin has some fine places as well. First of all, the city isn't only a concrete jungle but is surrounded by a couple of really nice lakes. That might be nice for a braek in the sweltering heat. Try the Wannsee in the old West or the Müggelsee in the old east. City life at its best happens in many of the central districts. I would suggest the Prater beer garden in Kastanienallee, Prenzlauer Berg. Café am Neuen See is another nice open air venue and it's quite close to the "Fan Mile" - just opposite the Spanish Embassy. Well, there's definitely more to Berlin but I'm sure there will be zillions of other entries here :-)

The effects of Sports Relief will be very positive and Germans will also accept this initiative very positively. No matter how speedy you were in running rather it is to say that you all are doing a very good job and this time you need some suggestions for making a visit in your way but I am sorry to say that I do not know about the places in Germany. I, however, am sure that you will get some suggestion by the Germans as they also did response providing suggestions in the last few weaks. I hope you will share your new experience with your readers.

I heard the English Service of China Radio International on my Short Wave Radio. They interviewed the coach of the Chinese Team [during their preparations for the Asia Cup 2006].

Their coach predicted a win for Germany because of being the host country and nationalistic issues.

Yup, I vote for FKK on the island of Rügen, too. ;-)

On your way there you might want to visit Stralsund, where Angela Merkel will welcome Geroge W. Bush on July 12th, only days after we got our 4th star ;-)... I wonder whether he'd know about football, sorry - soccer - at all...

Please don't do Magdeburg! I mean... WHY would anyone ever go there VOLUNTARILY?

Check out Potsdam, where Churchill had one of this great moments...

And yes, Quedlinburg is a must-see from my POV.

Hi Martin,

I‘m a constantly reader of your blog and enjoy it a lot.

For sure it could be an alternative to watch the second semi at the official Fan Fest Hannover. As you said you would use the A2 on your way eastern, Hannover is directly at his route.
But to be honest it isn`t one of the best venues you find these days all over Germany.
So go 60 miles ahead if you prefer to watch it in a private atmosphere. i.e. feel invited to come to the small town of Helmstedt. You can watch with me and some of my friends. * the majority of them are looking forward to see the french side goin‘ through to the final* We'll have a BBQ and good cold beer (you are long enough here in „the land of beer„, so you know it will be good) as we always does in the past 3 weeks. Due we use a video projector there's big screen to be expect.

Some Army vets might know our town, as nearby was the former checkpoint Alpha. The biggest at the former frontier between east and west.
You can visit the former eastern checkpoint with the watchtowers and all the sort of stuff that the GDR regime uses to kept their people. It is frightening.
.
The mentioned Harz mountains are also just 50 miles away.
Potsdam close to Berlin is also a nice spot to visit. Berlin itself have so much to offer that you spend weeks there
So if like to come, please mail me.

wish you both a lot of fun during your last days overhere....
stephan
(I‘m sure we‘ll find a shower for you, too)

I’ve really enjoyed all your blog articles here so far. It’s quite fascinating to see my own country through the eyes of visitors.

As suggested in comments No. 4 and 8 I would also recommend the Harz Mountains. Fit it a bit of tourism, take a break. Board the vintage steam train from Wernigerode up to the Brocken, the highest peak around. You will surely enjoy the scenery and presumably meet hundreds of non-World-Cup tourists.

Head over to Nienburg/Weser and pick up my relatives (theyre heading to the uk for my wedding for a few weeks so I'm sure they wont mind the side trip to the WC Finals lol otherwise visit lubeck and make yourself ill on Marzipan (lil bit out the way but fun none the less)

Head over to Nienburg/Weser and pick up my relatives (theyre heading to the uk for my wedding in a few weeks so I'm sure they wont mind the side trip to the WC Finals lol otherwise visit lubeck and make yourself ill on Marzipan (lil bit out the way but fun none the less)

Make a stop-over in Hanover and join the official fan-fest to see the second semi-final. Hopefully great atmosphere, Hannover 96 has very enthusiastiuc supporters. Hanover also has some nice bars and restaurants and some very good clubs.

Most impotantly, Hanover has great beer and the best beer garden in Germany. Go to the beer garden next to the "Wülfeler Brauereigaststätten" on Hildesheimer Strasse and enjoy the best spare ribs ever. Drink Gilde, Hanover`s beer since 1546.

Like the guy on comment 8 I would also suggest when in Berlin go to the Prater beer garden in Kastanienallee, Prenzlauer Berg. Its very laid back, great atmosphere. The streets and cafes nearby are great too.

Some great suggestions - thanks.

We'll be looking at our map in detail in the morning - although I'm very drawn to the BBQ invite from Stephen - comment 12.

To everyone who suggested Hannover - I was at that fan fest for the Spain v France game - Fletch was in the ground the (expletive deleted) - great atmosphere and I particularly enjoyed the beach football outside.

Didn't sample the local bew as far as I can remember - but there were some very strong Irish coffees in an Italian restaurant so who knows what happened after that.

Berlin's Newton Bar in Charlottenstrasse is great for cocktails and you'll love the decor ;)

So glad Germany are out. I couldn't stand watching the final and have each time the opposition touch the ball the home fans whistle. What's that all about? It's certainly not sportsmanship.

Would have preferred it to have been on penalties but hey ho..The german press has been absolutely savage regarding the italians (and England too by the way..the BILD zeitung has always been obsessed with England though) so they deserve the proverbial..completely echo nick's comments about the whistling from the first minute..bizarre..oh well bye bye Germany

nick, as a German I agree. The fan's behaviour really was a shame tonight.

Just to put it a bit into perspective though, there's been a lot of bad blood over the Thorsten Frings issue the last days. Italian media picked the story up and that let FIFA to examine the matter again and to Frings missing this game.

However, this of course doesn't excuse the fan's behaviour.

Anyway, though I'm of course disappointed that Germany didn't make it to the final, I think Italy really deserved to win today. Though Germany was good, Italy simply was better.

Congrats to Italy and good luck in the final!

Hi Martin,

looking forward to hear from you tomorrow morning. We'll be in good mood despite the defeat of our team tonight. A good game, a close game. After all the italians were slight better, so they deserve their win.

CU tomorrow

Stephan

Watching the Germany-Italy game tonight had made me think more deeply than any previous did.

What Germany did well against major teams was holding a tie for penalties, and this seemed to be the case in tonights game, in wich case Germany would without a doubt win again. However the Italinas gave them the blow of mercy twice in the last minute wich would easely never hapen if very few things had happened differently. Was Argentina just unlucky enough to be in this scenario?

I say Argentina would beat Italy hands down wich makes tonight result apear Paradoxal.

Im my honest opinion is that Germany team had beaten the odds again and they werent realy as good as they thought to be, except in penalties.

I found Germany-Italy game a bit borring for my taste. the 2 teams were mainly defensive and far to tactical, and germany made the mistake to follow suit, as we know the Italians have beaten oponents in the last minute several times wich is not the Germans speciality and it proved so this time.

I also would like to note the difference between the Germans mentality torwards this game. There were nasty fouls and some dives, but I bet the germans will never count the number of dives the italians made to say they were cheated.

The referee made some mistakes though, 1 clear penalty and he signasl foul outside the box. Im intrigued by that.

When in Berlin, the streetfootballworld/festival06 is a must! 22 teams from social / street projects from all over the world are playing fast-paced 5a-side-football for the Copa André Escobar, thus taking a stand against drugs, violence and racial hatred. The Cup is named after the Colombian National player Escobar, who was murdered after he scored an own goal during the 94 WC in the US.
Finals will be on Saturday! Unfortunately the Nigerian and Ghanean teams were denied their visa-applications... bit schizzo considering the federal government is co-financing the event...
Anyway, go to Kreuzberg's Mariannenplatz for not just streetfootball, but a brilliant crowd and wonderful atmosphere, hanging out with people from all over the world, music, films, and so on... the improvised stadium from scaffolding itself is well worth checking out!
check out www.festival06.org to find out more.

Pilotasso are you mad? it was a belter of a game, both teams palyed great.
It was without any doubt the best game of the touranament, I think you're just gelous for some reason.

what a wonder ful game that was the best so far by miles. enroute berlin i believe by now. enjoy yurself.

regards
ab

hi pilotasso,

i think u are very much mistaken, this has been the best match in this tournament and it was by no means defensive. just look at stats.

bye
ab

Pilotasso must have been watching a different game to everyone else - well, almost everyone else. Last night on German TV Sepp Blatter was asked for his comments on the game. The gist was that the 30 minutes extra time made up for the disappointing first 90 minutes.
For me, and I'm sure I'm not alone because I've heard similar comments all morning, it was one of those 0-0 games that you're glad you watched because of the passion, tactical cleverness and sheer attacking will of both teams. Imagine, Italy with 4 strikers playing by the end of the game!
Who agrees that Blatter is a burocrat who knows precious little about football and would be well advised to keep his mouth shut when asked about events on the pitch?

I think it's pointless responding to pilotasso..all posts have been way off the mark, leaving us wondering if he's even a football fan, never anything positive to say. Ah, pilotassol...

"nothing positive to say"? Now your reversing roles a litle heh? :)

Anyway, I was saying the game was boring, I might have a different taste, than yours dont blame me. I would have liked both teams to attack more. Intead they defended.
I only saw 2 exciting minutes of the game, when both goals were scored and that was because both teams opened up the game (finaly).
Italy plays like that, never liked their stylie too much and if somehow my team survives the French tonight, it will be one of those games. It will be very hard to get through their packed defense. and the germans failed to score because of that. We may suffer the same.

Personaly I found France VS spain and all of the Argentinian games in the group stages best. I wont speak about any of my team games because I know the "positiveness" that awaits me for each and all of those games. :p