:00:00. > :00:14.They will come up and do backflips belly-to-belly with you guys. It is
:00:15. > :00:16.not uncommon to have them over your head and then have a big mouth
:00:17. > :00:46.coming back at your face. Hello and welcome to the Travel
:00:47. > :00:52.Show. Coming to you this week from Hawaii, where later in the programme
:00:53. > :00:58.I will be taking a dive after dark, in search of the famous friendly
:00:59. > :01:03.manta rays that have been wowing diversity for years. We meet some of
:01:04. > :01:10.the early in's newest tour guides, drawn from the recent influx of
:01:11. > :01:17.refugees. Hello, I just want to see welcome. I come from Sudan and my
:01:18. > :01:23.name is Samuel. We are in Taiwan, meeting one man with some serious
:01:24. > :01:27.puppetry skills. And Michelle is back with some inspiration, her
:01:28. > :01:39.round-up of world events taking in funky Denmark and a proper test of
:01:40. > :01:44.endurance in the Highlands. But first, this week we are off to
:01:45. > :01:51.Germany, which throughout history has attracted wave after wave of
:01:52. > :01:57.migrants. And now the latest group of arrivals, refugees, are settling
:01:58. > :02:06.their hand telling their story to tourists -- there and.
:02:07. > :02:10.A crisp, icy winters day in Berlin, but not enough to deter sightseers
:02:11. > :02:15.from all around the world from seeking out the kind of art,
:02:16. > :02:24.history, and a dash of kitsch, that only Germany's capital can provide.
:02:25. > :02:32.Chris Kirk has always been one of the early in's edgier districts,
:02:33. > :02:42.buzzing with artists, activists, and various characters -- Kreutzberg.
:02:43. > :02:48.Now this district is the home to refugee voices, the Solidarity tour
:02:49. > :02:50.that gives an insight into the experiences of Ferling's growing
:02:51. > :02:58.asylum seeker and refugee population. -- Berlin. A million
:02:59. > :03:04.people migrated into Germany from war zones and troubled areas last
:03:05. > :03:11.year. Many abandoned crowded camps to head for Berlin. Why did we come
:03:12. > :03:17.here? Because here is Kreutzberg, where people have Solidarity with
:03:18. > :03:26.refugees. Samual is 30 and came here after 2012 after being forced to
:03:27. > :03:34.flee university at home after being accused of protesting against the
:03:35. > :03:43.leader. This square was from October 2012 to June 2014 occupied as a
:03:44. > :03:47.makeshift refugee camp. Over he was where you have the information
:03:48. > :03:52.quarter, where you could find out why people were here... This British
:03:53. > :03:54.tour guide was just 100 yards from here during the occupation, and
:03:55. > :04:00.return from holiday to find it transformed. She was intrigued and
:04:01. > :04:05.had a brainwave. During the summer, because everything was in the media
:04:06. > :04:11.about the refugee crisis a lot of tourists were asking me about the
:04:12. > :04:15.situation on my tours, and I was explaining the situation and people
:04:16. > :04:19.were very shocked. I thought, this would be a really good walking tour.
:04:20. > :04:26.The refugees are the ones telling the story, and it is their story to
:04:27. > :04:31.tell. Lorna held workshops for potential guides. The first tours
:04:32. > :04:35.were listed on a Facebook page and immediately attracted interest. The
:04:36. > :04:42.guides are not paid for legal reasons, but donations are welcome.
:04:43. > :04:46.The tours don't always proceed smoothly. Of course there is a
:04:47. > :04:50.negative reaction from some people, and that is largely because it has
:04:51. > :04:55.been in the media so much over the last year, more people are aware of
:04:56. > :04:58.it and people are afraid. They are afraid of people coming here from
:04:59. > :05:02.different cultures and religious backgrounds, people are afraid of
:05:03. > :05:06.terrorism. That is one reason why we do these tours, because we want to
:05:07. > :05:16.change people's attitudes and this is the best way of doing it, by
:05:17. > :05:19.giving people a voice. I am so happy for people to come and listen to us
:05:20. > :05:26.explain our problems and let people know about the refugee situation in
:05:27. > :05:30.Germany. In a nearby office space, cooking group that started the
:05:31. > :05:38.square outside, has become a fully fledged international supper club.
:05:39. > :05:43.Locals and indeed Germans generally are in the minority here. Family
:05:44. > :05:54.people do you think you will cook for? 40, 40 people, wow. Today it is
:05:55. > :06:00.Syrian refugees serving up some native fare. We just like to share
:06:01. > :06:06.and make Syrian food and other kind of food, and people start talking
:06:07. > :06:11.about the food, about life here, and maybe some local people see it is
:06:12. > :06:18.like the community. One world without any borders. It has not been
:06:19. > :06:24.an easy transition for many, and matters haven't been helped by
:06:25. > :06:28.reports of sexual harassment allegedly carried out by groups of
:06:29. > :06:34.migrants in Cologne recently. Some of the refugees here feel
:06:35. > :06:39.uncomfortable. This man studied in Aleppo, in Syria, but had to do two
:06:40. > :06:43.years of military service for a regime he couldn't condone. When
:06:44. > :06:56.civil war broke out he defect didn't came via Europe to Germany. Anyone
:06:57. > :07:05.who takes this Germany, has Syrian there are no other choices. For us.
:07:06. > :07:08.Acclimatising to a new home has taken its toll as well. Regular
:07:09. > :07:17.events like these help that transition. The plan now is to take
:07:18. > :07:21.the whole concept to Paris and then London. It is not particularly
:07:22. > :07:24.cultural in a traditional sense, but this is more of a traditional sense,
:07:25. > :07:32.but this is more of an authentic experience of Berlin would ever get.
:07:33. > :07:39.-- than most visitors would ever get.
:07:40. > :07:43.Next, our regular catch up with people who make travel teak. This
:07:44. > :10:33.week, the puppetmaster of Taiwan. Time now for your travel update.
:10:34. > :10:37.Brazil's Carnival season got under way last week with very little sign
:10:38. > :10:41.that the spread of the Zika virus was keeping people off the streets.
:10:42. > :10:48.It is carried by mosquitoes and has been linked to a surge in brain
:10:49. > :10:53.malformations in newborn babies. In one town, performers and soldiers
:10:54. > :10:56.took the opportunities to hand out warning leaflets to people. Five
:10:57. > :11:03.people have died in a large avalanche that buried 17 in an
:11:04. > :11:07.Austrian skiing destination. It was one of 19 reported in that region on
:11:08. > :11:13.the date and was said to be around two kilometres wide and five metres
:11:14. > :11:20.high. This season has been hit with several deadly avalanches, with two
:11:21. > :11:24.in the French Alps. It looks like Central Park will keep its
:11:25. > :11:28.traditional horse-drawn carriages for now. A plan to restrict the
:11:29. > :11:34.numbers has fallen through. Some people had argued that the practice
:11:35. > :11:39.was Krul, partly because horses had to take tourists on crowded streets.
:11:40. > :11:44.And the ice festivals in Japan and China at this time of year usually
:11:45. > :11:48.do a roaring trade. But what about this one that has opened in New
:11:49. > :11:51.Hampshire? It has taken nearly a quarter of a million articles to
:11:52. > :11:59.make his castle, with slides, mazes and canyons. Be quick, because once
:12:00. > :12:04.dry season ends you might find the going a bit soggy. Stay tuned,
:12:05. > :12:08.because coming up on the Travel Show, Michelle is back with some of
:12:09. > :12:12.the best events on the travel calendar. This week taking in
:12:13. > :12:18.Western Australia, the Scottish Highlands, and the Caribbean. And
:12:19. > :12:21.back in Hawaii, I am trying to get up close and personal with one of
:12:22. > :12:31.the Pacific Ocean's most sociable residents.
:12:32. > :12:46.The Travel Show, your essential guide wherever you are heading.
:12:47. > :12:54.I am Michelle, your global guide with top tips on the world's best
:12:55. > :12:57.events in the coming month. Head, playing time in Australia, throwing
:12:58. > :13:07.a birthday party in Zurich, into racing against the clock in the
:13:08. > :13:12.Falkland Islands. But first, in the UK, the festival kicks off in the
:13:13. > :13:17.Scottish Highlands. It takes place on the same weekend as the Scottish
:13:18. > :13:21.freestyle tenpin chips, so expect top riders as well as top artists.
:13:22. > :13:26.After the competitions, there will be skiing with live music and DJs in
:13:27. > :13:35.a big top, headliners including Grandmaster Flash, and more. Half a
:13:36. > :13:40.world away, the Standard Chartered Stilley marathon takes place on
:13:41. > :13:43.March 20 on the Falkland Islands, one of the most suddenly
:13:44. > :13:48.long-distance races. This is no walk in the park. Conditions are often
:13:49. > :13:52.very tough. Steep gradients, high winds and bad weather can hamper
:13:53. > :13:57.progress during this race, known as one of the toughest marathons
:13:58. > :14:05.around. But it might be called a here at the Denmark frost festival
:14:06. > :14:12.until fabric 26. Copenhagen will be hosting events across the city. They
:14:13. > :14:14.are always the most unexpected of venues from antispam tools to
:14:15. > :14:19.abandoned aquariums to the rather chilly botanical Gardens. This year
:14:20. > :14:25.there will be a three day residency at Hotel history where a band will
:14:26. > :14:34.be performing new material. There will be a choir, and the Stargaze
:14:35. > :14:39.Ensemble. If you are in Zurich this year, will be a big effort either
:14:40. > :14:45.is, celebrating 100 years since the art movement was founded. The
:14:46. > :14:49.cabaret is staging 106 D5 soirees, each honouring a particular Dada
:14:50. > :14:56.artist. Across the Swiss city there will be events, performances and the
:14:57. > :15:02.art festival which takes part in the floating pavilion of reflections on
:15:03. > :15:07.lakes Eric. -- Zurich. In the UK, the British capital is hosting the
:15:08. > :15:13.head of the River race, which starts on March 19. Over 400 crews take
:15:14. > :15:19.part in the 4.25 mile race on the Thames in London which ends in
:15:20. > :15:22.Putney running on a tide. The race is processional with crews starting
:15:23. > :15:29.one behind the other at ten second intervals. The winner is the fastest
:15:30. > :15:36.time. The number to beat is just over 16.5 minutes, the race record
:15:37. > :15:42.to date. Perth International arts Festival runs until March six, with
:15:43. > :15:48.1000 can Terry artists in action from theatre to music to film and
:15:49. > :15:51.literature. Performing at venues and outdoor spaces across the Western
:15:52. > :16:03.Australian capital, the hottest tickets this year include
:16:04. > :16:11.phantasmagorical opera, and the jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra paying,
:16:12. > :16:14.is to swing. Finally, in the Dominican Republic from a ferry
:16:15. > :16:21.23rd, the master of the ocean begins on the North Shore. For five days,
:16:22. > :16:25.athletes will be competing in kite surfing, surfing, windsurfing and
:16:26. > :16:29.stand-up paddle boarding. The winner has to show mastery in all four
:16:30. > :16:34.disciplines, and for those spectating, there will also be a
:16:35. > :16:38.full musical agenda. That is my global guide this month. Let me know
:16:39. > :16:52.what is happening in the Place regulators, or where you live. --
:16:53. > :16:55.place where you love. Back in Hawaii, we're on the big Island, the
:16:56. > :17:00.largest island on the Hawaiian archipelago. It is to rain is
:17:01. > :17:04.diverse, from beaches to active for Kay and lush rainforests. But it is
:17:05. > :17:10.the underwater life I am here to see.
:17:11. > :17:21.It is widely known that the Kona Coast is the best place in these
:17:22. > :17:25.parts to spot a Manta Ray. So I am jumping on board one of the hugely
:17:26. > :17:30.popular nighttime boat tours to try to come face-to-face with one of
:17:31. > :17:36.these amazing secret is. -- sea creatures. We leave the harbour just
:17:37. > :17:40.before sunset and head to the dive site. As far as diving, this is the
:17:41. > :17:42.number one place. The Kona Manta rays are hugely
:17:43. > :17:48.popular because they are the most accessible population
:17:49. > :17:50.of Manta rays in the world. It is not uncommon
:17:51. > :17:56.for them to go over your head. They are all behind me and then you
:17:57. > :18:00.get this big mouth in your face. According to the experts,
:18:01. > :18:02.you have a roughly 80-90% chance They have no teeth, barbs,
:18:03. > :18:05.or stingers. They are essentially
:18:06. > :18:07.harmless to you. But they are very large, which can
:18:08. > :18:10.be intimidating for some people. I never heard anybody
:18:11. > :18:13.say, "That was horrible". Everybody says, "That was
:18:14. > :18:15.the best thing I've done on my vacation," or "I came to
:18:16. > :18:19.Kona just to see the Manta rays Legislation is currently being
:18:20. > :18:25.drafted to try to put a cap on the number of drivers
:18:26. > :18:29.and snorkellers in the water. Tour operators say as many
:18:30. > :18:32.as 300-400 people are diving at night to see the Mantas, and
:18:33. > :18:39.not everyone abides by the rules. For instance,
:18:40. > :18:41.touching the Manta rays can remove the slime coating from their bodies,
:18:42. > :18:46.which protect them from infection. Some boats linger at the dive site
:18:47. > :18:50.with motors and propellers running. While others use light under
:18:51. > :18:55.the hull of the boat. But the Manta rays are attracted to
:18:56. > :18:58.the light and could get caught I've been doing this over a decade,
:18:59. > :19:04.and seeing the same Mantas over and over again, we are able to document
:19:05. > :19:09.things about their lifestyle and document how and what they are
:19:10. > :19:11.injured from. Over half of the injuries came
:19:12. > :19:21.from the tourism industry. We were able to say, "Hey, guys,
:19:22. > :19:24.we need to change something here On the night of our tour, around 20
:19:25. > :19:33.boats are crowded around the blue But
:19:34. > :19:43.our operator is accredited and says it actively avoids any
:19:44. > :19:46.damage to the rays and even I've never done a night dive before,
:19:47. > :19:51.so I'm kind of nervous, I was unprepared
:19:52. > :20:16.for the darkness underwater. I could only see as far
:20:17. > :20:21.as my hand torch could reach. On the rocky ocean floor,
:20:22. > :20:49.it was surreal yet serene. And despite claims this area is
:20:50. > :20:58.teeming with race, I did not spot a single one. -- Manta rays. Perhaps
:20:59. > :21:02.it is a symptom of the overcrowding and current bad practices at these
:21:03. > :21:11.dive sites, or maybe it was just our bad luck. I'm really disappointed we
:21:12. > :21:15.did not see any Mantas, but that is nature, I guess. It is sporadic, it
:21:16. > :21:21.emits. Sometimes you might see them, sometimes you might not -- hit and
:21:22. > :21:24.miss. New rules to limit the impact of visiting divers are being drawn
:21:25. > :21:29.up by the state authorities here. There is talk of a payment system
:21:30. > :21:33.and a requirement for boats to operate in shifts. Measures like
:21:34. > :21:38.those, it is hoped, will make an encounter more likely, event damage
:21:39. > :21:44.to the Manta rays, entered sure they are still here when I come back to
:21:45. > :21:49.try again -- limit damage. That is all we have time for this week. Next
:21:50. > :21:56.week: We are on the backwaters and up the trees of one of India's most
:21:57. > :22:01.picturesque states. Henry visits to find out why it your houseboat
:22:02. > :22:07.holiday might not be as green as you think. A lot of houseboats leave at
:22:08. > :22:12.about the same time, so these small river ways get packed and act
:22:13. > :22:17.flexible highways. And he puts his climbing skills to the test against
:22:18. > :22:23.the brightest and best. I am making my way up there. A few more minutes.
:22:24. > :22:27.Bear with me. Don't forget, you can follow us in real-time on our social
:22:28. > :22:33.media feeds. The details should be on your screen now. Until next time,
:22:34. > :22:55.for me and the rest of The Travel Show team, goodbye.
:22:56. > :22:59.We've got quite a mixture of weather heading towards the weekend.
:23:00. > :23:01.An area of low pressure will be affecting
:23:02. > :23:05.It comes streaming in from the south-west off the Atlantic.
:23:06. > :23:09.Northern areas tending to stay dry but we will have a cold