They are refuges for animals and humans, have aesthetic value and are the source of numerous myths and legends: Europe’s great lakes. From Finland to the Anatolia, we learn more about the special features of European lakes and their importance for the ecosystem. Many of these habitats are at risk. What strategies are there to preserve these bodies of water?
In 1693, a huge earthquake destroyed the city of Noto in south-eastern Sicily. The decades that followed saw the emergence on a new site of a unique Baroque city influenced by styles from all over Europe. Five citizens of Noto introduce us to the city’s artistic and cultural treasures and take us to the origins of the “barocco siciliano”.
A gripping road movie that follows two free spirits on a daredevil journey as they explore monumental landscapes on their motorcycles, discover the magic of foreign cultures, and laugh in the face of the toughest of trials. In six months they cover 28,000 kilometres, from Germany to Goa in India.
A land where primeval forests meet mountain deserts, with both tropical regions and icy peaks. One of the poorest countries in the world and yet a magical, mystical place, realm of the gods and a spiritual paradise. A journey to discover Nepal’s natural beauty and the people who make their lives in this harsh and remote setting.
Italy is one of Europe’s most attractive and popular travel destinations. And yet some regions are still largely undiscovered − especially away from the mainland. Flora and fauna make each of the country’s 200+ islands quite unique. We explore some of the most beautiful: the Tremiti Islands, Sicily and the Aeolian Islands.
The unique eco-system along the shores of the Paraná River in South America is under threat. We travel to South America and meet people who are fighting for their future and the conservation of the Paraná region.
We travel to King George Island, the gateway to Antarctica, where five different nations operate research stations located in the most extraordinary of environments. The researchers’ work and visits have to be planned with the utmost care because mistakes can cost lives. And only together can they survive such hostile conditions.
Of Polynesia’s once sacred sites, the stone temples, or marae, all that is left today are ruins, often buried under layers of vegetation and long since forgotten. The marae Taputapuatea in French Polynesia was recently declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We explore the secrets of the marae and their significance for Polynesian culture.
Once the destination of explorers heading west in search of gold, California – like no other US state – has become a magnet for people hoping to make their dreams come true. On our journey through the Sunshine State, we meet free spirits, inventors and visionaries. A diverse region with unusual inhabitants.
How does good architecture impact our cities and our lives and what solutions do modern architects have for the urban problems of today? We visit the most fascinating buildings in nine European megacities and meet visionary planners who offer us answers to these questions.
In Costa Rica locals greet each other by saying “pura vida” – pure zest for life. This sums the country up. A lush natural environment, the best coffee and a “rich coast” on two oceans. We present fascinating landscapes in impressive aerial shots and on the ground people and their stories that allow us an insight into everyday life in Costa Rica.
A small country and a big canal and a cosmos brimming with surprises – that’s Panama. Panamanians are among the world’s happiest people and among the longest living. What is their secret? We take you on a journey into the fascinating country caught between the Atlantic and the Pacific.
