This time adventurer Richard Bangs’ voyage takes him up one of the world’s great rivers—the Rhone—a waterway that spills from the roof of the European continent, bringing health, wealth, pleasure and inspiration. A vital source of life, it’s a river that lights cities, powers the world’s best rail systems, and slakes the thirst of millions.
In Quest for the Water Castle, Richard explores the Geneva and Matterhorn Region of Switzerland to find out what bounty the Rhone has bestowed to the country and to the world. He seeks to learn how the river has been harnessed, explored and celebrated.
Details
LENGTH: 1 x 60 Minutes
FORMAT: Special (part of a series)
CAMERA: HD
INTERNATIONAL TRACK: Yes
TEXTLESS: Yes
CLOSED CAPTIONS: No
ASPECT RATIO: 16:9
PRODUCTION YEAR: 2011
RELEASE YEAR: 2012
SUPPLIER: Small World Productions
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
RIGHTS TERRITORY: Worldwide exclusive of USA
According to Bangs, water is over-tapped and under-tended in many places around the world but not in Switzerland. How has this alpine haven—Europe’s water castle—resisted temptation to bleed its most precious resource? Six percent of the continent’s fresh reserves of water are found in the mountain refuges of Switzerland. Bangs is off to find how the Swiss became such bold curators of water resources and to catch what lessons they’ve learned.
Richard’s journey begins in multicultural, affluent and hardworking Geneva, a financial powerhouse and home to the UN European Headquarters, The Red Cross and the World Health Organization. His trip takes him along the shores of the lake to the towns of Nyon, Lausanne, and Vevey.
After a stop at well-preserved Chateau Chillon, built in the 12th century near the end of the lake to control traffic along the Rhone, Richard climbs through the great Rhone Valley high to the wellspring of the river in the pristine peaks of the Uri Alps. His destinations include: the Valais—French for ‘the valley’; the spa town of Leukerbad and its towering peaks; Zermatt and the Matterhorn; Fiesch and nearby mountain villages; and finally to the Aletsch Glacier.
Reviews
2012 Bronze Telly Travel & Tourism
