0:00:00 > 0:00:06Now on BBC News, the Travel Show.
0:00:35 > 0:00:39Wow!
0:00:45 > 0:00:48That's just a taste of what's coming up in the next half-hour,
0:00:48 > 0:00:52as we take a look back at some of the best bits on what has been
0:00:52 > 0:00:53a truly memorable year.
0:00:53 > 0:00:56It's taken us to all four corners of the world,
0:00:56 > 0:01:01we've met some amazing people with some fantastic stories.
0:01:01 > 0:01:07But first, let's kick off with these ones.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11In a moment we've got me fishing for my lunch here in Finnish Lapland
0:01:11 > 0:01:14and then Rajan gets to be the first member of the public to take
0:01:14 > 0:01:20a ride on Europe's tallest and fastest rollercoaster.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23But first, back in January, Henry travelled to Turkey to explore
0:01:23 > 0:01:29a massive underground city recently found that is slowly revealing
0:01:29 > 0:01:34some fascinating stories about the country's history.
0:01:34 > 0:01:37Wow, look at all of this.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40I find it hard to believe that people were living on top
0:01:40 > 0:01:43of here and all of this was actually hidden, so they had no
0:01:43 > 0:01:45idea this was here.
0:01:45 > 0:01:49That is insane!
0:01:49 > 0:01:53Wow, that ceiling is unique.
0:01:53 > 0:01:56What's all this?
0:01:56 > 0:01:58This is a monastry and, according to the scientists,
0:01:58 > 0:02:04the monastery dates back to the sixth century A.D.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07The winding tunnels and hidden openings offered protection
0:02:07 > 0:02:17from attacking armies.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Wow!
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Look at that!
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I've actually heard of this spot, because all of the archaeologists
0:02:23 > 0:02:26were very excited about this.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29This is a church, an underground cave church, dating back
0:02:29 > 0:02:37to the 12th century.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40Going forward there are plans to turn sections of the cave network
0:02:40 > 0:02:46into an archaeological park with art galleries and boutique hotels.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50Authorities hope to open it to the public in 2018 when visitors
0:02:50 > 0:02:56can see the excavations in their full glory.
0:03:04 > 0:03:11It's -13 degrees Celsius today and guess what I've got lined up?
0:03:11 > 0:03:13It's a great way to keep warm.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15If you're cold, do that!
0:03:15 > 0:03:17Yeah.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20The real thrill here is actually trying to catch fish with a rod.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Can I have a go?
0:03:25 > 0:03:26Yep.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31There are fish below us, swimming under one metre of ice.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33Well done!
0:03:33 > 0:03:38It's getting tougher now.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44Argh!
0:03:44 > 0:03:47There's layers under, so...
0:03:47 > 0:03:48Ah!
0:03:48 > 0:03:52See I did all the hard work and then you did a little bit!
0:03:52 > 0:03:54I take the credit!
0:03:54 > 0:04:01Give me some reindeer hide!
0:04:01 > 0:04:02There's a real emphasis on low-impact tourism here,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05which is playing a big part in protecting this
0:04:05 > 0:04:06fragile Arctic ecosystem.
0:04:06 > 0:04:07You should admire my technique here.
0:04:07 > 0:04:12Multitasking.
0:04:12 > 0:04:19Yeah, multiple chances to get fish.
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Fishing isn't just done for the tourists, it's a real fact
0:04:21 > 0:04:27of life for many of the people who live here.
0:04:27 > 0:04:30With only a handful of shops around, most fish still have to be
0:04:30 > 0:04:35caught rather than bought, otherwise nobody eats.
0:04:35 > 0:04:36Did we get a fish?
0:04:36 > 0:04:37Look at that!
0:04:37 > 0:04:38It's a pike.
0:04:38 > 0:04:39It's a pike!
0:04:39 > 0:04:41And it's been messing up my net.
0:04:41 > 0:04:44So fish and potatoes on Monday, potatoes and fish on Tuesday...
0:04:44 > 0:04:49Wednesday, maybe reindeer bits, Thursday fish and potatoes.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Good diet!
0:04:57 > 0:05:01PortAventura is a well-established theme park, Spain's biggest in fact,
0:05:01 > 0:05:05and they get about 4 million visitors here a year.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07But now they're building something that they say will take it
0:05:07 > 0:05:11to a different level and will give us one of the most amazing
0:05:11 > 0:05:15experiences in the world.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19I've come to Ferrari Land, licensed by the famous car brand,
0:05:19 > 0:05:21just as the finishing touches are being put to the site
0:05:21 > 0:05:25days before the launch.
0:05:25 > 0:05:28There are 11 rides here in total, but one in particular
0:05:28 > 0:05:33is hogging the limelight as the main attraction.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36A velocity accelerator ride called Red Force.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Two years in the making, it's now Europe's and fastest
0:05:41 > 0:05:43ever rollercoaster.
0:05:43 > 0:05:48112 metres high at a speed of 180km/h.
0:05:48 > 0:05:54That's nought to 180 in five seconds flat!
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Shall we go for it then?
0:05:56 > 0:05:57Yeah, let's go for it.
0:05:57 > 0:05:58Come on, let's do it.
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Just do it.
0:05:59 > 0:06:02Oh, we're going to get the best views from the front.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04You feel the force on your face as well.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05Right...right.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06There's a loose bolt there.
0:06:06 > 0:06:07Should that be...
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Oh, there's a loose bolt, is there?
0:06:09 > 0:06:10Hands up?
0:06:10 > 0:06:11Yep, thanks up.
0:06:11 > 0:06:12Eyes wide open.
0:06:12 > 0:06:13You don't want to miss it.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14OK, I'll try my best!
0:06:14 > 0:06:19I'll try my best.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21See if you can tell the difference...
0:06:21 > 0:06:22Here we go!
0:06:22 > 0:06:29..between the seasoned coaster and the rookie TV presenter.
0:06:29 > 0:06:39No, I knew you wouldn't be able to.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05Oh!
0:07:05 > 0:07:10What the hell?!
0:07:11 > 0:07:14You know, over the past year we estimate The Travel Show team
0:07:14 > 0:07:17have clocked up over 60 countries, travelled through 24 different time
0:07:17 > 0:07:21zones, countless times, to give you some of the best stories
0:07:21 > 0:07:30from all over the world.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33And here are a couple where we met some truly inspirational
0:07:33 > 0:07:36and remarkable people.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39In a moment we'll see Rajan report from Gir National Park,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43in western India, where he went on patrol with the real-life cat
0:07:43 > 0:07:48women who help to protect the endangered Asiatic lion.
0:07:48 > 0:07:51But first, earlier this month I headed to America to join disabled
0:07:51 > 0:07:56athletes from across the globe who travelled to Maryland to take
0:07:56 > 0:08:06part in a championship that pushes them to the limit and beyond.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09The Working Wounded Games has adaptive athletes compete
0:08:09 > 0:08:19across a range of body building and weightlifting challenges.
0:08:21 > 0:08:24Volunteers!
0:08:24 > 0:08:27Most para-sport is categorised by ability, but the Working Wounded
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Games are different.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35By modifying rules for each individual athlete, they encourage
0:08:35 > 0:08:41people with a range of capabilities to compete together.
0:08:41 > 0:08:50Let's go!
0:08:50 > 0:08:56And one 18-year-old competitor is getting a lot of attention.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00Tell me what you're trying to do.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06And it's mainly because of your right hand?
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Nora has never been able to complete a pull up.
0:09:19 > 0:09:25Unless she can now figure out a way, she'll finish last in this round.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29This is going to be a real challenge for her, physically and mentally.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31Go, go, go!
0:09:31 > 0:09:33Yeah!
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Two in a row!
0:09:35 > 0:09:42How many had she done?
0:09:42 > 0:09:44There's no let up.
0:09:44 > 0:09:46It's then on to the rest of the workout.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59Yeah!
0:09:59 > 0:10:01You were crying, you had tears.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03Your coach was hugging you.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06Why were you so emotional?
0:10:10 > 0:10:15It's OK, take your time.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Was that the first time you've been able to do pullups?
0:10:24 > 0:10:26It's Norwegian power!
0:10:26 > 0:10:32Definitely.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43On average, the unarmed rangers cover 25 kilometres a day and have
0:10:43 > 0:10:45to tackle than snakes, leopards and poachers,
0:10:45 > 0:10:46as well as lions.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48If they did get agitated, how would you be able
0:10:48 > 0:10:50to tell from the animal?
0:10:50 > 0:10:53How would you know if you are safe, being this close to the animal?
0:11:10 > 0:11:15And it did get dangerous for Jayshree early on in her career.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51Applications from women for these posts have rocketed and the rangers
0:11:51 > 0:11:57are role models and trailblazers in the region today.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Look at that mouth!
0:12:02 > 0:12:05The good news is that from once being in danger of extinction,
0:12:05 > 0:12:07numbers have climbed to over 500.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10The next much more welcome problem is if the sanctuary is actually big
0:12:10 > 0:12:15enough for their growing population.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27Up next, a couple of films that put my fellow presenters to the test.
0:12:27 > 0:12:29Back in September, Carmen faced her fears and took
0:12:29 > 0:12:34on some of Japan's more challenging traditional dishes.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38First, back in January we skipped a hotel and arranged for Christa
0:12:38 > 0:12:44to spend the night in a draft English church instead.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46Thankfully she survived, but I'm not sure she'll be
0:12:46 > 0:12:50booking again next year.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53I am here for a spot of champing - church camping.
0:12:53 > 0:12:59It's available at 12 historic venues around the country.
0:12:59 > 0:13:01Beautiful, ancient sites that are rarely, if ever,
0:13:01 > 0:13:05used as places of mass worship any more.
0:13:05 > 0:13:09A very big hotel room.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Money raised from letting champers like me means the crumbling
0:13:11 > 0:13:19buildings are spared a slow and inevitable decline.
0:13:19 > 0:13:22Somebody at the pub just told me that tonight is supposed to be
0:13:22 > 0:13:26the coldest night of the year, so that's good, as I head into my
0:13:26 > 0:13:36unheated church room for the night.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45I've got my air bed...
0:13:45 > 0:13:50Sleeping bag...
0:13:50 > 0:13:52I've just got into bed and it's quite...
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I'm quite comfy, actually.
0:13:54 > 0:14:00Quite cosy, given how cold it is and I can see my breath.
0:14:00 > 0:14:05I'm going to try to go to sleep now and try and forget that I am
0:14:05 > 0:14:08entirely surrounded by graves.
0:14:08 > 0:14:09It is quite cold.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11I'm notably quite cold.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13I think there's jolly good reason that champing is usually only
0:14:13 > 0:14:17done during the summer.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19Deciding to come champing in the dead of winter
0:14:19 > 0:14:24was a really terrible idea.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32Wow, look at this octopus.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34This is Tsukiji in Tokyo.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37This is the world's biggest fish market.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40The early morning tuna auctions are the biggest attraction.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44But just the sheer range of creatures here makes
0:14:44 > 0:14:46for fascinating browsing.
0:14:46 > 0:14:48This is all so fresh.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54I think I need something with a kick.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56The outer market is where you can try some
0:14:56 > 0:15:00of the more exotic flavours.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02This is fish fermented with its own entrails in a salty
0:15:02 > 0:15:12liquid usually made from wheat, miso and soy.
0:15:14 > 0:15:19Mmm!
0:15:19 > 0:15:22LAUGHS
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Very strong!
0:15:25 > 0:15:30It is really chewy, really, very very strong.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34SPEAKS JAPANESE
0:15:34 > 0:15:41Carmen there taking on some of Japan's more challenging tastes.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44So to finish off this special look back at 2017,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46here's a run through of some of my personal
0:15:46 > 0:15:51favourites of the year.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54And over the past 12 months we have been so privileged to really see up
0:15:54 > 0:15:57close some amazing animals all over the world, and meet the people
0:15:57 > 0:16:03who live and work alongside them.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06I can't think of a better way to finish the programme
0:16:06 > 0:16:15than to share with you some of those stories again.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Wow, look at that!
0:16:18 > 0:16:23They are so cute!
0:16:23 > 0:16:28I'm amazed at how much banana a little monkey like that can eat.
0:16:28 > 0:16:29HE LAUGHS
0:16:29 > 0:16:36That monkey must have eaten at least ten bananas.
0:16:36 > 0:16:44They can eat more than ten.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46The villagers here believe these monkeys are sacred.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49There are two types - the cheeky mona, and the black
0:16:49 > 0:16:58and white colubus, which is slightly more aloof.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Harming either species is strictly forbidden under local law,
0:17:02 > 0:17:06which means these villages have become a sanctuary.
0:17:06 > 0:17:10In fact the monkeys here are loved so much, that once they die
0:17:10 > 0:17:14they are given a proper burial.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Here, the monkeys belong to the gods, so the villagers have
0:17:17 > 0:17:24to stay with the monkeys peacefully here.
0:17:24 > 0:17:27If we harm them or punish, we get the same punishment from the gods.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30So we have to stay with them peacefully, and that is why
0:17:30 > 0:17:40the monkeys are unique from other parts of Ghana.
0:17:45 > 0:17:47What kind of patients do you have?
0:17:47 > 0:17:49We have all kinds of illnesses, sicknesses,
0:17:49 > 0:17:53knife wounds, gunshot wounds.
0:17:53 > 0:17:58Some have diarrhoea, constipation, cataracts,
0:17:58 > 0:18:03some have serious cancer, tumours.
0:18:03 > 0:18:12The most difficult case are the victims of landmines.
0:18:12 > 0:18:14For this elephant, each day starts with her prosthetic leg
0:18:14 > 0:18:24being fitted, so she can walk out for breakfast.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Adult females weigh just under three tonnes on average.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31So the prosthetic is needed to give vital relief to her other three legs
0:18:31 > 0:18:36which are under enormous pressure.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40How long did it take her to get used to the prosthetic leg?
0:18:40 > 0:18:45Five to seven days.
0:18:45 > 0:18:47The focus here is working with elephant owners
0:18:47 > 0:18:57in the community to help any animal that needs medical attention.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00They also have a nursery section and I am fortunate enough
0:19:00 > 0:19:01to be able to see...
0:19:01 > 0:19:11a newborn.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14How old a CAD? In nine days.
0:19:14 > 0:19:27Nine days. -- how old is the baby? It is humbling to see the connection
0:19:27 > 0:19:35the doctor has with these at animals as she gave is the baby a checkup.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39It is amazing to see elephants like these that would have otherwise died
0:19:39 > 0:19:43in the wild thrive here in the hospital. Spending time with the
0:19:43 > 0:19:47doctor and learning the ins and outs of what goes on here has been an
0:19:47 > 0:19:58amazing experience that I will not forget any time soon.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07I am heading out to be desert to experience something I am told
0:20:07 > 0:20:17you can only experience in Dubai.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27It is a new twist on traditional Arabian falconry.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29I hear it will be truly breathtaking.
0:20:29 > 0:20:30We will release Oberon from the basket.
0:20:30 > 0:20:33So what's going to happen next is, I've untied him, you'll see
0:20:33 > 0:20:36he is wearing a transmitter on his tail, that is so I can
0:20:36 > 0:20:38find him if he flies away.
0:20:38 > 0:20:39Ready, guys?
0:20:39 > 0:20:49Five, four, three, two, one...
0:21:05 > 0:21:06Wow!
0:21:06 > 0:21:07Amazing.
0:21:07 > 0:21:08Well done.
0:21:08 > 0:21:09Did you want a go?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13Oh yeah, I'd love to.
0:21:13 > 0:21:22Oh, yes.
0:21:22 > 0:21:25Peter has helped to hand-rear these birds from birth,
0:21:25 > 0:21:28and the bond of trust between them is vital.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32It is clear that for him the falcon's welfare is paramount
0:21:32 > 0:21:35and months of work goes into training the birds to get them
0:21:35 > 0:21:39used to the sights and sounds of the balloon and its passengers.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44If practised correctly, these birds are in good shape.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46Essentially the bird is not suffering?
0:21:46 > 0:21:51Absolutely.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54What more could you ask for?
0:21:54 > 0:22:04Unique experience, and what a beautiful animal.
0:22:04 > 0:22:08That's it for our look back at 2017 here on the Travel Show.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11I have had such a great time seeing even more of the world
0:22:11 > 0:22:15and being able to share that with you guys, and I hope you have
0:22:15 > 0:22:18enjoyed not just following me but the rest of the Travel Show team
0:22:18 > 0:22:21too, as we explore the world together.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25Please make sure you join us again in 2018, but in the meantime,
0:22:25 > 0:22:29all that remains is for me to say goodbye from here
0:22:29 > 0:22:32in Finnish Lapland, and join the rest of the team,
0:22:32 > 0:22:34wherever they are in the world, in wishing you a happy
0:22:34 > 0:22:37and healthy New Year.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Bye-bye.
0:22:41 > 0:22:42Bye-bye.