London Olympics 2012: Got Your Game Plan?

Just four years ago, Beijing had its moment in the sun as host of the Summer Olympic Games. Now, it’s London’s time to shine.

Haven’t booked your flight to catch a piece of the action yet? Don’t despair. Procrastinators can still plan a trip to the London Games, which run from 27 July to 12 August, that is, if you’re willing to shell out extra cash and be flexible on trip planning.

And even if you don’t fancy the Olympics, London has no shortage of unique holiday activities – especially if you’re a literature lover or just can’t quite get enough of William and Kate.

The Olympic Ticket

Tickets to the Beijing Olympics were better than affordable — as little as RMB 60 (£5.80) for the athletics finals. But don’t expect to get so lucky in London, where the same ticket costs nearly ten times that (£50, RMB 510).

While many tickets have sadly been snatched up already, there are still some available for certain competitions. At the time of writing, a recent search at China Travel Service (www.ctshk.com), the website of the Games’ official ticket agent in China and Hong Kong showed that tickets for fencing, diving, beach volleyball and equestrian events were still on sale for the year’s hottest sporting event.

For those who aren’t lucky enough to secure a golden ticket, not to worry; you can still try staking out a spot on the sidelines. Catch the games and see London’s sights simultaneously on 5 and 12 August, when Olympic marathon runners will run past landmarks such as the Tower of London, St. Paul’s Cathedral and Buckingham Palace - and you can take it all in for free.

Another option is to take advantage of the BBC’s gigantic screens that will broadcast live coverage of Olympic events across the UK. The biggest events will be shown on screens in Hyde Park and Victoria Park, and if you’re lucky, you can also catch the triathlon and open water events at these venues too, as well as live music and cultural events throughout the day.

What To Do

Even if you don’t fancy the Olympics, 2012 will be a banner year for the UK and there’s a lot more going on than just sport: events to commemorate the 200th birthday of Charles Dickens; the World Shakespeare Festival; and a brand new behind-the-scenes ‘Making of Harry Potter' Tour (www.wbstudiotour.co.uk) that debuted on 31 March.

The latter — located about 20 miles outside of London at the Warner Bros. Studios where all eight films were shot — showcases the movies’ props and costumes, and takes guests to many of the wondrous sets used in the films. What diehard Harry Potter fan wouldn’t want to walk into the iconic Great Hall or the Potions Classroom?

Royal followers will want to wave to Her Majesty as the nation celebrates the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee from 2 - 5 June as well as with various smaller events peppered throughout the year. Some of the highlights will be held at London’s must-visit attractions, including Buckingham Palace (www.royalcollection.org.uk). From 1 August to 30 September, the official headquarters of the Monarch will hold an exhibition open to the public of the Queen’s treasure trove and other diamonds used by the royal family over the last 200 years.

The National Portrait Gallery (www.npg.org.uk) is also holding a celebratory exhibition from 17 May until 21 October with 60 images of Elizabeth II spanning her six-decade reign. Some of the works, by artists like Cecil Beaton, Pietro Annigoni, Annie Leibovitz and Andy Warhol, have never been seen in public.

Where To Stay

To get a feel for five-star Britain, check in to the Royal Garden Hotel, part of the deluxe collection of the World Hotels Group (www.worldhotels.com). The 396-room property — which offers panoramic views of Kensington Palace and Gardens, Hyde Park and London’s skyline — recently underwent a £45 million refurbishment ahead of the Olympic Games.

The revamped rooms, decorated in calming neutrals and rich fabrics, have all the bells and whistles: iPod docking stations, flat-screen TVs, spacious bathrooms with White Company toiletries, and triple-glazed windows for maximum peace and quiet. The hotel is a quick walk away from the Kensington High Street tube station making it easy to get around the city, and also offers a health club and spa, two restaurants, three bars and ten meeting rooms.

Those visiting from China should make sure to dine at the Min Jiang restaurant, Royal Garden’s three AA rosette rated Chinese restaurant located on the 10th floor. You’ll feel at home again when you take a bite out of their Cantonese dim sum or wood-fired Beijing duck, while also taking in one of the best views of London.

Royal Garden Hotel. 2-24 Kensington High Street, London

Tel: +44 (207) 937 8000, Web: www.royalgardenhotel.co.uk