The Olympic Games are a big deal! Every four years, people from all over the world watch athletes compete in exciting sports like running, swimming, and gymnastics. But did you know the Olympics can also be a great time for a vacation? Olympic holidays involve traveling to the host city of the Olympic Games to experience the competitions firsthand, discover local attractions, and enjoy a memorable vacation. In this guide, we’ll talk about everything you need to know to plan amazing Olympic holidays. From picking the right city to finding fun things to do, this article is your go-to for a perfect trip!
What Are Olympic Holidays?
Olympic holidays are vacations planned around the Olympic Games. These trips let you watch the world’s best athletes while enjoying the culture, food, and sights of the host city. For example, the 2024 Summer Olympics were in Paris, France, and the 2028 Olympics will be in Los Angeles, USA. People travel from far away to cheer for their favorite teams and explore the city. Olympic holidays are special because they mix sports excitement with travel adventures. Whether you’re a kid or an adult, these trips are full of fun!
Why Choose Olympic Holidays?
Why are Olympic holidays so popular? First, you get to see incredible sports in person. Imagine watching a gold-medal race or a thrilling basketball game live! Second, you can visit a new city and learn about its history, food, and people. For example, during the 2024 Olympic holidays in Paris, visitors saw the Eiffel Tower and ate yummy croissants. Third, Olympic holidays bring people together. You meet fans from different countries, making new friends. It’s a chance to celebrate sports and culture in one big trip!
Planning Your Olympic Holidays
Planning Olympic holidays takes some work, but it’s worth it. Here are the steps to make your trip awesome:
Pick the Right Olympic Games
The Olympics happen every two years, switching between Summer and Winter Games. Summer Olympics have sports like swimming and track, while Winter Olympics include skiing and ice skating. Choose the one you like best! The 2026 Winter Olympics will be in Milan-Cortina, Italy, and the 2028 Summer Olympics will be in Los Angeles. Think about which sports you want to see and which city sounds fun for your Olympic holidays.
Get Tickets Early
Tickets for Olympic events sell out fast. To get the best seats for your Olympic holidays, buy tickets as soon as they go on sale. Check the official Olympic website for ticket information. For example, the Paris 2024 website sold tickets a year in advance. Prices can be high for popular events like the opening ceremony, so plan your budget. Kids might like events like gymnastics or diving, which are colorful and exciting.
Book Your Travel
Traveling for Olympic holidays means booking flights and a place to stay. Cities hosting the Olympics get busy, so book early! Use websites like Expedia or Kayak to find cheap flights. For the 2028 Olympic holidays in Los Angeles, you might fly into LAX airport. Look for hotels or rentals like Airbnb near the event venues to save time. If you’re traveling with family, pick places with kid-friendly amenities like pools or game rooms.
Plan Your Budget
Olympic holidays can cost a lot, but you can save money with smart planning. Set a budget for tickets, travel, food, and souvenirs. For example, eating at local markets instead of fancy restaurants can save cash. Look for deals on travel websites or ask about group discounts for families. Kids can help by picking one or two special souvenirs, like an Olympic t-shirt, instead of buying everything.
Where to Go for Olympic Holidays
Each Olympic Games happens in a different city, and each city offers unique things to do. Let’s look at some past and future Olympic holiday destinations:
Paris 2024 Olympic Holidays
In 2024, Paris hosted the Summer Olympics, and it was a blast! Visitors on Olympic holidays enjoyed watching events at cool venues like the Stade de France. They also visited famous spots like the Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral. Paris is known for its pretty streets, tasty food, and fun cafes. Families loved boat rides on the Seine River and eating ice cream by the Eiffel Tower.
Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Holidays
The 2026 Winter Olympics will be in Milan and Cortina, Italy. These Olympic holidays will be snowy and exciting! Milan is a big city with fashion and history, like the beautiful Duomo cathedral. Cortina is a mountain town perfect for skiing and hot chocolate. Kids will love the snow and watching ice hockey or figure skating. Bundle up for these chilly Olympic holidays!
Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Holidays
Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics, and it’s a great spot for Olympic holidays. LA has sunny beaches, Hollywood, and fun theme parks like Disneyland. Events will be at places like the LA Coliseum, where past Olympics happened. Visitors can explore the Walk of Fame or eat tacos at local food trucks. These Olympic holidays will be warm and full of California vibes!
Fun Things to Do on Olympic Holidays
Olympic holidays aren’t just about watching sports. Here are some fun activities to make your trip unforgettable:
Watch Olympic Events
The main reason for Olympic holidays is to see the Games! Pick events your family loves, like swimming, soccer, or skateboarding. Many venues offer kid-friendly areas with games and activities. For example, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic holidays, some venues had play zones for kids. Check the schedule on the official Olympic website to plan your days.
Explore the Host City
Every Olympic city has cool things to see. In Paris, people on Olympic holidays visited the Arc de Triomphe. In LA, you can see the Hollywood Sign or surf at Venice Beach. Take a city tour or rent bikes to explore. Kids can learn about new cultures by trying local foods or visiting museums. Create a checklist of essential places to visit ahead of your trip!
Join Olympic Festivals
During Olympic holidays, host cities throw big parties! These festivals have music, food, and games for everyone. For example, London’s 2012 Olympic holidays had free concerts in Hyde Park. Look for family-friendly events like face painting or sports demos. These festivals make Olympic holidays extra fun and help kids feel the Olympic spirit.
Try Local Food
Food is a big part of Olympic holidays. Each city has yummy dishes to try. In Paris, you could eat crepes or baguettes. In Milan, pizza and gelato are a must! In LA, try burgers or fresh fruit smoothies. Eating local food is a fun way to learn about the city. Kids can pick their favorite snacks to make it exciting.
Tips for Family-Friendly Olympic Holidays
Taking kids on Olympic holidays? Here are tips to keep everyone happy:
Choose Kid-Friendly Events
Some Olympic events are perfect for kids. Gymnastics, diving, and BMX biking are fast and colorful, so kids stay interested. Avoid long events like marathons if kids might get bored. Check the Olympic schedule for family packages or shorter events during your Olympic holidays.
Stay Safe and Comfortable
Big crowds at Olympic holidays can be overwhelming. Hold kids’ hands in busy areas and bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. For the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic holidays, pack warm clothes for cold weather. Always have a meeting point in case someone gets lost. Safety makes Olympic holidays stress-free!
Plan Rest Time
Olympic holidays are exciting but tiring. Plan breaks for kids to rest, like relaxing in a park or at your hotel. For example, during the 2024 Paris Olympic holidays, families took naps at their hotels between events. A rested family enjoys the trip more!
How to Save Money on Olympic Holidays
Olympic holidays can be pricey, but you can save with these ideas:
Look for Deals
Search for travel deals on sites like Travelocity or Booking.com. Some airlines offer discounts for Olympic holidays if you book early. For the 2028 LA Olympic holidays, check for hotel packages that include event tickets. Saving money means more fun for everyone!
Use Public Transport
Olympic cities get crowded, so driving can be hard. Travel around the city by taking advantage of buses, trains, or subway systems. In Paris 2024, the Metro was a cheap way to reach Olympic venues. Public transport is easy and saves money on your Olympic holidays.
Pack Smart
Bring reusable water bottles, snacks, and small games to keep kids happy. This saves money on buying things at venues. For winter Olympic holidays in 2026, pack warm hats and gloves to avoid buying them there. Smart packing makes Olympic holidays affordable.
Why Olympic Holidays Are Great for Kids
Kids love Olympic holidays because they’re full of action and learning. Watching athletes inspires them to try new sports, like running or swimming. Visiting new cities teaches them about different cultures. For example, kids on Tokyo 2020 Olympic holidays learned about Japanese art and food. Plus, the energy of the Olympics makes every day exciting!
Staying Safe on Olympic Holidays
Safety is super important on Olympic holidays. Here are ways to stay safe:
- Check Travel Rules: Before your Olympic holidays, check visa or health rules for the host country. For example, Italy may require certain vaccines for 2026 visitors.
- Avoid Scams: Buy tickets only from official Olympic websites to avoid fake sellers. Scams can ruin Olympic holidays.
- Stay Healthy: Wash hands often and bring hand sanitizer to stay germ-free in crowds. During Paris 2024 Olympic holidays, masks were helpful in busy areas.
How Olympic Holidays Help the Host City
Olympic holidays bring lots of visitors, which helps the host city. Hotels, restaurants, and shops make more money. For example, during the 2016 Rio Olympic holidays, local businesses boomed. Cities also build new sports venues and improve roads, making the place better for everyone. Your Olympic holidays support the city’s growth!
Fun Facts About Olympic Holidays
Here are some cool facts to share on your Olympic holidays:
- The Olympic Games originated in Greece more than two millennia ago.
- The 2024 Paris Olympics used the Eiffel Tower as a backdrop for some events.
- Los Angeles hosted the Olympics before, in 1932 and 1984, making 2028 its third time!
- Winter Olympic holidays often have snow sculptures, like in the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
Packing for Your Olympic Holidays
Packing right makes Olympic holidays better. Bring comfy shoes for walking, a camera for photos, and clothes for the weather. For summer Olympic holidays, pack light clothes and hats. For winter ones, bring coats and scarves. Don’t forget chargers and travel adapters for your phone!
Learning From Olympic Holidays
Olympic holidays teach you a lot. You learn about sports, teamwork, and different countries. Kids can write a journal about their trip or draw pictures of what they see. For example, during the 2022 Beijing Olympic holidays, kids learned about Chinese culture. These lessons make Olympic holidays special.
Making Memories on Olympic Holidays
Olympic holidays create memories you’ll never forget. Take photos with athletes, collect Olympic pins, or make a scrapbook. Share your stories with friends or on social media with hashtags like #OlympicHolidays. Your family will talk about these moments for years!
