Travel to Oz for the Ashes

With the World Cup now over, sports fans seeking their next jolly in the sun are turning their attention to the 2006/07 Ashes series.

The England cricket team travels to Australia this winter for a crucial series of matches, the high point being the five-Test Ashes series with the hosts.

Every four years, the Ashes provides a fantastic opportunity to combine watching first-class cricket with travelling around Australia at the height of their summer.

The five Tests are being held in each of Australia's major cities, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne and Sydney, giving cricket followers the chance to explore the country's diverse regions.

Current estimates put the number of Brits expected to travel to Australia in support of the team at 40,000.

Tickets to the matches are not the only thing in high demand with hotel rooms in the host cities already selling out.

Rajeev Dani, chief operating officer of Metro Hotels, said: "Bookings are already extremely strong, especially group bookings, and we expect to be fully booked across all properties within the next two months."

England kick off their winter tour with a game against an Australian prime minister's XI in Canberra on November 10th 2006.

But the real action starts on November 23rd when England take on Australia in the first Test at the 'Gabba' in Brisbane, the capital of Queensland.

On December 1st it is on to South Australia and the Adelaide Oval for the second Test. This finishes on December 5th, giving fans nine days to make their way to the Western Australian capital of Perth.

The fourth Test starts in Melbourne - famed for its rattling trams, northern European feel and one of the world's most famous cricket grounds in the MCG - on Boxing Day, before the final Test in Sydney beckons on January 2nd.

For Ashes tours, see the England and Wales Cricket Board's official travel partners: Thomas Cook and
Grand Cru

Ticket information is available from the Cricket Australia website at: cricket.com.au XXX