The world has once again gone Olympic crazy and we’re seeing the five coloured rings wherever we turn. With all eyes on London and its medal-worthy athletes this summer, this is the best time to sample and enjoy everything that the capital has to offer. From the buzz around the Olympic village to the finest venues being packed with sporting superstars, London is the only place to head this summer to see all the excitement of the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2012.
Photo by Flickr user Torcello Trio
If you’re cheering on your national team and can’t get enough of everything from the javelin to the 100m sprint, why not go the extra mile to make sure you fully experience London by ticking off our top five things to do while in the city and make your trip as good as gold.
See the sights
No venture to the capital is complete without at least one day spent sightseeing. From giving a royal wave to the Queen at Buckingham Palace, taking a trip around St Paul’s Cathedral or looking out over the Houses of Parliament and the panoramic view of the city by riding the London Eye – absorb the city’s culture and history at every turn, and don’t forget your camera!
Spa break
Whether you were one of the lucky ones to snap up tickets or just fancy experiencing the excitement of the Games, London has plenty for you to do while you’re in town. If you’re hoping for a slightly more relaxing trip to spot Usain Bolt from a distance, why not skip the hotel and head for a pamper session by checking out the many available spa breaks in London to kick back and relax in style?
Take a dip
Tucked away in one of London’s most famous parks, the Serpentine in Hyde Park is an outdoor 28 acre lake where you can swim to your heart’s content – and it gives you the chance to practice your breaststroke and try to beat Rebecca Adlington’s double gold medal at the Beijing Olympics. As the venue for both the Open Water Marathon and the swimming leg of the Triathlon, visit here to cool off from the hot, summer sun.
A pint and a pie
No trip to the Olympic area of East London would be complete without stopping off for a quick pint in a local pub (ask for it in a handled jug for an authentic old-fashioned way of drinking) and sampling the local dish of pie and liquor. Not to be confused with alcohol, the pie and mash combo was originally served with a sauce made originally from the eel stock of the pie filling and parsley, however now you may just get a good slosh of gravy. A must-have for sampling East London cuisine, trust us – you’ll love it!
Massage
After a long day watching the athletes pound the floor at the track and field races, why not wind down with a massage in London? If you feel like you’ve completed the hurdles and walked away with the gold medal, book yourself in for a sports massage like the athletes to soothe aching muscles and refresh sore limbs – leaving you ready to sightsee all over again.