Episode 26 The Travel Show

Scotland showcasing their Commonwealth medals at a parade in

Glasgow. It is time for the travel show. A Mediterranean hotspot draws

a line in the sand, and Telstra is to put their clothes back on. `` and

tells tourists. Everything hanging out, let's be frank, it is not that

pleasant. I would not do it. Coming up this week, the bikini

battle. By skimpy beachwear could land you with a big fine. I go on

the prowl in Japan, and find out why your cup of tea may well come with

quite a big side order of cat. I am told the nails could readily, so it

is unlikely you will be scratched, but if you are unlucky, there is a

first aid kit on hand. And Simon is back with a new itinerary for South

Africa. And to help with a Turkish bureaucratic head scratcher. Hello

and welcome to the travel show, coming to you this week from Tokyo,

where I will be following one of the latest trends, booking a table for

two with the cat. So stay tuned for more about the pack cafes showing up

all around this by publicity. But first, we are heading to Spain's

Alan, a part of the world where many Europeans do to relax and let it all

hang out. So much so, that the authorities on one island are now

trying to legally enforce a sectorial cover`up. Greg McKenzie

reports, fully dressed we hope, from a yorker's capital. `` Majorca's.

Poor recent months, some of the European countries hit and worse by

the crisis, are seeing their resorts fill up once again. More than 15

million international arrivals arrived in Greece last year, while

Spain saw almost 60 million. But have these countries learned any

lessons? Well, for the Spanish island of Majorca, the answer is

maybe. They are, they are talking not only about recovery, but also

redefining their products. In short, it is going upmarket, that is why

there has been a huge investment in top of the range hotels here. More

than 20 have been built in the last 20 years. There are many more

planned. And along with wanting more high end tourists, locals now have

higher expectations of the way they want their visitors to behave. So,

less obvious. `` left of this. And more of this. That is partly why

they have introduced a good citizen plan. Authorities in Parma said that

the good citizen plan and subsequent changes to local laws came about at

a request of residents, some do was so fed up with tourist coming off

the beach into the old town inappropriately dressed. `` some of

whom were. The penalties which make up the good citizen plan starts at

50 euros, for anyone not wearing a top or T`shirt away from beach

areas. 50 euros for riding a bike on the pavement. And 200 euros if you

are caught by merchandise from illegal street changes. It is not

just places that Parma were local sensibilities are being offended by

tourists. In May, a foreign city in Qatar brought in new rules for

visitors to dress modestly in public, and respect the Islamic's

countries by use. In America, it is the tourists who have the upper

hand, after laws were passed banning locals from wearing safety genes or

parents on its boardwalks. Following a number of complaints by visitors.

`` jeans. People don't think that they might cause offence by wearing

inappropriate clothing. Speed, everything hanging out. It is not

that pleasant. This local journalist has lived in Majorca for more than

ten years, says she can see why the City Council is following in the

footsteps of other European cities like Barcelona, which introduced a

similar plan last year. I hope they win is that find immediately, maybe

give people a little bit of warning for the first few months of this

summer. Maybe come in a bit heavy next year, once people know what is

going on. The idea is, tourists are welcome here. It is not an idea to

just that find some people, and they have a horrible holiday. For unlit

insurers, the laws could mean that they find themselves on a more

expensive holiday than they bargain for. It was awful to go into the

city, and be in contact with people that it is a question of empathy.

People could learn from it, because if you go in this area by the beach,

for me it is fine. It is not proper if you want to go to the downtown,

for example. To go to the restaurant or shops. You should wear something.

By critics have suggested this is just a moneymaking venture, the

council insist that this is not true. Absolutely not. This is a

matter to still be a relaxing city, we are. We are in a good position to

be a new destination for the next 20 years. And what happens if a tourist

simply says, I have no money? What would happen if I went to pick up a

tourist, and I said I'm sorry I don't have money. What happens? It

is the same in London, the same in Berlin, in wherever. If I go to

Rome, and I say to police I don't have money, they say come with me.

At the end I pay. It is quite simple, here is the same. The mayor

is hopeful that other towns in May yorker may soon follow suit, and

adopt their own good citizen plan. `` Majorca. For now, it is simple.

If you have got it, don't flaunt it, at least not here in Parma,

because it could cost you dearly. Greg McKenzie on Majorcas efforts to

bring some decorum in. If you planning a trip, here are some tips

to think about before you go. The high season is still very much under

way in the islands, but if you are still planning to catch some time on

the beach, here are some things you might want to bear in mind. While

you are likely to touch down in a noisy tourist town, you could head

to the northern coast of Majorca or a Beazer for a escape from the party

crowds. You will find quieter beaches, and peaceful walks over

beaches and forests. In Majorca, take a vintage train, a daily

service that has been running since 1912. It offers superb views as it

seems its way to the heart of the mountainous island. While you were

there, why not head out on a high, walking and cycling on the range to

give you a completely different perspective on the island. Trail

suitable for all levels, and cut through olive groves and wineries.

Majorca is known to be the quieter of the three main islands. Sporty

types can still go kayaking around the deserted coast there. And if

wildlife is more your thing is, the genes of the National Park provide a

chance to see the birdlife up close. `` the parks and scenes. There is a

quieter and cooler vibe in the winter months. High season runs from

Easter to October. Many places stay open throughout the year. Now, for

your weekly round`up around the world of travel. We start this week

in Venice, Italy. Where a ban on cruise ships entering the city will

come into effect in 2015. Locals and environmentalists have been pleading

with the government to take action, following the claims that the huge

skyscrapers of the sea have been reading the foundations of the city

for years. It looks like Bethlehem is back on the itinerary for many

people taking trips with two operators, to Israel and Palestine.

Tourists are still being advised to be extra vigilant, and take great

care around the refugee camps. Those for whom celestials cycling is more

bad thing, the combination of a super men, and a meteor shower, have

given some incredible views around the world. `` the combination of a

Star shower. But they will be stopping rounds next year, and the

super moon will be back in September. And finally, the skies

were also bespectacled `` the sceptical last week. Half a million

people came to see over 100 balloons take to the sky, with pilots and

visitors across Europe and the United States. Still to come on this

week 's Travel Show. South Africa off the tourist trail, and battling

with the somewhat baffling website providing visas for Turkey. Plus, I

ignore all my own hygiene rules. And enjoy my lunch with Tokyo's animal

population. The Travel show. The essential guide

wherever you are heading. Luck to the size of the show that

aims to make your travelling life easier. `` welcome to the part of

the. They're not on the tourism

mainstream but both are fun and fascinating cities. First, the

business of how to travel between the two? The new train is swift,

safe and comfortable, taking only four minutes. Over the krs of a few

months, you'll be able to explore the history of the anti`apartheid

movement and visit the home of the late Nelson Mandela in Soweto. Also

on the outskirts of Johannesburg, one of my favourite theme parks

anywhere in the world on the site of a former gold mine. Pretoria is full

of movements and monuments to the city's history.

The airport in Paris was put in the shade 40 years ago when it was

opened as the main hub for the French capital but it's still an

excellent airport and significantly closer to the centre of Paris, so my

preferred choice. I would not book a transfer service that I booked

online. I couldn't be sure about cost and security. There are two

good alternatives. Finally, we tackled the subject of

tourist visas for Turkey earlier this year but from our electronic

mailbag, it's clear there is plenty of confusion around. In April,

Turkey brought in electronic visas which tourists are supposed to

obtain in advance. The government has said it's possible to obtain one

on arrival. But my advice is to get one ahead of time. Make sure you go

to the right website rather than kneof the sites that have been set

up to `` rather than the other sites that have been set up to extract

extra fees. Someone got in touch about a problem with the online

application. It took me a while to work out what

had been going on but eventually I figured out where the problem lay.

It's the very first menu on the first application screen when you're

asked country/region. Understandably you tried Turkey to show your

destination country but it's asking for the nationality of your travel

document. In your case ` UK. After that, the process should go

smoothly. That's all for now. If your travelling process isn't as

smooth as it should be, just e`mail us. I'll do my best to help you.

Goodbye for now and see you next time.

We're off to Tokyo next where the cafes and restaurants are feeling

increasingly crowded these days but it's not just the city's human

residents who are making my hunts for a table more problematic. I've

been touring the eateries where animals are not just on the menu,

they're also sitting at your table. Tucked away in an unassuming

building in a suburb in West Tokyo is a cafe with a difference. 24 cats

leisurely lounging on sofas and chairs. It's one of hundreds of cat

cafes popping up across the country. Now to some of us this might seem

like a strange concepts, paying as much as $10 US an hour to hang out

with a bunch of cats and you might expect the clientele to be the batty

old lady type but that's certainly not the case here. It's become a

popular place to visit if your a tourist. I've been to another cat

cafe in Tokyo a few years ago. I can't remember where it was. I think

it's a great idea. It's difficult. People here have small houses and

don't have a garden butmany people like a cat. And here you can enjoy

time with the cat. But also if you're a young single Japanese

woman. I like cats. My dream is to become a doctor. I like cats and

come here. Cat cafes have become quite big on the dating scene here.

TRANSLATION: A lot of single women come here as well as dating couples.

Lately a lot of men come in here alone to spend time with the cats.

The cats here are friendly enough and well looked after. I'm told

their nails are clipped regularly. If you're unlucky, there is a first

aid kit on hand. There's a wall of fame at the entrance, so you can

find your favourite feline and the obligatory kitty trinket. Once I'd

brushed all that cat fur off my clothes, it was time for a bit of

lunch. But this too is no ordinary eatery. Five birds of prey are just

a few steps away, watching me like a hawk. In fact, there are three

hawks, one falcon and an owl. Falconry has been a part of Japanese

culture for centuries. Hundreds of years ago warlords hunted with

falcons in this very neighbourhood. Dedicated customers can even buy a

baby bird. TRANSLATION: Basically I like snakes

and lizards. So it's interesting to go somewhere where I can interact

with the animals. I started to get interested in owning a falcon,

that's why I regularly come here. But the owner warns these birds live

a long life and buying a baby chick is a serious commitment. I must

admit I'm quite terrified of big birds like this. If one of these

came flapping about my head I think I'd scream the house down.

Fortunately they're kept in this enclosure here so customers can

enjoy their meal and just admire. At weekends there are queues around the

block to get a close`up glimpse of these majestic feathered friends

because it's an exotic and spims fierce alternative to the usual

cuddly cafes around. I will stick with this cafe, I think.

TRANSLATION: The visitors injigiving them snacks. Many of them don't own

their own rabbits. They come here out of curiosity and the animals

love it. It's billed as a healing space for stressed out locals. I

forgot how much mess bunnies can leave behind. I've never actually

held a rabbit before. But this rabbit is very fluffy and friendly.

Sometimes rabbits might fight or mate. Japan lacks animal regulations

and they've been able to have cafes like this. But Tokyo has begun to

crack down. Animal protection laws have enforced curfews on cat cafes

that operated around the clock. It seems the restrictions haven't

deterred the customers. The animal cafes springing up all

over Tokyo. Why not let us know if they've hit your neighbourhood yet

by dropping us an e`mail? The address is on your screen now, as

well as details about our Facebook and Twitter feeds. Coming up next

week ` Jamaica, taking full advantage of the end of a recent ban

on jet skis. It's a lot of fun. A real temptation because you have so

much power and you want to accelerate off. I think that's

probably not the right thing to do but I could see myself injiing this

a lot. The ban was imposed following a number of fatal accidents. Now new

regulations have been putten place which have caused some operators to

claim sky high insurance premiums and are pricing them out of the

business altogether. I hope you can join us for that but thin meantime

it's goodbye. `` in the meantime it's goodbye.