Beaches of Europe

Nature & Wildlife 6 x 52' 2024 HD

Summer, sunshine and the sound of the sea – for many people, beaches are the epitome of the perfect holiday paradise. But they’re far more than that: they are natural habitats and no two of them are exactly alike.

All around the European continent, geological, meteorological and biological forces have created very different natural conditions: black or white sand, rugged or idyllic surroundings – nature offers a wide spectrum. The fauna and flora on land and underwater are correspondingly diverse. And last but not least, it is human beings with their culture and creative urge that make every beach different and special.

The ‘Beaches of Europe’ series presents six different beaches: we accompany researchers on the island of Spiekeroog as they demonstrate impressively how islands are formed, follow divers in Italy who explore the archaeological treasures of the sunken city of Baia, discover the special features of winter on the Curonian Spit in Lithuania, fly with paragliders above Europe’s highest dune in France, find out what a volcano has to do with a black beach on Santorini and learn why there is no longer as much sand by the sea on Sardinia as most people might think. 

The films also show the dark side of these supposedly paradisiacal holiday spots, such as rubbish, erosion and sand theft. And in many places the question arises: can these beaches still be saved? In each episode, we also meet those people who are trying in various ways to protect and preserve their beach habitat.

Episodes:

Spiekeroog
The Curonian Spit
Santorini
Sardinia
Pozzuoli
The Dune of Pilat