Munich

The Games

Fri 9 June (1700): Germany v Costa Rica (Gp A)

Wed 14 June (1700): Tunisia v Saudi Arabia (Gp H)

Sun 18 June (1700): Brazil v Australia (Gp F)

Wed 21 June (2000): Ivory Coast v Serbia & Montenegro (Gp C)

Sat 24 June (1600): 2nd round (1st Gp A v 2nd Gp B)

Fri 30 June (1600): Semi-final

Oktoberfest, Englischer Garten, German Museum: Various attractions lure millions of tourists to this city each year. The capital of bavaria with its 1.3 million inhabitants is one of the world's major high-tech-hubs as well as an important center of the financial and insurance industries. FC Bayern is Germany's most successful soccer club and in 1972 Munich hosted the olympic games.

What's the vibe? Lederhosen, oompah bands and beer: this is the heart of Bavaria. Internationally known for its beer festival, the Oktoberfest, it was decreed legal to sell booze outdoors here even before it was legal to sell food. The city is dotted with Biergarten. Look out for the Englischer Garten, the Chinese beer garden, the Greek temple and the Schoenfeldwiese, an area reserved for nude sunbathing since the Sixties. Not everyone is quite so swinging in ol' Bavaria, however: the traditional outfit of trachten - felt jackets, lace collars and feathers in caps is still a common sight.

Catch the match: Head to the old Olympia Park originally built for the 1972 Olympics. The sweeping canopied roof here was designed to imitate the Alps.

Miss the match: Hire a car and head out on the Romantic Road to explore some of Bavaria's fairytale castles, medieval towns and mountain scenery.

Halftime snacks: Traditional Bierstube (pubs) are everywhere, with their lace curtains and dark wooden panelling; they serve standard Bavarian fare of roast meats and gravies. Italy isn't far away and there is an excellent range of Italian delis, coffee shops and restaurants.