With less than 100 days to go till the Olympic Games, the hype in London is certainly heating up with one of the world’s largest congregations. For those fortunate enough to make this AAA Olympiad you’ll need to be prepared for some large celebrations and even larger crowds as London is pulls out all the stops on showing why it is one of the best cities in the world.

Summer in London is one hell of an experience but it can also be incredibly difficult. OK, flights can be found at pretty good prices, thanks to the three major airports having the capacity for many visitors. But accommodation can be a different story. With prices inflating at an alarming rate and quite often the quality dropping during the high season, such a scenario can only be amplified when the city hosts one of the world’s most major events like this summer’s Olympic Games.

With ballots for some sports, especially the major ones including the finals for track and field not out yet, it can be difficult to plan on accommodation. So the rush to arrange a place to sleep can be quite stressful, no doubt. Serviced apartments in London are probably the best way to go in terms of finding a place to situate yourself. Websites like Wimdu.co.uk are one of the best platforms to begin your search as they make the whole process easy and simple for last minute bookings.

It is understandable that most people who are flocking to see the Olympics would rather be out and about, enjoying the buzz in London. But with the flood of people and hype, it can get a bit too much and finding a comfortable space to relax and rewind will be crucial to enjoy this occasion to the maximum.

With hotels and hostel receptions coming and going with people as well, serviced apartments will be the option of choice as you can stay in a place which is a little more private. For tourists making their way to the Olympics then this is the best option for accommodation, especially if you don’t want to pay premium prices. In fact for all last-minute bookings on travel, websites like Wimdu are one of the best points of call. Where you would have to accept a notable drop in quality to make a budget hotel booking, this is often not the case when booking a serviced apartment. Just a short amount of time spent searching the available properties will reveal a whole host of choices, from town houses to penthouses depending on your preference, which are competitively priced.

London is one of the world’s great cities and has an almost infinite list of tourist hotspots.  However for travellers who don’t want to spend their holiday stood in a queue there lots of options which are worth considering.

Like many cities London now as a cycle hire scheme which allows visitors to rent a bicycle for a few hours for a very small charge and no subscription.  This is a great way to explore the parts of the city which you would not normally see. One of the main advantages of this is being able to avoid the underground which often gets hot during the summer.  It is also a much cheaper way of seeing the whole city as open top tour buses now charge over £30 per person.  Cycling has becoming increasingly popular in London over the last few years and as a result it is very safe, but it is always worth wearing a helmet just in case.

London Wetland Centre has been described as London’s best kept secret by Time Out Magazine.  This 105-acre wildlife centre was created in 2000 by the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust. This centre plays home to many different species of rarely spotted birds and aquatic creatures.  Tucked away in a loop of the Thames this Centre offers a range of activities for those who are not kept amused by bird watching. These actives range from bat-spotting walks to wildlife photography classes which are open to all ages.

For those who are want to see the real London on their trip the best way is to stay in the home of a real Londoner. onefinestay allows guests to stay in an upscale home while the owners are away and provides them with all the amenities of a top hotel. The homes which are available include large five bedroom family homes in Hampstead and this two bedroom flat next in St Pancras Chambers.

The majority of travellers have a strong preference for either exploring large cities such as London or New York or lounging around in beach areas like Thailand or Hawaii. The latter group sometimes describe cities as boring, unimaginative and difficult to navigate.

One city that truly breaks that mould is San Francisco, California -­ one of the most eclectic cities in the world. There really is something for everyone in the City by the Bay with many great attractions including museums, art and plenty of activities to keep every member of the family busy.

But the main thing that sets San Francisco apart from other cities is its neighbourhoods. There are over 100 neighbourhoods in San Francisco and before you visit, you’ll need to do your research on which neighbourhoods you want to spend time in.

There are two neighbourhoods that you just can’t miss during a visit to San Francisco -­ Fisherman’s Wharf, the most visited tourist destination in the city and The Castro, a must-­visit neighbourhood for anyone interested in gay lifestyle and culture.

Fisherman’s Wharf

Any tourist to San Francisco can’t leave the city without at least spending a day at Fisherman’s Wharf. There are several attractions here that are worth visiting, particularly Pier 39 where you can get up close with hundreds of Sea Lions (or “Sea­‐Lebrities” as some like to call them).

There’s also the historic Hyde Street Cable Car Turnaround and if you do somehow get bored of Fisherman’s Wharf, the ferry terminals to Sausalito, Tiburon and Alcatraz are there to take you away to another enjoyable destination.

The Castro

The Castro was homosexualized during the gay liberation movement of the 1960’s and 70’s and is now the largest gay neighbourhood in the United States. Here you will find history, the famous Castro Theatre and plenty of colour.

It is the perfect place to locate yourself if you want to explore the rest of the city due to its links to public transport.

Fisherman’s Wharf and The Castro are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to San Francisco – there is so much of this city to explore that you could easily spend a few weeks here and still not see everything on your list!