Original subtitles

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- Our journey begins at Lake Neuchatel,

in the tranquil heart of Switzerland.

After visiting the town of Evian-les-Bains,

source of the famous water,

we continue to Geneva, city of peace,

and a center for international trade and diplomacy.

Glimpsing CERN, the world's leading scientific facility,

and the birthplace of the internet,

we continue on to find the extraordinary

Earth Pyramids of Euseigne, a remarkable geological feature,

left over from the last ice age.

Our journey then takes us onwards to Gstaad,

an exclusive resort town with a rich heritage.

Finally, we ascend one of Europe's greatest mountains

and most notorious climbs, The Eiger.

In the heart of Switzerland,

beneath the green Jura Mountains is Lake Neuchatel.

(gentle violin music)

This is a small country with a big reputation.

It's famous for many things.

Among them, timekeeping,

and the punctuality of its trains is legendary.

This is one of Europe's most advanced rail networks.

Here, the railway skirts the lake,

connecting the area's towns and villages,

including Grandson and its castle.

Built in the 11th century,

it's the site of a bloody battle,

when, in 1476, it was besieged by Charles the Bold.

The Swiss defenders sent for help,

but the rescuing army couldn't get close.

Instead, they signaled to say help was on its way.

But the castle defenders misunderstood

and thought it was an order to surrender.

When they came out, they were slaughtered

and hung from the surrounding trees.

Today, Grandson is a more peaceful place,

and one of the best preserved

medieval fortresses in Switzerland.

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And the castle is now home to a popular car museum,

with many vintage examples,

including Greta Garbo's Rolls-Royce.

In 1875, Lake Neuchatel was lowered to stop flooding,

and the reclaimed land now holds these railway lines.

Nearby, we find the extraordinary Chateau de Chambeau.

Set in idyllic Swiss countryside,

it was built in the 13th century by the Lords of Grandson.

Its design is known as a Savoy square.

Four walls surround a central courtyard,

cornered by round towers.

The largest of these is the castle keep.

We are lucky to get a glimpse of the Chateau,

as it remains in private hands and is closed to visitors.

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Nearby is the Municipality of Orbe,

where the coat of arms, two golden fish on a red shield,

still fly from its tower.

This was once a Roman town called Urba,

lying on the crossroads of two Roman roads.

It was subject to regular invasions

throughout the medieval period,

up to the French invasion at the end of the 18th century.

Orbe is also well known for its vineyards,

which mainly produce Schaffler, Gamay and Gamaret grapes.

16 stone cellars are open to visitors,

who can taste the Cotes de l'Orbe wines.

Our journey now takes us to the picturesque village

of Romainmotier.

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And, at its heart is its priory.

Built on the ruins of a fifth century monastery,

it was developed over the next thousand years

to become a sprawling medieval complex.

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Its abbey church, built in the 10th century

by Cluny monks, is amongst the oldest in Switzerland.

With its simple geometric design, the priory is considered

one of the country's most important pieces

of Romanesque architecture.

It houses a number of 14th century frescoes and a pulpit

that dates from the eighth century.

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The priory is used as a venue for live music,

and, on summer nights, murder mysteries,

when it becomes a setting for a bloody crime

for guests to solve.

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Nearby, on the shores of Lake Geneva,

facing the mountain of Mont Blanc and France,

we find the town of Morges.

It's well known for its annual tulip festival,

with over 150,000 on display.

The harbor of Morges was built in the 17th century

for trade and commerce,

and today is used for yachts and pleasure boats.

A regular sight on the lake, the largest in Western Europe,

are the many ferries that offer

a regular daily service all year round.

Thousands of people use them to commute to work.

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The first ferry starts at five in the morning,

with the last at 11 at night.

In summer months, they offer holidaymakers

a scenic trip across the lake

between Switzerland and France.

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Leaving Morges behind, we fly 14 kilometers

across the lake to France and find Evian-les-Bains,

home to the world famous mineral water.

Its reputation began when doctors

in the early 19th century began to prescribe the water

as a healthy remedy.

As a result, a new lakeside harbor was built.

The railway arrived, and a road linking the town

to Milan and Paris was constructed.

It was to become one of the most famous

health resorts in the world.

In 1859, the name was changed from Evian to Evian-les-Bains

to promote its rise as a spa town.

European royalty flocked to the resort to take the waters.

Even after the First World War,

the resort maintained its status as a playground

for the rich and famous.

And today, Evian is sold all over the world,

more than 100 billion liters each year.

We continue along the lake side to the town of

Thonon-les-Bains and its marina, Port Ripaille.

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A modern development in an ancient forest,

it was built in stages over 15 years.

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Today, it holds over 500 cottages and homes,

many with their own mooring for yachts.

Ahead of us at the eastern end of the lake is Geneva,

and the spectacular Jet d'Eau,

perhaps the city's most famous landmark.

It's over 140 meters tall,

spraying over 500 liters of water per second

at more than 200 kilometers per hour.

At any one time, seven tons of water is in the air.

The jet began in 1886, as a release valve

for the hydraulic water system

that drove Geneva's workshops.

Today, it's a spectacular site enjoyed by tourists

until the wind changes and they find themselves

unexpectedly soaked.

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Geneva was once the seat of the League of Nations,

and today, it's one of three headquarters

of the United Nations.

It's called the City of Peace.

Built on either side of the Rhone river,

Geneva has at its heart this small island

connected by the Pont de l'Ile.

This was once the crossroads of Europe

and a vital strategic position.

It was the only checkpoint on the route

linking northern and southern Europe.

The city remains a hub for governments, businesses

and international development.

Yet, despite its influence, Geneva is physically quite tiny,

and it's sometimes called the smallest of big cities.

(relaxed harp and piano music)

Perhaps because of this,

property here is famously expensive,

and its banks, jewelers, and luxury goods stores

cater to its wealthy clientele.

So it is perhaps unsurprising

to see this private jet heading to Geneva airport.

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Over 14 million passengers fly through here each year.

In 1946, the runway was extended into French territory,

and was swapped for Swiss territory of identical size.

Close by the airport

is the European Organization of Nuclear Research,

better known as CERN.

It's an example of international cooperation.

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The Institute's buildings span France and Switzerland,

and its scientists are the best in the world.

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Founded in 1954, CERN is now the Earth's most advanced

particle physics research center.

It's also the birthplace of the internet.

It was here that Britain's Tim Berners-Lee

invented the World Wide Web in 1989.

It was first developed to share information

between the scientists here

with universities around the world.

Today, as well as its cutting edge research,

the facility also runs tours for visitors.

Our journey now continues,

hugging the shore of Lake Geneva along Route One.

Despite its excellent rail links,

roads are an important part of the Swiss transport system.

While Switzerland is only 350 kilometers in length,

it's home to more than 1,700 kilometers of motorways.

The country exports an enormous amount of goods by road,

from chocolate to hi-tech machinery.

And as elsewhere, road accidents occur,

and this load of tires have failed to be exported.

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The number of serious highway incidents in Switzerland

has been going down even as the number of vehicles

on the road increases.

Much of this is due to safer cars.

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However, long traffic jams caused by accidents

are still an annoying fact of life.

But fortunately, not for us as we make our way

towards these vineyards.

Although highly regarded, Swiss wine isn't well known.

Nearly all the national production

is enjoyed within Swiss borders.

Only 2% is exported.

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Sitting amongst vineyards is Aubonne Castle.

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A national heritage site, it was built in 1680

by a Frenchman, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier.

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He was a merchant who traveled the world.

He built this famous tower, with its minaret,

as a souvenir of his travels in the east.

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Nearby, we find the magnificent Vufflens Castle.

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Built in the 15th century,

this is one of the most perfectly preserved in Switzerland.

It's made up of two distinct groups of buildings.

On one side, a tower rises nearly 60 meters high.

Beneath it is the guardhouse.

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Since the 17th century,

the castle has been the home of the Saussure family,

as well as the eight hectares of vineyards that surround it.

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The wine is aged in the castle cellars.

At any time, it holds up to 50,000 liters of wine

in its vaults.

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We're lucky to get this glimpse of Vufflens.

Today, the castle is closed to visitors.

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Our journey now continues to the south east,

crossing Lake Geneva.

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The lake is known in France as Lac Leman.

Here the River Rhone empties into its waters.

The muddy appearance is all a glacial silt

that has been swept downstream

from where the River Rhone begins in the mountains.

Our journey continues onwards and upwards,

moving higher into the mountains

and the clouded peaks of the Alps.

From the air, the views are simply breathtaking.

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The one thing to avoid when flying in the mountains

is to run low on fuel.

So down in the valley is the town of Sion

and an airport where we can take on a full tank.

In the winter, this is a popular base for heli skiers

who have flown up to the high mountain pistes.

Fully fueled, we go in search

of the remarkable Earth pyramids of Euseigne.

These protected monuments

are one of Switzerland's most important geological features.

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Up to 50 meters high, they are remnants

from the Ice Age left behind by retreating glaciers.

Our journey continues up the Rhone Valley

and in a deep gorge on the north side is a dramatic bridge,

the Pont de Niouc.

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Between 1922 and 1929, it was the highest bridge

in the world and originally built

to carry a water pipe across the valley.

Today it holds a new distinction

as the highest bungee jumping platform in Europe.

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The jump from this bridge is considered

one of the most beautiful in the world.

That is, if you can actually admire it

as you drop like a stone.

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For the 190 meter drop,

jumpers have to be in good physical shape,

and weigh between 40 and 110 kilograms.

Under 18s have to have written parental permission.

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We now head further into the Alpine heart of Switzerland.

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This is an area famous for its snow and skiing,

but it's as beautiful in the summer as the winter.

And here we find one of the great symbols of Switzerland,

cows grazing on a mountainside.

In this tiny country,

farmers must bring their cows up in summer

to these high pastures, known as alpage.

The grazing grounds can range in elevation

by as much as 2,000 meters in a single year.

Their movements up and down the mountains

is a highlight of the Swiss calendar.

Villagers, farmers, and even the cows

get dressed up for the occasion.

(cowbells tinkle)

These traditional bells help farmers find any strays

lost on the hillside,

and they are said to have supernatural powers,

keeping evil spirits away as the herd travel

high up the mountainside.

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Our journey now takes us over

one of the highest mountain passages in Switzerland,

the Sanetsch Pass.

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At over 2,200 meters above sea level,

it cannot be crossed by car.

And, as home to the Swiss open tennis tournament,

retains immaculate tennis courts.

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We now drop down to discover the resort town of Gstaad.

Since the 18th century,

the town has been an exclusive destination

for tourists and travelers.

Hotels like the five star Palace have hosted famous guests,

including Liz Taylor, Richard Burton, and Louis Armstrong.

Gstaad is known as one of Europe's

most luxurious ski resorts.

And, as home to the Swiss open tennis tournament,

retains immaculate tennis courts.

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Even at this high altitude,

villages have existed for centuries,

often built in seemingly precarious positions.

As we fly over the Bernese Alps,

the magnificent 3,970 meter high peak of the Eiger

can be seen in the distance.

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Perched atop a rocky outcrop

is the Birg ski lift and restaurant.

Cable cars run from the village of Murren below.

During the winter months, the cable cars carry skiers.

Today, in the summer, it brings mountain walkers

eager for refreshments and the chance to enjoy

the Birg's famous sun terrace

with panoramic views of the mountains.

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But, at 2,676 meters,

it isn't the area's highest restaurant.

This is, the Piz Gloria.

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The history of this restaurant is intertwined

with a connection to a certain British secret agent,

Bond, James Bond.

This was the location for the villain's mountain top lair

in the 1969 film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

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Today, the rotating restaurant

features a James Bond exhibition

of memorabilia and film clips.

From the terrace, visitors can get a dramatic view

of our final location on this journey,

the magnificent Eiger mountain.

(mountain wind whistles)

It's mentioned in records dating back to the 13th century.

But there's no clear indication

of how exactly the peak gained its name.

It's been linked to the Latin term acer,

meaning sharp or pointed,

but perhaps more commonly to the German eigen meaning own.

In any event, it's an awesome sight.

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And even more breathtaking is that inside the mountain,

is a working railway, the Jungfrau.

Built in 1912, it takes visitors

to the highest railway station in Europe.

Seven kilometers of tunnels run inside the mountain.

Revealed only by these windows

cut into either side of the mountain,

they give spectacular views from the two stations.

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The Eiger wasn't conquered by climbers until 1858,

and its famous north face was undefeated until 1938.

It's widely considered one of the most difficult

and deadly climbs in the world,

making this a challenging but spectacular climb

in a small, but extraordinary country.

A dramatic place to end this journey.

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