Weekly travel agenda: NYT Travel Show

The New York Times Travel Show opens to the public February 26, offering a taste of vacations from all over the world under the roof of the Jacob K Javits center in NYC. New York's latest hotel, the Mondrian SoHo, opens to the public March 1, although some lucky visitors have already had a chance to get inside at a party held for New York Fashion Week.

8th New York Times Travel Show
February 25-27
New York, NY, USA

The New York Times travel show is a major event for both the trade and the general public, with over 500 exhibitors representing over 150 nations packed into New York's Jacob K Javits Convention Center. Conferences on the Caribbean, Africa and cruise vacations will be held on the first (industry-only) day before the exhibition opens to the public February 26.
http://www.nyttravelshow.com

Mondrian SoHo Opens
March 1
New York, NY, USA

This long-awaited hotel has been pushed back several times, but it looks set to officially debut March 1. The third addition to the luxury Mondrian brand offers 270 rooms and Imperial No. 9, a restaurant by US celebrity chef Sam Talbot.
http://www.mondriansoho.com

19th Dubai International Boat Show
March 1-5
Dubai, UAE

Dubai kicks off one of the Middle East's largest boat exhibitions March 1, with over 700 exhibitors expected for a show which is traditionally focused on the very large and very expensive. Also look out for Dive Middle East, held at the same time.
http://www.boatshowdubai.com

Venice Carnival final weekend
March 4 - 8
Venice, Italy

Venice's carnival is all about masquerade - some of the most stunning and strange creations are seen every year in the glamorous final days of the event. Visitors can enjoy music, dancing and a wide range of other lavish cultural events.
http://www.carnevale.venezia.it/

Rio Carnival
March 4-8
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The world's largest street party returns to Rio de Janeiro, with millions of locals and tourists expected to visit the Brazilian city for "the greatest show on Earth." The biggest event, the Samba School parades, occurs March 6-7.
http://www.rio.rj.gov.br/riotur/en/

Rose Monday
March 7
Germany

Rose Monday traditionally sees the crescendo of Germany's carnival season, with millions of locals and tourists expected to be out in force for events up and down the country. The largest carnival in Germany is normally held in Cologne, where a 6-kilometer-long procession takes to the streets in a dazzling array of costumes.

45th ITB Berlin
March 9 -13
Berlin, Germany

The world's largest travel show returns, bringing the global tourism industry together under the roof of the enormous Berlin Messe hall. Known as a launchpad for new tourism products, the place where big announcements are made and an indicator of key trends in the tourism industry, ITB Berlin welcomes some 110,000 members of the industry before the doors are thrown open to the public on March 12.
http://www.itb-berlin.com

Kyushu Shinkansen opens
March 12
Kyushu, Japan

Japan's fastest ever bullet train runs at speeds of over 300km/h between Fukuoka and Kagoshima on Kyushu island in southern Japan. The new line makes it possible to travel between the major cities of Osaka and Kagoshima in just four hours.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp

Space Tourism and Travel Summit
March 17
Sofia, Bulgaria

Believe it or not, this isn't a joke - as companies edge ever closer to the first space flights on board commercial ships, the industry will be discussing what the future holds at a conference in Bulgaria. The guest of honor is Story Musgrave, a former NASA astronaut.
http://www.ecommerceacademy.net/

Istanbul Shopping Festival
March 18 - April 26
Istanbul, Turkey

Turkish authorities hope to steal some of Dubai's limelight as an international shopping destination with the launch of this festival, which has been heavily promoted all over the world. Several of Istanbul's shopping areas will be open 24 hours a day throughout the duration, while cultural events will also be on offer to break up the shopping.
http://www.istanbulshoppingfest.org