With the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games set to take Stratford by storm this summer, East London has cemented itself as a ‘must visit’ destination for tourists – many of whom will be taking mini breaks to the capital. With such a huge offering, it can be a cloudy wilderness of possibilities for those strapped for time. So we’ve put together the top five must do’s to ensure you don’t spend your valuable holiday crowd-shuffling behind die-hard sports fans:

If the thought of another traditional turkey dinner makes you feel deflated, you need a little inspiration to help spice up your Christmas meal. There are loads more options out there if mince pies and prawn cocktail leave you jaded, so why not try looking further afield for menu ideas? Christmas is celebrated in hundreds of ways worldwide so you have plenty more to choose from than you might think. Pick something exotic from our buffet of international cuisine and start your own tradition this year.