0:00:01 > 0:00:04Now on BBC News - The Travel Show.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06Welcome to The Travel Show.
0:00:06 > 0:00:12This week, we are taking a look back at 2015.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Insane!
0:00:25 > 0:00:27A quick glimpse at just some of our adventures from
0:00:27 > 0:00:28around the world this year.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31We clocked up to 50 countries in the past 12 months,
0:00:31 > 0:00:37and today we will bring you some of our favourite stories again.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40That is all coming up, along with a lot more.
0:00:40 > 0:00:43But first, let's kick off with a couple of my own.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48In a moment, we will head to Spain to find out how one Europe's most
0:00:48 > 0:00:50famous package holiday destinations wanted to make a bid for UNESCO
0:00:51 > 0:00:55World Heritage status this year.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59But first, back in September, Raj travelled to Myanmar to
0:00:59 > 0:01:02discover some amazing temples that have up until now been
0:01:02 > 0:01:07off the tourist trails.
0:01:16 > 0:01:21Here we are - 42 square kilometres of monasteries, temples
0:01:21 > 0:01:26and pagodas, with a claim to be Asia's largest archaeological site.
0:01:26 > 0:01:31I am told this is the best way to get about.
0:01:42 > 0:01:47This was Myanmar's first capital, where Buddhism in the country began.
0:01:47 > 0:01:53Over 2000 religious monuments dominate the landscape.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58The show-stopping scenery was largely hidden from the world during
0:01:58 > 0:02:04the years of military rule, and is yet to be overrun by tourists.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06What an experience.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23So this is the Ananda Temple, one of the showpiece temples
0:02:23 > 0:02:25in this whole complex.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29It is supposed to be amazing, and I will meet a man who, in a
0:02:29 > 0:02:33way, created tourism here way back in the '70s, and if anyone knows
0:02:33 > 0:02:40about the background, history, civilisation here, it is this man.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48Did they build all of this by hand, or...?
0:02:48 > 0:02:56By hand, no machinery.
0:02:56 > 0:03:01He used to work in a fertiliser factory.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03But in 1971, he started showing tourists around
0:03:03 > 0:03:07in exchange for English lessons.
0:03:07 > 0:03:12Wow.
0:03:14 > 0:03:19The temples here have withstood huge earthquakes.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22And some ham-fisted attempts at restoration
0:03:22 > 0:03:26under the military junta.
0:03:26 > 0:03:31Some say that is why it has not yet been awarded UNESCO heritage status.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45This seaside resort on the Costa Blanca grew from
0:03:45 > 0:03:50a sleepy fishing village with just 3000 inhabitants back in the 1960s
0:03:50 > 0:03:58to a metropolis of high-rise apartments and hotels.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Tourism is its main industry, and city officials are banking
0:04:03 > 0:04:08on this to help propel Benidorm into the realms
0:04:08 > 0:04:12of UNESCO World Heritage status.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17How can Benidorm compare to other UNESCO sites such as the Great Wall
0:04:17 > 0:04:27of China, or Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe, or the pyramids of Egypt?
0:04:27 > 0:04:33You are used to monuments, but we want to have it,
0:04:33 > 0:04:39because if it will be possible, we will sell to the world that the
0:04:39 > 0:04:50mother of Benidorm is a good mother, a sustainable mother for tourism.
0:04:50 > 0:04:53-- model of Benidorm is a good model, a sustainable model for
0:04:53 > 0:04:54tourism.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57Benidorm is full of surprises. I think I'm about to get one.
0:04:57 > 0:04:58Hello, what are you doing in here?
0:04:58 > 0:05:00What are you doing in here?
0:05:00 > 0:05:03You should knock before you come into a lady's dressing room.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04You two are going to be trouble.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07This show bar in the centre of Benidorm's oldtown is very popular.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11Gary Brown spent ten years working as a nurse in the UK before he
0:05:11 > 0:05:17decided he had had enough and jetted off to Spain to become a drag queen.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19I think a lot of people have this preconceived
0:05:19 > 0:05:23idea of Benidorm, but they tend to be people that have never been.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27It can be a snobby thing, where people think, Benidorm, I want to go
0:05:27 > 0:05:30there, but they have never been.
0:05:30 > 0:05:36I say they can't criticise until they have been.
0:05:36 > 0:05:42Are you ready to be entertained?
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Please put your hands together and make some noise for the one
0:05:45 > 0:05:50and only...
0:05:50 > 0:05:54The idea to apply for UNESCO World Heritage status is
0:05:54 > 0:05:58still in its early stages and could take up to six years before Benidorm
0:05:58 > 0:06:06finds out if it has achieved the much-desired UNESCO crown.
0:06:07 > 0:06:11So I guess we will just have to wait and see if it is deserving
0:06:11 > 0:06:12of such a title.
0:06:12 > 0:06:17CHEERING
0:06:21 > 0:06:23Still no word on the UNESCO bid.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26We will let you know if Benidorm ends up joining the list
0:06:26 > 0:06:30along with the likes of Stonehenge and the Taj Mahal in 2016.
0:06:31 > 0:06:36DANCE MUSIC
0:06:41 > 0:06:45Oh, wow.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48Time now for some adventure, and 2015 saw The Travel Show team
0:06:48 > 0:06:52travel to all four corners of the globe to test our nerve
0:06:52 > 0:06:55and try something new.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Here are some of our favourites from the past.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07I am at Sky Jump, the country's highest base jump by wire,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09and it is not for the fainthearted.
0:07:09 > 0:07:11Are you excited?
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Yes, and nervous.
0:07:14 > 0:07:15Stylish.
0:07:15 > 0:07:18Especially if you are like me and have a fear of heights.
0:07:18 > 0:07:21This is very tight.
0:07:21 > 0:07:23There are a lot of safety checks, thankfully.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27What was I thinking?
0:07:27 > 0:07:29As I am about to plummet more than 190 metres
0:07:29 > 0:07:33off the side of this tower.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35Let's show everyone where you are about to go.
0:07:35 > 0:07:36All the way down there.
0:07:36 > 0:07:37Oh, my God.
0:07:37 > 0:07:38Don't look!
0:07:38 > 0:07:43This is really terrifying.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45I will get you attached first.
0:07:45 > 0:07:48One on the front, and one on the back.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50OK.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52Perfect.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54Right up to the edge. You can do it.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59Straight out. Try not to look down.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03It's coming. Three, two, one, go!
0:08:03 > 0:08:08SCREAMS
0:08:16 > 0:08:1911 seconds later, having travelled at almost 100 kilometres per hour,
0:08:19 > 0:08:23my feet are firmly on the ground.
0:08:23 > 0:08:24How was that?
0:08:24 > 0:08:29Terrifying. I'm not doing it again.
0:08:29 > 0:08:38Minutes to go before my bout, and this is my opponent.
0:08:38 > 0:08:44The one tactic I was taught does not really work.
0:08:44 > 0:08:51And from that moment on, I am in a bit of trouble.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Thank you very much.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00Good luck.
0:09:00 > 0:09:09Thank you. Whew.
0:09:15 > 0:09:26Insane!
0:09:26 > 0:09:32You see?
0:09:36 > 0:09:41They make it look very easy, but it is far from it.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44You have to be careful of where you are heading, because these
0:09:44 > 0:09:46tracks are not straight lines.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Your speed picks up a crazy amount,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53and you need to plant your feet to slow down.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Watch out for those trees!
0:09:57 > 0:10:00A close call.
0:10:04 > 0:10:10Skinflint are one of Botswana's leading young heavy metal bands.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Despite their aggressive appearance, everybody I meet here is quite
0:10:12 > 0:10:18friendly.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20These gigs take place monthly all around Botswana,
0:10:20 > 0:10:24and newcomers like me are welcome.
0:10:26 > 0:10:30It is like an expression, freedom of expression, power.
0:10:30 > 0:10:38That is how I look at heavy metal.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40It is also music that allows you to experiment a lot,
0:10:40 > 0:10:45because it has no boundaries.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50As the band gets into its stride, the crowd begins to mosh.
0:10:50 > 0:10:52This is how some rock fans like to express themselves, but
0:10:53 > 0:10:57for me, it is definitely a first.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05And this is not just about dressing the part, this is a new generation
0:11:05 > 0:11:10claiming heavy metal as their own.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17People should open their eyes, not put Africa in a box
0:11:17 > 0:11:21like they always do.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24They only think that Africa is a certain way.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27We are poverty-ridden, there are a lot of negatives.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29But we are also a very creative people.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32Even though it is not publicised much, there are a lot
0:11:32 > 0:11:34of talented musicians and artists.
0:11:34 > 0:11:39I think Skinflint is an example of that.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Stick with us, coming up, we have more memories from 2015,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59including the time we got up close and personal with some killer whales
0:11:59 > 0:12:05off the coast of Taiwan.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08They are very difficult to film because as soon as they
0:12:08 > 0:12:26come up they have gone again.
0:12:26 > 0:12:30One of my personal highlights of the year has to be an amazing
0:12:30 > 0:12:33trip that I was lucky enough to make back in September to Kenya.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35I headed to Amboseli National Park to see
0:12:35 > 0:12:41the conservation efforts going on to help save elephants from poaching.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45But while I was in Kenya I found the time to visit the birthplace
0:12:45 > 0:12:48of Elsa the lion, the orphaned cub made famous by the film Born Free.
0:12:48 > 0:12:57That was really special.
0:13:03 > 0:13:05This is Elsa's last resting spot, very close to
0:13:05 > 0:13:08the river where George Adamson found her, and the last moments were spent
0:13:08 > 0:13:12with her before she died.
0:13:12 > 0:13:24And of course, George's ashes were scattered around here as well.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27George had this lovely call, he never had to shout.
0:13:27 > 0:13:35"Boy, come on boy!"
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Johnny Baxendale was George's godson, who used to help release
0:13:38 > 0:13:44lions to the wild and come back to their regular haunts for visits.
0:13:44 > 0:13:46It relaxed, there was no tension or issues.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49We knew them very well, they would walk up to us and greet
0:13:49 > 0:13:55us in the most amazing way.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58The pair used to sit under this tamarind tree with warm beers.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02It doesn't take long before the memories come flooding back.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05Just being with him and being able to work with him
0:14:05 > 0:14:08and see how he absolutely handled his lions, and how relaxed he was,
0:14:08 > 0:14:19and he had this amazing rapport with his environment.
0:14:19 > 0:14:28Totally in harmony with his environment.
0:14:28 > 0:14:34Anything to first of all try to revive the legacy
0:14:34 > 0:14:41tremendously with tourism.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43It would suddenly pick up.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46I think the anniversary is a wonderful way to relive this,
0:14:46 > 0:14:49and for people out here to come and see for themselves where it
0:14:49 > 0:14:51happened and what happened.
0:14:51 > 0:14:53This is the Born Free country.
0:14:53 > 0:14:59This is where Elsa was found and this is where she died.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08Remembering Elsa on the 50th anniversary of the film,
0:15:08 > 0:15:10the film that made her name synonymous with conservation.
0:15:10 > 0:15:18Back in August, Carmen headed off on a volunteering break to Taiwan,
0:15:18 > 0:15:22where people wanting to get away from the city life for a few days
0:15:22 > 0:15:25helped to paint a local village a signature shade of orange.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28In return they get food and a bed, and if they are lucky,
0:15:28 > 0:15:38a truly remarkable encounter with some killer whales.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42We are on a whale watching boat, but the guide says we are unlikely
0:15:42 > 0:15:44to see whales but we will probably see some dolphins.
0:15:44 > 0:15:45And a spectacular sunrise.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48This part of the world lies on the Tropic of Cancer, the
0:15:48 > 0:15:51imaginary ring that circumnavigates the world and the line of latitude
0:15:51 > 0:16:01where the sun shines highest in the sky for the longest during the day.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Hundreds of thousands of people come to Taiwan every year
0:16:03 > 0:16:06to take part in events that mark the summer solstice in June.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08At around 5:30am I get to see why.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12So, we have been watching the sky change from a pale pink in the very
0:16:12 > 0:16:15early morning, and it is gradually getting brighter and more orange.
0:16:15 > 0:16:18Now we have displays of sun, which is making such a spectacular view.
0:16:18 > 0:16:37It is almost like a different shade of orange every minute.
0:16:40 > 0:16:44Fairly soon after the sunrise we get our first glimpse of what we have
0:16:44 > 0:16:53really come to see, killer whales.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Whales are protected species here in Taiwan, and this even this close
0:16:56 > 0:17:07is truly breathtaking.
0:17:07 > 0:17:10And a special reward for me and all the hard-working volunteers.
0:17:10 > 0:17:13It is so exciting to be surrounded by a family of killer whales,
0:17:13 > 0:17:17apparently it is the first sighting of the season, but they are really
0:17:17 > 0:17:21difficult to film because as soon as they come up they are gone again.
0:17:21 > 0:17:24Truly stunning, and lucky to be able to get so close
0:17:24 > 0:17:27to those magnificent creatures.
0:17:27 > 0:17:31To finish off our look back at this year we have decided to
0:17:31 > 0:17:36focus on the downright strange stories we have had.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40In a moment, Christa learns to be a mermaid at one of the strangest
0:17:40 > 0:17:46attractions we have come across.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48We meet the internet sensation who eats her dinner online
0:17:48 > 0:17:53every evening in South Korea.
0:17:53 > 0:17:56But first, back in September, Carmen travelled to the Japanese
0:17:56 > 0:18:06city of Kyoto to try out a wedding break with a difference.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12You look like a princess, how do you feel?
0:18:12 > 0:18:15I am so happy!
0:18:15 > 0:18:18All my dreams come true!
0:18:18 > 0:18:20This is not like most traditional nuptials,
0:18:20 > 0:18:25it is in fact a wedding for one.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Keiko was married 12 years ago, but back then she and her husband
0:18:28 > 0:18:30couldn't afford a proper ceremony and banquet, then
0:18:30 > 0:18:38life got busy, Keiko fell pregnant, and life fell by the wayside.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41While today is a day of excitement for Keiko, it is also
0:18:41 > 0:18:43tinged with a little sadness.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45It would have been better if my husband
0:18:45 > 0:18:47and son had been able to come.
0:18:47 > 0:18:5112 years ago we couldn't afford a proper wedding and ever since I have
0:18:51 > 0:18:52dreamt of doing it as a family.
0:18:52 > 0:19:06I can't wait to show the pictures to everyone back home.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Obviously there is no actual legal wedding,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11but since launching the package last year, more than 100 brides have
0:19:11 > 0:19:12taken part in the experience.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16This woman is a music teacher, 28 years old and living with her
0:19:16 > 0:19:19parents and older sister in an apartment on the outskirts of Seoul.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22How did you start doing this programme?
0:19:22 > 0:19:25TRANSLATION: Well, I couldn't understand before why people were
0:19:25 > 0:19:28watching eating programmes, but my friend said they were interesting.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31One day I found myself watching it all through the night,
0:19:31 > 0:19:33then my sister asked me why I was watching it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:49She said, you like to cook and eat a lot, why did you do the programme?
0:19:49 > 0:19:51And so she did.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53Now, four nights a week, she broadcasts online to lonely
0:19:53 > 0:19:55viewers who now have an instant pop up dining partner.
0:19:55 > 0:20:05Sometimes she cooks her own food.
0:20:05 > 0:20:07Sometimes she orders take away, sometimes it is both.
0:20:07 > 0:20:10After all, there is four hours of airtime to fill every night.
0:20:10 > 0:20:12It is minutes before tonight's transmission starts.
0:20:12 > 0:20:15She is not the only one doing this around the country,
0:20:15 > 0:20:17thousands of others are about to host their own similar shows.
0:20:17 > 0:20:27Do some people say to you, this is really weird?
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Yes, that is exactly what I thought when I first started.
0:20:30 > 0:21:01But people who watch the programme really enjoy it.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03These are the Weeki Wachee Mermaids who perform underwater acrobatics
0:21:03 > 0:21:06in this auditorium built into the side of a natural spring.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Hundreds of people come to watch it, including many wide-eyed
0:21:08 > 0:21:13youngsters, and some not so young.
0:21:13 > 0:21:15They are each holding these hoses in their hands,
0:21:15 > 0:21:18which they breathe through, but then they drop them and swim
0:21:18 > 0:21:20around for what seems like ages.
0:21:20 > 0:21:28It is impressive.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Do you think I could be a mermaid?
0:21:30 > 0:21:32Yes, that would be awesome!
0:21:32 > 0:21:39So, one rather undignified costume change later...
0:21:39 > 0:21:43I have a mermaid tail!
0:21:43 > 0:21:44Ready?
0:21:44 > 0:21:45Yes.
0:21:45 > 0:21:47It is really cold!
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Swimming as a mermaid is definitely tougher
0:21:51 > 0:21:55than these guys make it look.
0:21:55 > 0:22:03Still, after a couple of attempts, I do manage a mermaid smile
0:22:03 > 0:22:23and wave, the best I can hope for!
0:22:23 > 0:22:27But for the real mermaids, the future is now looking more secure.
0:22:27 > 0:22:36That is it for our look back at 2015 here on the Travel Show.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39Thank you for joining us on all of our travels throughout the year,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and we hope you head out with us again in 2016.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46Until then, wherever you are heading next, we would like to wish you
0:22:46 > 0:22:48a happy and healthy New Year.
0:22:48 > 0:22:53We will see you in 2016.