So teenage dreams that finally came true 38 years later. I really want to thank 17 year old mike for earning me a little bit of money. The message to other people that age, if you have got a talent, follow your passion and really follow it through and good things can happen. Time for a look at the weather now with chris fawkes. The weather is going to change. We have had a few showers are working their way in. These have been falling as rain. A bit of snow for scotland and the South East Of England. Overnight, it becomes the major issue. As this whether front moves on, it will bring a spell of snow across parts of scotland and england. If youre travelling through the early hours there could be disruption on the roads with a combination of ice and snow. Eventually, thats noble turn back to rain as milder air works and off of the atlantic but on sunday, the risk of small works in the parts of east anglia and south east england. Could be a few hours of snow before we see that transition back to rain. The potential for some we see that transition back to rain. The potentialfor some issues. As that milder air works, it could be a cloudy day, some will be low, Market Conditions with mist and hill fog badges, eventually it will turn milder, temperatures reaching double figures across the western side of the uk. That is the latest. Hello. This is bbc news. The headlines. Downing street warns gps in england that they must keep their surgeries open at times which suit patients, orface having theirfunding cut. The British Medical Association accused ministers of scapegoating doctors. Jeremy corbyn says failing private care homes will be taken into Public Ownership if labour wins the next election. He warns the Social Care System is at serious risk of breakdown. Parts of englands east coast have escaped significant flooding after a change in Wind Direction prevented a storm surge. Seven people had to be rescued from life rafts after their cargo ship sank near kent. Mps have called on the government to publish its plan for leaving the eu by mid february at the latest and for the commons to get a vote on the final deal. A girl stolen from a hospital in florida when she was just eight hours old is found 18 years after she disappeared. A womans been charged with kidnapping. Now on bbc news, its time for The Travel Show. This week, im exploring russias Hidden Underground military history in vladivostok. I can just imagine the dark deeds that would be done here. Oh, my god. Something dropped on my head we go shopping in myanmar. Its actually quite difficult to walk through here. Its so busy. Simon calder has tips on what to do if youre heading to rome with toddlers in tow. Hello and welcome to The Travel Show, with me, carmen roberts. Coming to you this week from russia. And a little later on in the programme, ill be going underground, into the tunnels beneath the streets of vladivostok. But first, we head to myanmar, a country off limits for decades because of military rule. But now, its opening up, and tourism is booming. We sent Rajan Datar On A Trek Off The Beaten Track to find out about a project aimed at helping local people benefit from the increase in the number of people now visiting their previously off limits country. Dazzling pagodas and ancient temples, these are the iconic sites that are attracting more people than ever before to myanmar. But im here to get away from the main Tourist Sites and see a way of life thats remained unchanged for centuries. Im heading to pindaya in the danu zone of the shan state to follow one of a new series of trails that its hoped will kick start tourism in the region. Ivejust arrived in pindaya and its market day. And its bustling, its full of people selling their wares, loads of different vegetables, loads of fruit, meat, the whole thing. And if we go down this channel here, well see what else we can find here. Its actually quite difficult to walk through here. Its so busy. The market is the starting point for many of the new danu trails. Theres an incredible array of stuff on offer, but the thought of actually trying to buy anything in the crowds of people is a little overwhelming. Do you know what, i cant figure out whos selling and whos buying here even though its kind of like anarchy, you feel any sense of danger. Dont feel. No one is trying to rip you off. No ones trying to steal anything. Its a nice atmosphere. Really cool. Back into the throng. There are more than 20 different Walking Routes thatve been mapped out through this region, with Different Levels of distance and difficulty. Expert guide dohjoins me to lead the way. Tell me why its good for the danu people to have this trek. For danu people, they will get extra money from tourism. Like, let me say about a supply change. So, tourism creates, and many people they can getjobs. So, shopkeepers, hotel owners, waiters. Maybe we can create more and more jobs. The Trail Network winds through villages that have rarely seen tourists. Please, take off shoes, sir. Yes. Thank you very much. This Farming Family Produce Bamboo hats as a sideline business. They can make up to 300 week. And then put on and cut. They need ten pieces to make one hat. This is a hat for the man. A hat for the man. And this is the hat for the woman. 0k. Different. Ah, 0k. Whoops a bit too far on the other side. Im not so sure let me get that exactly right. Are you laughing at me . so, in here, you can make one size. Very nice. Well, one size fits all. Lets see if it fits me. Shall we . Can i try . Ah three size she must have guessed the size of my head, because it fits perfect. She said this is for you. I couldnt ok, iwill, then. The rest of the hats are bound for the market. So, whats the legend of the spider . So the Spider Capture the seven. And last on our trek, this major site of pilgrimage. Statues of a huge spider and a prince sit at the bottom of these stairs. Figures from ancient legends. Look at this. Wow its like a. Wow. These caves are home to 9000 statues, some Dating Back Hundreds of years. Theyre all brought and donated by devotees hoping for a blessing. Its just buddhas galore, and theyre made of, what . What material underneath the gold . Like a concrete. Concrete . So, when making a buddha image, what did the people hope happens in terms of buddhism . Is it to give them a better life, afterlife . This is like a good deed. Yeah, like merit making . Yes. And maybe for the next existence, to get to a better place, you know . People to be up and into nirvana in one day. Wow. And if nirvana is not an option, i, for one, am happy after years of this country being in isolation to settle for a slice of this magnificent landscape and culture. And if youre thinking of visiting myanmar in the near future, here is our list of the best things to see and do. The Shwedagon Pagoda has stood the 2500 years, a tribute to myanmars buddhist faith. Catch it at sunset to see it below. Catch it at sunset to see it glow. At 42 square kilometres, bagan is one of asias largest archaeological sites. Access was restricted under the military junta, so most tourists are still to discover its monasteries and temples. Nearby, mount popa is another less visited holy spot. At over 700 metres, prepare yourself for a steep climb. Also, watch out for thousands of Macaque Monkeys live on the mountain, and some dont take kindly to visitors. Keep any food you have sealed if you dont want them running off with your lunch. Next up, its our thirsty explorer brad cohen, who this week is off to kosovo in search of some home made rakija. So we embarked on a Whirlwind Trip to learn about the drink known as raki or rakija. Though language, culture and religion may divide kosovo and other former yugoslavian countries, they all share a love for this ubiquitous fruit brandy. Everywhere we went there was raki a judges party, a lingerie shop, even a monastery. Monks here produced wine since the 14th century. What makes it good . Taste it and you tell me what you think about it. For nearly 700 years, wine and rakija helped support the serbian monks. Here it has to be soft, but here it is to be strong. I imagine this can get you through a pretty rough balkan winter. And a nice balkan summer as we toasted, i couldnt help but wonder how often a serb and albanian kosovar actually shared a drink these days. You guys seem pretty peaceful right now. We grew up in the same country. His friends needed more rakija for his bar. Lets go. So we headed to his producers house. A town renowned for its rich soil and production of rakija wine. Here, we got a lesson in home made distillation. We were greeted in typical kosovar fashion, with a warm handshake, something to drink and far too much food, which was quite literally from the table. Two hours now of eating and drinking home made drink and food. Life is good. Sakibs story is common in the balkans. During the yugoslav wars throughout the 90s, jobs became scarce. But there was plenty of fruit, and people used it to turn centuries old Family Traditions into a business. Supplying bars with home made rakija. That is tasty. That day, sakib was making plum rakija, and friends, neighbours and the entire family rushed to help with the precision of a pit crew. At its best, rakija tastes anywhere between a tasty grotto or fine cognac, depending on ageing and type of fruit. At its worst, rakija tastes like embalming fluid. I think you could preserve bodies with. Unfortunately, its impossible to know before you taste it. Stay with us, because later on in the programme, i run into some unexpected visitors deep beneath the streets of vladivostok. And our global guru simon calder is here with his advice on the best things to see and do in lisbon, so dont go away. Welcome to the slice of the show that tackles your questions about getting the best out of travel. Coming up shortly, the ideal way to see rome with toddlers, and the challenges of rail travel in laos. But first, theres been lots of interest in the first nonstop scheduled flights between europe and australia. From march 2018, you should be able to fly from London Heathrow to perth in Western Australia in 17 hours. One of the worlds very longest air routes. Tickets dont go on sale until april 2017, and we dont yet know how much the trip will cost. Next, Emma Fletcher treated a cheerful Video Message to bbc travel show asking. We are the Fletcher Family in chester. Were off to rome in a week in the middleofjanuary, and wonder if youve got any tips for us with toddlers. Thank you first, visit Explora Il Museo Dei Bambini as it calls itself, full of fun, interactive exhibits for small children, and free for the underfives. Next, theres the Villa Borghese bioparco. Although romes zoo is modest, the Reptile House is always fun, and warm injanuary, too. And for an ice cream at a price that wont send you into financial meltdown, giolitti, an elegant institution at the heart of rome and well worth the inevitable queue. Drjs baug is heading to europe from his home city of mumbai. Im travelling to lisbon for a business meeting, and i have a full day free. Can you suggest the best tour options to see lisbon . Start in the elegant city centre, known as bayelsa, mostly built in the 18th century. Then explore the hills to the east with the original Moorish Quarter of alfama. From there, tram 28 planks it way westwards across the city and clambers up to the giappo district, perched on a hill high above the noise and bustle of the centre. Along the way, you can barely move for eating and drinking opportunities, including my favourite coffee spot in europe, the cafe a brasileira, a feast of mahogany and mirrors that has been serving sweet, strong coffee for almost a century. Finally, john rose was in cambodia last year, and says. We met a couple who told us they had travelled from the very north of laos to the south by train. Have you any information regarding this, as wed love to pursue it . John, the couple you met had perhaps been travelling too long. Unlike neighbouring cambodia and vietnam, laos hasjust six kilometres of railway. The line runs from the Friendship Bridge over the mighty mekong river, which marks the thai border to thanaleng station, 13 kilometres from the capital, vientiane. A Shuttle Train me to the express from bangkok to run a Shuttle Train meets the express from bangkok to run across and into laos, where you can get a visa on arrival. To reach the capital, you then have to take a bus or a taxi. Until the rail network expands, the ideal way to travel in laos is by riverboat on the mekong, though go downstream from the fine city of Luang Prabang to vientiane. Unless youve got plenty of time on your hands to travel against the current. Whether you or after a slow boat or a fast train, whether you are after a slow boat or a fast train, The Travel Show is here to help, so e mail your question to The Travel Show at bbc. Co. Uk, and ill do my very best to find you an answer. From me, simon calder, the global guru, bye for now and see you next time. Vladivostok in russias far east is home to over 500,000 people. And its no stranger to traffic jams, partly because theres no Subway System here. But what do lie beneath the hills are the remnants of what used to be one of the most powerful maritime fortresses in the world. Abandoned for decades, some areas are now open to tourists. This is an author whose interest in vlad ivosto ks military past was sparked as a young boy growing up in this area. Is this where you used to come as a child . Yeah, yeah, yeah. Today, vladimir and i are exploring his childhood stomping ground, also known as stronghold number one. So those holes there, made by guns . They are holes made from quick firing guns. At the turn of the 20th century, tsarist russia went to war with japan over who controlled korea and manchuria to the south and the waters surrounding them. Vladivostok was home to the Imperial Russian fleet, and that made it a potential target. Vladimir, why was vladivostok such an important Military Point . It was the only gate of russia in the pacific region, and it was the only port on the Russian Pacific shore connected with siberia and other russia by trans siberian railway. I didnt expect the ceilings to be so high. It was proposed as a shelter of peoples, and not only as access path. That is why there is a lot of space. Yeah. Space for people. Although many parts of the fort word used during the cold war, this particular stronghold was abandoned after world war ii. Its safe to say it has seen better days. To be honest, ifind this place quite creepy. Maybe i read too many crime novels, but i canjust imagine the dark deeds that would be done here. Oh, god. Something dropped on my head you know what . People are still allowed to come in here. There are no doors barricading people. You can see from the rubbish on the floor that people still use these shelters. That was gross, that thing that fell on my head. During the soviet era, vladivostok was closed from the outside world. It only opened to visitors in 1992. As the cold war thawed, a new generation of enthusiasts got interested in the Abandoned Fort and sprawling underpasses, some of them with more western influences. Today, sasha takes tours around ford number seven. In good condition, it is one of the easiest forts to visit. Although it is well looked after, its still best to go with a guide. Fort number seven was completed in 1916, and it housed troops until 1923 when the city was demilitarised. During soviet times, the fort was used as a political prisoner, after which it was deserted. But despite years of neglect, sasha tells me the fort still has many of its original features. Tell me where were going. Fort number seven is used by locals and visitors who come here for guided tours and for leisure activities, such as skateboarding and laser tag. Theres a guy with a gun pointed at me what am i meant to do . im notjumping at all although many of the Military Structures in vladivostok are still derelict, its great to see more people getting interested in them, because whether its history or a fantasy game that gets you here, these structures that once aimed to make vladivostok impregnable, deserve to be preserved. Thats all weve got time for this week, and dont forget, if you want to follow us on our travels in real time, you can sign up to our social media feeds, where you can share your travel too. Coming up next week, we head to the us to go Whale Watching off the coast of new york. Theres a lot of excitement on the boat because someone just. There it is and addy sees how far he can get exploring a Massive Cave Network in oman. Theres flights and flights of stairs, even im not going to attempt to go up them. It would probably easier to get to heaven than to get up that lot. Thats on the show next week, but for now, for me, carmen roberts, and the rest of The Travel Show team here in russia, its goodbye. For many others today represents the last of the cold days. It will be milderfor last of the cold days. It will be milder for the last of the cold days. It will be milderfor the second last of the cold days. It will be milder for the second half of the weekend but before we get to that milder weather we still have time to enjoy the snow cover in scotland. This was one of the Weather Water weather watcher pictures sent in during the snow around stirling. We have seen a number of showers, you can series on the radar picture. Many of these have fallen as rain, although it feels cold outside, they are is not as cold as it has been. Two remaining matches in football, swa nsea two remaining matches in football, swansea against arsenal and Leicester City against chelsea, both matches will be dry but it will feel cold. Overnight tonight, we will see some icy conditions for a time over scotla nd some icy conditions for a time over scotland and Northern England. There will be small for a time across scotla nd will be small for a time across scotland and across northern and eastern england. There is scope for several centimetres of snow building up several centimetres of snow building up so there could be transport disruption. For those up in the early hours it is something to be aware of. On sunday, milder air works in off of the atlantic and that will push into most parts of the country, but probably not be too far east of england until later in the day. There is the risk of some snowfall. Temperatures around seven 01 snowfall. Temperatures around seven or9 snowfall. Temperatures around seven or 9 degrees across wales and the western counties of england but there is the risk of snow across east anglia and the South East Of England as we start on sunday morning. The snow will eventually transition back to rain. For northern ireland, most of Northern England and scotland, it is a murky started the day, low cloud of mist and hill fog patches. Milder temperatures in glasgow, you start here at 9 degrees. For the rest, this band of rain slowly pushes eastwards, the small transitions backin eastwards, the small transitions back in The Rain Across East Anglia and the south east. We will all be in the same boat, grey skies, overcast weather as we go through the day. It will turn that but milder, temperature into double figures for belfast, cardiff and plymouth, but holding onto that cold airfor most eastern plymouth, but holding onto that cold air for most eastern areas for a time. The picture early next week from me will be like this. Some different weather coming in the early pa rt different weather coming in the early part of next week. Cloud will be thick enough to bring some rain across the West Of Scotland and it will be breezy, but milder conditions were temperatures for the West Of Scotland remaining into double figures for a few days to come. You can find out more on the bbc weather website or on your smartphone bbc weather up. That is your latest weather. This is bbc news. The headlines at three the Prime Minster warns gps in england they must open for longer to meet Patient Demand or risk losing funding. Doctors leaders have hit back. Clearly, we know what the reasons for the problems are. The reasons are, we have too few doctors, lower than in any other part of europe, we have too few hospital beds, we have cuts in social care. Jeremy corbyn warns the Social Care System is at serious risk of breakdown and, if labour wins the next election, failing private care homes will be taken into Public Ownership. This man was somebody special
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