Hidden Beauty of Spain

Rough rocks, salt lagoons and fine sandy beaches - Spain's east coast is diverse. The Costa Brava in the far north is fascinating. In Portlligat, the fishermen work with a team of young marine biologists. They rescue soft corals from the fishing nets. The backcountry also has a lot to offer. Wine has thrived on the steep slopes of Priorat for centuries. Further south, the village of Chulilla with its spectacular gorge is a meeting place for climbers from all over the world. The journey continues to the Costa Blanca - the light sandy beaches give this Mediterranean coastline its name.

The journey begins in the "Parque Nacional de Doñana". The Unesco World Heritage Site is located on the "Costa de la Luz" and is one of the most diverse wetlands in Europe as well as home to the Marismeño horses. At the annual "Saca de las Yeguas", more than 1,200 animals are rounded up and brought to the horse market in Almonte to be sold. The tour continues to Tarifa, where fishermen fight for sustainable tuna fishing. Past the crystal clear beaches of the Mediterranean, the route leads to the desert of Tabernas. The episode ends at the "Parque Natural del Cabo de Gata-Níjar" in eastern Spain - with its impressive coastline, characterised by steep slopes, small bays and beaches.

The route leads from San Sebastian in the Basque Country to the unique wooden terraces of the Añana salt flats. Particularly pure salt has been harvested here for thousands of years. The landscape of northern Spain is characterised by the enormous rock massifs of the Cantabrian mountains. In recent years, brown bears have returned to the forests of Asturias. Near the city of León, the Romans used to mine gold and left behind a spectacular red landscape. The journey continues to Santiago de Compostela, the place of longing for pilgrims from all over the world. The episode ends at the wild Atlantic coast and the fishing grounds of the gooseneck barnacle fishermen.

The journey leads into the heart of Spain: Extremadura stretches between the Portuguese border and the capital Madrid. Castile-La Mancha borders on it. The journey begins in the Monfragüe National Park: the park rangers are on a delicate mission: they have to save the nests of the black storks. The scarcely populated Extremadura offers a spectacular starry sky. In the observatory "Entre encinas y estrellas" we take a look at the stars. In the legendary La Mancha, home of the fictional character Don Quixote, the population lives mainly from cattle breeding and agriculture. The most expensive spice in the world is also grown here: saffron!