Avoid the Olympics With These 5 Gold Medal Getaways

If the thought of millions of people descending upon London for the Olympics makes you feel as sick as I do, you may be in need of a quick holiday to get away from it all. With many low cost options available, getting out of London for a bit may be the best thing you’ve done all year! Here are our top 5 options for getting away this July and August.

Edinburgh

Considered one of the largest cultural events in Europe, the Edinburgh Festival is home to some of the best comedians, playwrights and actors for the month of August. This magical city makes for a great London getaway as it’s only a 4 hour ride on the train. You can spend your days relaxing, watching free comedy and drinking in one of the many beer gardens or alternatively go exploring through Edinburgh’s cobbled streets. The festival runs for the entire month of August, with hundreds of events every night, meaning you always have something to  be doing. Be sure to have a look at the options available for UK city breaks to get the best deals as Edinburgh can be quite expensive during the month of August.

Paris

Being only 2 hours away from London on the Eurostar, making your last minute escape is most definitely possible. With many cheap hostels and fancy hotels, there is somewhere to stay for all types of budgets. Paris is a wonderful city during the summer as you can spend you days lounging in cafes, eating wonderful French cuisine or hanging out on the Seine. For those of you who want to get a good shopping trip in, head to the uber fashionable Marais for some of the best boutique shopping and relaxed cafes in the city.

Barcelona

The city of Barcelona is a living work of art, with its picturesque bohemian quarters, incredible gothic architecture and surreal Gaudi buildings. Having been the source of inspiration for many artists, this city has a magical atmosphere, from the bustling market of Le Boqueria where you can sample many Catalonian delights to the more relaxed Parc Guell. Whether it’s relaxing in the open air cafes or restaurants, or lazing on the beach, Barcelona’s relaxed pace of life will help teach you a new way of living. Your average all inclusive holiday can cost as little as £300 with Co-operative Travel, making Barcelona a great last minute holiday location.

Rome

If you want to be transported to a city of deep and fascinating history, Rome is the perfect short stay holiday location. Witness some of the world’s greatest architectural works such as the Collosseum and the Sistine chapel at the Vatican. If you get tired of wondering about, you can spend your afternoons in one of the many piazzas eating wonderful Italian cuisine. Flights to Rome can be extremely cheap if booked in advance, so be sure to plan ahead if you want a good deal.

Berlin

If you fancy an unparalleled clubbing experience whilst avoiding the horrible crowds of Ibiza and Mallorca, Berlin is undoubtedly the best place to go in Europe. With legendary clubs such as Watergate and Berghain, expect to hear cuts of techno like no other. If clubbing isn’t quite your thing, you can always spend your time in the wonderful parks all over the city, especially Badeschiff where you can swim in a pool built into the river.