Thomas Cook halves price of Olympic tickets
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Travel agent Thomas Cook has halved the price of its Olympic ticket and hotel deals in a limited offer to boost sales a month before the Games begin.
The four-day sale which ends on Monday 2 July is on across the 1,100 agency network and online with prices ranging between £100 and £1,000.
Thomas Cook, which has official permission to sell Olympic tickets, is offering budget accommodation with the tickets, meaning a ticket for a Britain versus Belgium hockey game with a one-night hotel stay at Travelodge now costs £149 instead of £399.
Managing director of Thomas Cook's London 2012 partnership, Stephen Vaughan said: 'It's no secret that there are generally more tickets available than people predicted a month ago.'
The sale, which coincides with many people's last pay day weekend before the Games starts, is on the remaining Games Breaks that the travel agent has available.
Travel Weekly revealed that the biggest discount was for a two-night break covering the opening ceremony and beach volleyball with accommodation at the Holiday Inn in Mayfair for £3,999 per person instead of £4,999.
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Check out David Beckham's sightseeing tips for Olympic tourists...
David Beckham's Best of Britain
- Take a tour of Buckingham Palace<p> “I've always been brought up to love the Royal Family and this year is a special year with the Queen's Jubilee. Buckingham Palace is in the heart of London and it’s been the scene of so many great moments in British history – none of us will ever forget the amazing wedding last year and best of all, it’s open for visitors during the summer so you can have a look around the State Apartments."</p>
- Eat at one of London's best restaurants<p> “You can get great food from all over the world in Britain and some of the best restaurants in the world can be found in London. Whether it’s a special night out at the Ivy, Ceconnis or Nobu, somewhere new like the Bread St Kitchen or Nopi in London."</p>
- Stop off at a British pub<p> “Britain is famous for its countryside, and where better to end a bracing walk than sat by a log fire in one of our beautiful country pubs. The best places will always welcome kids and serve great local food.”</p>
- Shop til you drop!<p> “Britain leads the world in fashion and has some of the best shopping experiences in the world. Manchester’s designer stores around the Northern Quarter are a match for anything in London, but if you don’t have time to leave the capital then you will be spoilt for choice around town and some fantastic markets like Camden, Portobello and Spitalfields."</p>
- Experience some real East London Food<p> “And here’s an insider's tip for a real East London food experience– you’ve got to try Pie & Mash (Tony Lane's Pie & Mash shop in Waltham Abbey is my favourite)."</p> <p class="p1"> </p>
- Get some fresh air in a Royal Park<p> “Families can get out in the fresh air at one of the London’s Royal Parks with the kids – Hyde Park and Regents Park are like an oasis in the Central London. Or get away from it all in Richmond Park where you can see wild deer, horse ride and amazing views across London."</p>
- Take the kids to Thorpe Park<p> “Kids can’t get enough of theme parks as I know being a father of four. You're never far away from one in Britain: Alton Towers is close to Stoke and just outside London you’ll find Thorpe Park. New in town is the Warner Bros. Studio Tour where you can see the making of Harry Potter movies."</p>
- Go on a stadium tour<p> "I've been fortunate to play in The Premier League, one of the greatest football leagues in the world, and you can’t beat the atmosphere of being there for a game. If you can’t catch a game across the country then check out the fantastic stadium tours at places like Old Trafford, Anfield and Stamford Bridge, and of course, Wembley."</p>
- Play a round at St Andrews Golf Course<p> “It seems like many sports in the world have their origins in Britain and Scotland is the home of golf. It's where the game was invented and where you’ll find some of the most beautiful and challenging courses in the world. If you love the game, make your way to the Old Course at St Andrews Links."</p>
- Don't miss London's theatre scene<p> “If there’s one thing you can’t miss when you’re in London, its Theatre land. I love going out with the family to a show. The West End is famous for musicals and shows and they are great for a night out or a family matinee. Young and old will love the Lion King or Matilda, and there’s always something to see when I’m back in London like like War Horse, or Jersey Boys."</p>
Think you know all the Olympic venues? Put your knowledge to the test with our fun quiz...
London Olympics 2012: Guess the venue
- Where will the beach volleyball be held?<p> The Prime Minister will have a prime view of the Beach Volleyball competition, which will take place in a specially created temporary arena, complete with sand. But where is it? </p>
- Horse Guard's Parade<p> Beach Volleyball will take place at Horse Guards Parade, the usual home of the Trooping of the Colour which happens every year on the Queen's official birthday. Wonder if she'll be watching the Volleyball?</p> <p> </p> <div> </div>
- Where will the Marathon swimming and triathlon take place?<p> The London 2012 Triathlon will take place here, as will the Marathon Swimming. It's a park within easy reach of the West End, and it has been open to the public since 1637, but any ideas which park it is?</p>
- Hyde Park<p> The Marathon Swimming and Triathlon events will take place at Hyde Park, the largest of the Royal London parks.</p>
- Where will all the media congregate?<p> Around 20,000 broadcasters, photographers and journalists are expected to be working from here, at the 24-hour media hub from which the Games will be shared with an estimated four billion people worldwide. But where will they all fit?</p>
- International Broadcast Centre<p> The International Broadcast Centre is situated in the north-west of the Olympic Park, which is located to the east of the city, adjacent to the Stratford City development. After the Games, the park will be known as Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, to commemorate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. </p>
- Where can you watch the canoe slalem?<p> Opened in 2011, the venue for the canoe slalem can be found in Hertfordshire, and is the only London 2012 venue which the public can use before the Olympic Games begin. What's it called?</p>
- Lee Valley<p> Lee Valley White Water Centre, on the edge of the 1,000 acre River Lee Country Park, will host the Canoe Slalom competition. Two new canoe slalom course have been built, and a 10,000 square metre lake feeds a system of pumps that provide the 300 metre course with 15 cubic metres of water per second.</p>
- Where will the wheelchair basketball be on?<p> Originally built for the Millennium celebrations, this well-known London landmark will host Artistic Gymnastics, Basketball, Trampoline and, during the Paralympic Games, Wheelchair Basketball. It sits on the point of the Greenwich peninsula, right on the Meridian Line. But what is it?</p>
- The O2<p> The O2 Arena, also known as the North Greenwich Arena or the Millennium Dome, will host a number of events during the London 2012 Olympics, including Wheelchair Basketball during the Paralympics.</p>
- Which venue will be used for the shooting and archery?<p> This distinctive building will be the venue for Shooting, Paralympic Shooting, and Paralympic Archery during the London 2012 Games. It's located on the edge of Woolwich Common in south east London, close to the World Heritage Site of Greenwich Park. But where is it?</p> <p> </p> <p style="margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px; font: 11.0px 'Courier New'; color: #4c4c4c"> </p>
- The Royal Artillery Barracks<p> The Royal Artillery Barracks will host the Shooting, Paralympic Shooting and Paralympic Archery events. Four temporary indoor ranges will be built for Pistol and Rifle Shooting, with outdoor shotgun ranges for Trap and Skeet events. </p> <p> </p> <div> </div>
- Where will the fencing, judo and boxing take place?<p> This well-known exhibition centre - one of Europe's largest - will host a total of 143 sessions in five arenas across a wide range of sports, including boxing, fencing and judo. But what's it called?</p> <p> </p> <div> </div>
- The ExCel<p> The ExCel Exhibition Centre in London's Docklands.</p>
- Where will the swimming competitions take place?<p> This will be the venue for Swimming, Paralympic Swimming, Diving, Synchronised Swimming and the swimming element of the Modern Pentathlon. The building can be found in the south-east corner of the Olympic Park, but what's it called?</p>
- The Aquatics Centre<p> The Aquatics Centre will play host to 192 different events, and boasts a 50m competition pool, a 25m warm-up pool and a 'dry' warm-up area for divers. The Water Polo competition will be held next to it in the temporary Water Polo Arena. After the Games, the Aquatics Centre will be transformed into a facility for both the local community and elite swimmers. </p>
- Which venue is hosting the cycling?<p> This building, in the North of the Olympic Park, will host Track Cycling and Paralympic track Cycling. It's the most sustainable venue in the Olympic Park in terms of design and construction. But what's its name? </p>
- The Velodrome<p> After the Games, a new mountain bike course and road-cycle circuit will be added to create a VeloPark for the local community, sports clubs and elite athletes. There will also be a cafe, bike hire and cycle workshop facilities on site. </p>
- Easy one! Where are all the athletics on?<p> This venue will have a capacity of 80,000 during the Games, and will host the Athletics and Paralympic Athletics events, as well as the Opening and Closing ceremonies. But what is it?</p>
- Athletics and Paralympic Athletics<p> The Olympic stadium. It is located in the south of the Olympic Park, and is the most sustainable stadium ever built.</p>
- Which venue for which games? Bet you don't know them all...
And see our top ten UK 'Olympic' holidays below...
Ten of the best: active UK holidays
- The Archers<p> Where better to try your hand at archery than in the heart of 1066 country? Self catering holiday village, Crowhurst Park in East Sussex has teamed up with an archery company to offer both Field Archery (in which archers move from target to target through wooded terrain, shooting 3D foam prey, including bears, deer and er, giant mosquitoes) and Target Archery (one of the Olympic sports).<br /> <br /> Weekend breaks in a small lodge from £99, <a href="http://www.crowhurstpark.co.uk">www.crowhurstpark.co.uk</a></p>
- Wild water<p> You could try your hand at kayaking the man made rapids at the brand new Lee Valley White Water Centre (where the Olympic kayaking events are being held), but for a chance to paddle alongside porpoises, seals and even whales, head up to the Outer Hebrides for five days kayaking and camping among uninhabited islands and skerries.<br /> <br /> Five day sea kayaking trip costs £725. NB, not for beginners. <a href="//www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/2243/sea-kayaking-holiday-in-scotland">//www.responsibletravel.com/holiday/2243/sea-kayaking-holiday-in-scotland</a>.</p>
- Tour de Wales<p> While the Olympic cyclists whizz round and round the London velodrome, enjoy a rather more scenic view from your saddle on a Welsh biking holiday. The seven day 'Snowdonia Beano', cycling around Snowdonia National Park and the Lleyn Peninsula in July costs from £640 per person, which includes accommodation and yummy vegetarian meals. For more details on this and other cycling holidays, visit <a href="http://www.bicycle-beano.co.uk">www.bicycle-beano.co.uk</a>.</p>
- Row your boat<p> Stage your own mini Olympics at Siblyback Lake Campsite, on the edge of Bodmin Moor in Cornwall, which offers three Olympic watersports - kayaking, sailing and canoeing. Instructors are on hand to help train your junior athletes - perhaps for the 2020 Games?<br /> <br /> Pitches from £11 per night. <a href="http://www.pitchup.com">www.pitchup.com</a></p>
- Ticket to ride<p> Make like a minor royal and buff up your riding skills at Lucknam Park's outstanding equestrian centre, which includes 500 acres of parkland, an all weather arena, cross country course and riding clinics with equestrian experts Stephen Hadley and Richard Waygood. Non-riders can make the most of the hotel's Michelin-starred food and lush spa.<br /> <br /> Rooms from £330 per night. <a href="http://www.Lucknampark.com">www.lucknampark.com</a></p>
- On your marks...<p> Spend a day clay pigeon shooting in scenic fields, gullies and among the trees with local farmer Jonty and his sons on a farm on the outskirts of the Lake District. Then retire to the cozy Plough Inn opposite for a soak in the freestanding bath, followed by local ale and lamb for dinner. Clay pigeon shooting available on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from £135 per room per night (beginners package from £150), <a href="http://www.theploughatlupton.co.uk ">www.theploughatlupton.co.uk </a></p>
- Anyone for tennis?<p> What with Wimbledon and the Olympics, its easy to get carried away by Pimms-fuelled fantasies about tennis whites and volleying. Indulge the dream at the Four Seasons' grand Georgian pile in Hampshire, which has two outdoor, all-weather, floodlit tennis courts and tennis pros on hand to polish up your backhand. Doubles from £258, <a href="http://www.four seasons.com/Hampshire">www.four seasons.com/Hampshire</a></p>
- Beach volleyball for beginners<p> Find out for yourself why beach volleyball is the most popular Olympic spectator sport (nothing to do with the barely there bikinis the ladies play in, obv) on Brighton's answer to Copacabana, Yellowave Beach Sports Venue. (<a href="http://www.yellowave.co.uk">www.yellowave.co.uk</a>). After a hard day on the beach, retire to the supremely classy surroundings of the Kemp Townhouse boutique b&b. Doubles from £95, <a href="http://www.kemptownhousebrighton.com">www.kemptownhousebrighton.com</a></p>
- Dive in<p> Crawling up and down an Olympic size swimming pool's all very well, but there's nothing like swimming in the wild to make you feel truly alive. Based at the snazzy Scarlet hotel, guests can enjoy a wild swimming tour of Cornwall's water, with professional instructors equipped with towels, rescue boards - and hot toddies! A 2-night package costs from £515 per person, including a private Wild Sea Swimming Lesson, with instructor and all equipment (including heated wetsuits!) and a ‘Short Journey’ in the Ayurvedic Spa. <a href="http://www.scarlethotel.co.uk">www.scarlethotel.co.uk</a></p>
- Scilly sailing<p> Learn to tell a flying jib from a gaff topsail on board the beautiful traditional wooden pilot cutter, Eve of St Mawes. A 6 day hands-on, island hopping voyage in the Isles of Scilly, departing from St Mawes, Cornwall, costs £720 per person. For details of this and other voyages, visit <a href="http://www.classic-sailing.co.uk">www.classic-sailing.co.uk</a>.</p>
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