The southern edge of the Alps: mighty mountains, formed by the collision of continents and shaped by the eroding forces of the elements. Wind, water, and ice carved the landscape during the last Ice Age, leaving behind shimmering blue jewels. The Northern Italian Lakes lie at the crossroads between the rugged Alpine world and Mediterranean charm.

As diverse as the landscape is, so too is its wildlife: wolves and brown bears roam here, alongside ibex and wild boar, asp vipers and pond turtles, golden pheasants and ptarmigans – to name just a few.

The cultural landscape is equally unique: magnificent villas and elegant lakeside promenades, exotic gardens with cypress and orange trees, olive groves, biodiverse vineyards, marshy meadows, and sparse alpine pastures.

For centuries, this region has drawn people in – places of longing not just for millions of tourists. Artists, the wealthy, and intellectuals have long found – and continue to find – a rare harmony of nature and culture here.

All of this is what gives the Northern Italian Lakes their special allure – the jewels of the Southern Alps. This series aims to portray them in all their wildness, sophistication, and splendor – and thus, in all their contradictions.

For the episodes Lake Como and Lake Lugano by Mi-Yong Brehm, and Lake Garda by Daniela Pulverer.