The Alps drop steeply into the sea – a bizarre but dreamlike landscape, olive groves, mountain and fishing villages. That is Liguria. Further south, in Tuscany, it becomes softer and more lovely. In Campania it’s bubbling under the earth, around Mount Vesuvius there are ancient sites and fertile cultivation areas. And so it goes on: Italy’s coastline is more varied than almost any other stretch of land in Europe. The 8000 kilometres of boot-shaped coastline not only offer beautiful beaches and ideal water sports opportunities, its often untouched nature is also an inexhaustible source of inspiration. Picturesque villages and sophisticated towns invite you to stroll around. “Il Bel Paese”.

ARTE travels once around the boot in five parts of 43 minutes each. The films show parts of the Italian coast from a completely new perspective and both well-known and less well-known regions with the people who shape them.

On five stretches of Italy’s coast we get to know people who have a special relationship to their region. They all love their land, their traditions and their work. We meet enthusiasts and life artists who allow us a glimpse into their everyday lives. Young Italians who are rediscovering nature and its treasures. Others who preserve the beauty, archaeologists who use completely new methods, farmers who plant only what the soil cries out for. Fishermen who fish as they did 100 years ago and tough guys who play tarantella. Dolphins, large sea turtles and pink flamingos being explored, nurtured or just observed. Cave explorers, sail makers and coffee specialists are also there.

The drone camera also offers spectacular images from completely new angles, hovering over the scenery. This gives us landscape overviews and detailed insights that we haven’t seen before. In five episodes we discover the most beautiful coasts of Italy.

Sunday, 11.12. at 13:00 – The Ligurian Coast

Sunday, 11.12. at 13:43 – The Coast of Tuscany

Sunday, 11.12. at 14:26 – The Coast of Campania

Sunday, 11.12. at 15:09 – The coast of Apulia

Sunday, 11.12. at 15:52 – The coast from Venice to Trieste