Escaping World Cup fever!

Londoners may look forward to their weekends in the summer as a chance to escape from the office and enjoy some more of what the city has to offer, but recently they may have noticed a kind of madness taking over the streets.

This craze, for the tiny minority of people who may not know, is the World Cup, which kicks off in South Africa this week.

Across the country, and indeed the world, people, such as those with finance jobs in London, will be eagerly planning how they will follow the tournament, with those who have been unable to get tickets able to enjoy the games at home, in the pub or even on a wide-screen set up in certain cities, which could be the perfect way to celebrate with other like-minded fans.

However, as Britons eagerly hang out their England flags and cancel any plans that do not happen within the vicinity of a television set, some individuals may already be starting to suffer from acute "World Cup Ambivalence", a condition Skyscanner claims is hitting those feeling generally underwhelmed by the football madness.

But rather than playing along and pretending to take an interest in a group of men kicking a spherical piece of leather into a net, workers could instead take advantage of what is likely to be a queue-free month in London.

For example, on June 12th, Britons could see a slightly more regal representation of national pride at the Trooping the Colour at Whitehall, which will see the Massed Bands and Troops of the Foot Guards and Household Cavalry taking over the Horse Guards in honour of the Queen's birthday.

What's On When calls the parade a "quintessentially English experience of pomp and ceremony".

Meanwhile, sports fans can broaden their horizons and make the most of the sunshine by enjoying a game at Wimbledon, which gets started on June 21st.

Indeed, with the World Cup keeping many away, this could be the perfect opportunity to enjoy a match - and of course the traditional strawberries and cream - without having to battle the crowds.

And as the football tournament really hits fever pitch towards the middle of the month, people could give their taste buds a welcome break from takeaways in front of the television and pay a visit to the Taste of London festival, which is being held at Regent's Park from June 17th to 20th.

Top restaurants from across the capital will be represented at the event, while in addition to sampling some new dishes, visitors will also be offered cooking tips to try at home.

However, it is not only people working in London who may find that they are suffering from World Cup Ambivalence, but also those situated overseas.

But once again, there is plenty on offer if Britons wish to escape the madness.

Indeed, what could be further removed than the Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival, which will see crowds cheering for, not a group of sweaty guys kicking a ball, but a host of brightly painted and ornately carved boats as they head down the Shing Mun River on June 16th.

And at the beginning of July, Britons can pick up the latest style tips at Hong Kong's Spring/Summer Fashion Week.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Street Festival is sure to keep visitors entertained until June 20th, while Beerfest Asia - which finishes on the same date - held on the Formula 1 course of Marina Promenade, could be the perfect way to enjoy one of the key elements of a World Cup match, without actually having to see any football.

So while David Cameron announces that Downing Street will be flying the English Flag throughout the tournament, now could be the perfect time to start filling in the gaps of a footie-free diary.

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