All language subtitles for The.World.From.Above.S07E11.1080p.AMZN.WEB-DL.DDP2.0.H.264-AlfaHD_track3_[eng]

(upbeat orchestral music)

(strident piano and string music)

(gentle xylophone music)

- 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.

(gentle piano and string music)

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.

(mellow string and piano music)

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.

(wistful string music)

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.

(wistful string music)

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.

(wistful string music)

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.

(wistful string music)

(jaunty string music)

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.

(jaunty piano and string music)

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.

(jaunty string and piano music)

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.

(relaxed piano and guitar music)

A modern development in an ancient forest,

it was built in stages over 15 years.

(relaxed guitar and piano music)

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.

(relaxed harp and piano music)

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.

(soft piano music)

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.

(quiet mysterious piano music)

The Institute's buildings
span France and Switzerland,

and its scientists are
the best in the world.

(mysterious piano music)

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.

(relaxing orchestral music)

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.

(relaxing orchestral music)

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.

(gentle piano music)

Sitting amongst vineyards
is Aubonne Castle.

(gentle but bright piano music)

A national heritage site,
it was built in 1680

by a Frenchman, Jean-Baptiste Tavernier.

(gentle orchestral music)

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.

(relaxing orchestral music)

Nearby, we find the
magnificent Vufflens Castle.

(bright flute-led orchestral music)

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.

(strident orchestral music)

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.

(bright orchestral music)

The wine is aged in the castle cellars.

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

in its vaults.

(bright orchestral music)

We're lucky to get this
glimpse of Vufflens.

Today, the castle is closed to visitors.

(bright orchestral music)

(quiet string music)

Our journey now continues
to the south east,

crossing Lake Geneva.

(quiet orchestral music)

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.

(stirring string music)

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.

(quiet orchestral music)

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.

(ethereal orchestral music)

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.

(ethereal electronic music)

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.

(ethereal electronic music)

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.

(jaunty piano and guitar music)

We now head further into the
Alpine heart of Switzerland.

(bright guitar and piano music)

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.

(bright guitar music)

Our journey now takes us over

one of the highest mountain
passages in Switzerland,

the Sanetsch Pass.

(bright mandolin and piano music)

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.

(bright mandolin and piano music)

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.

(gentle guitar music)

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.

(gentle string music)

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.

(gentle string and piano music)

But, at 2,676 meters,

it isn't the area's highest restaurant.

This is, the Piz Gloria.

(gentle string and piano music)

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.

(gentle string and piano music)

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.

(gentle string music)

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.

(gentle string and harp music)

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.

(gentle string music)

(energetic orchestral music)