With the start of the Olympic Games just a baton reach away, KEN BENNETT offers his quirky choice of enjoying your very own Olympic' holidays as a happy alternative to the real thing.

ATHENS is set to become the world's busiest and noisiest city in August with hotels, restaurants and excursions swamped at the onset of the Olympic Games.

In fact, holiday analysts are advising tourists to steer well clear of Greece as sports supporters crowd in catch a glimpse of the Games.

So, with the help of travelsupermarket.com, the online holiday price specialist, I have come up with some ideas that allow you a choice of good cheap Olympic' breaks as an alternative perfect Summer destination.

For example, why not try The Drinking Olympics in Dublin? This gloriously, rumbustious city is famous for it's tar black pints of Guinness. You could take a tasty pint in one of the city's famous old man's ' bars or in the more upmarket plush metropolitan lounges.

My choice would definitely be a pint at the Brazen Head, one of the city's finest taverns on the banks of the River Liffey. It's a hot spot for downtoearth Irish fun and merriment with a chance to rub shoulders with the city's chatteratti too.

If you can't take the pace, you could always visit some great cultural sites including St. Patrick's Cathedral or the internationally famous Dublin Castle.

Don't forget to pick up some stylish presents for those left at home from the glittering shops on Grafton Street.

MyTravel Lite are offering return flights from Birmingham on a sample departure date of August 17th from £29, including taxes. Or you could pay £38 return, including taxes on a flight with Aer Lingus from London Stansted departing August 19th.

Or The Cultural Olympics: Venice.

Adored for art, museums, spectacular verandas and settings for Shakespearean plays, this is a city that really does have it all for culture vultures.

Take in the Piazza San Marco, the Basilica, Bell Tower and the Bridge of Sighs.

And although the carnival season is over, culture oozes out of every building and waterway all year round with wonderful collections of works by Venetian and Renaissance painters too.

Direct return flights from London Gatwick departing on August 17th with Alitalia cost from £84.

Maybe your style is more The Sun Bathing Olympics: Majorca. Singe and simmer in a pretty little sandy cove at Portals Vells with its clear, shallow water and a perfect hideaway for sunseekers.

Then head for the nearby town of Pollensa in the North East of the island. It's been the inplace since the turn of the last century as a relaxed destination for painters. It's just the spot to show off your newly acquired tan!

The island hosts a variety of musical events check them out at one of the local tourist board offices.

Lastminute.com have return flights from London Gatwick, including taxes, from £98 a head on August 13th. And easyJet has a return flight on August 17th from Liverpool for £96 each.

The Shopping Olympics: Paris could have what you are looking for.

Perfumes, clothes, jewellery In fact, anything that smacks of design is on sale here.

And even nonfashionistas will enjoy the city for its marvellous cultural sights too. Take a stroll around the Arc de Triomphe or the Champs Elysees and don't forget a mobile call home to make them envious!

I'd certainly visit the Eiffel Tower but give yourself plenty of time as the queues are really long. The view from the top is well worth the wait.

BMI Baby has direct return flights from Manchester on August 20th priced from £84. And easyJet has a return flight deal from Liverpool on August 26th from £140 per person.

If the way to your heart is through your stomach, what about The Eating Olympics: Rome. Should you really miss a break to Athens, then I promise Rome has very similar features. And, as a city, the big plus points is its great food and feeling for romance.

Visit Trastevere for all the eats you could possibly digest: perfect pasta and pizza, stunning seafood and marvellous meats a mammamia of a destination.

Don't forget to put a coin or two in the famous Trevi Fountain. Legend says that if you toss a coin over your shoulder with your back to the fountain you'll definitely return again.

ThomsonFly have direct return flights to Rome from Coventry from £183, including taxes on a sample departure date of August 17th. Or you could fly from London Stanted with easyJet on August 16th from £153.