Viator Travel Blog

So, the flame has been extinguished and London 2012 is over. Two fabulous competitions: the Olympics and the Paralympics were enjoyed by millions. The athletes amazed the world and London was given a burst of new energy. But just because it’s over doesn’t mean you won’t still enjoy a lasting Olympic legacy in London. That was one of the main aims of the organizers – to leave the city with more than just memories.

The 2012 London Olympics… in the form of a handy infographic guide!

If you’ve traveled often enough, no doubt you’ve come home from more than one trip wanting to do an Olympic-style dismount through the front door. With summer travel in full swing and all the hub-bub surrounding the 2012 Olympics in London, which starts July 27, we got to thinking what a Travel Olympics might look like. Can you think of an event to add to this list?

Heading to England this year but only have a week to tour the island? Thankfully, England’s small size and rapid train network means you can whiz easily from city to city and with the masses descending on the capital for the Olympics celebrations, there’s no better time to venture a little further north. From exploring the Queen’s official residence at Windsor Castle to experiencing modern-day Beatlemania in Liverpool or walking the footsteps of a legend on Nottingham’s famous Robin Hood trail, here are a few ideas for your one week itinerary in England.

The London 2012 Olympics doesn’t start until July 27, but we’ve already given out our medals for the Travel Olympics.

Unless you’ve been living in a submarine these last few months, you won’t have missed the fact that the UK is having a big year. Queen Elizabeth’s Silver Jubilee went off with a big — though sometimes rainy — bang, and it’s now only a few weeks to the 2012 London Olympics, which run from July 27 through August 12.

In the summer of 2012, London will be awash with visitors from all over the world as the capital hosts the XXX Olympic Games from July 27th to August 12th and the Paralympics from August 29th to September 9th. While events will be scattered over venues throughout the southeast of England, the centerpiece of the Games will be the Olympic Park situated in Stratford in East London some six miles from the city center.

Editor’s Note: If you’re visiting China as the 2008 Beijing Olympics come to a close, check out Viator’s mini-guide for travelers. We’ve also covered suggested itineraries in Beijing as part of our Beijing tours & things to do in Beijing listings. Since 2004, a giant digital clock in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square has been counting down [...]

Last week, Canberra, Australia’s small capital city, played host to the controversial Olympic Torch as it makes its way around the world. Organisers described it as the most successful outing yet for the flame – which isn’t really saying much after the chaotic debacles of Paris, London and San Francisco and the security-deadened, almost invisible [...]