There are many good reasons to visit Ireland: beautiful nature, a rugged Atlantic coast, a wonderfully hospitable people with a passion for music, dance and Guinness... ...as well as charming towns and cities.

Time to kick off our tour of Ireland in Dublin with guide Tanya Jordan.

(Speaks Gaelic) ... That's Irish or Gaelic and means 100,000 welcomes to my Dublin.

Even though Dublin has 1.2 million inhabitants, it really feels like a large village.

Wherever you go, you get that sense of friendliness, meeting locals, having a chat.

This is typical Dublin pub culture here.

Everybody sitting outside enjoying themselves, having the craic as we call it in Irish.

Slainté!

I'm in the queue for the Long Room Library that must-see at Trinity College.

Here in the Long Room Library, you have books dating back well over a thousand years and right up to the 19th century.

It's a collection of over 250,000 books, all bound in leather, some written on calfskin.

And of course, we couldn't have a typical day in Dublin without ending it in a typical music pub.

Let's go.

[singing...] An Irish pub is much more than just a bar.

It's more like a living room.

Pull up a seat at the bar and become part of the community while you're there.

Did you know that Ireland has more sheep than inhabitants?

They thrive in the Irish countryside.

Irish people all over the world take pride in the country's lush greenery.

We recommend driving along the Wild Atlantic Way, a 2500 kilometer road along Irelands west coast.

Its rugged beauty, mighty ocean and warm people will steal your heart.

The Donegal coastline is considered particularly impressive.

We have loads of offers for tourists, for walkers, for cyclists.

For drivers, you have everything you could possibly wish for.

But unlike other places in the world - and in Ireland - you have it remotely.

Everything here is hidden.

You have so many hidden gems in Donegal that you will not find anywhere else.

Along the coastal route, you'll come across gems like Bundoran Beach.

The waves can reach impressive heights.

That's why Bundoran is one of the best surfing spots in Ireland.

Then there are the Cliffs of Slieve League.

With a height of some 600m, they are among Europe's tallest.

The views from up here are stunning!

The rugged, mystical landscape has inspired film directors.

Welcome to Westeros, the land of Game of Thrones.

In reality, it's Northern Ireland.

Large parts of the internationally acclaimed TV series were shot here.

A number of Northern Ireland's many castles and ruins served as settings for the series, such as the Tower House, of 15th century Audleys Castle.

It's where the character Robb first meets his love Talisa in season two.

Farther inland, you'll find the Dark Hedges avenue of beech trees.

The avenue appeared as the King's Road in season two.

Thats made it a popular tourist destination.

The headland of Fairhead became famous, too, known in the story as Dragonstone.

Let's follow the magnificent shoreline of Murlough Bay now.

In an hour and a halfs drive you're in another world.

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland and the site of violent conflicts for decades.

Here we meet up with local Chrissy Greenaway, who shows us her favorite places in town.

So when you come to Belfast, you'll always be reminded of our troubled past.

Beside me is one of the last remaining peace lines, peace lines that we once had all across Northern Ireland.

It used to separate the Protestant from the Catholic community, but nowadays it's really become a remnant and a symbol of what used to be.

As you can see, we have a lot of artwork now.

The Arts Council has organized projects for both the communities where they come together and just participate in mutual projects.

The Titanic Quarter is a must see.

Belfast is where the famous Titanic ship was built before it hit an iceberg and sank in 1912.

The story is told here in the renovated shipyard.

So we're looking at the first class.

Its the first time that we had a sort of a luxurious hotel on board of a ship.

There's also another lively Irish tradition you can't miss when you're here.

Can you guess which?

Well, you can't come to Belfast without experiencing a Trad session in one of our many traditional music bars.

So let's head in!

[ Traditional Irish music playing ] Hi everybody, I am Theodora Mavropoulos and today I show you five things you can do on Madeira.

Madeira is a Portuguese island in the Atlantic Ocean.

Because of its breathtaking nature, it's also called the Hawaii of Europe.

The island has stunning cliffs, beautiful forests, lot of flowers and waterfalls.

And here comes my first tip visit the cliff called Cabo Girau.

From here you have a stunning view all over the south coast of Madeira and over its capital, Funchal.

I am standing 580m high.

Getting a bit dizzy here.

This is the highest seacliff in Europe.

It takes about 20 minutes by car to go from the platform to Funchal, but there are also bus services.

Madeira is actually a big rock, so when you're driving here, don't expect too many straight lines.

In the morning before the shops open, Funchals old town is an open air art gallery.

I'm actually not so much of a morning person, but this is definitely worth it.

So here comes my second tip: Visit Rua de Santa Maria in the old town of Funchal before the restaurants open.

It was a normal old street in an area that was not considered one of Funchals best.

The Painted Door Project wanted to bring it back to life.

You can now find about 200 painted doors in the Rua and the surrounding streets.

Many new restaurants have opened since and art galleries have made this area their base.

Besides the painted doors, they are also fantastic murals around the city.

After my culture tour, it's time for a small break.

Madeira has a lot of choices, especially for those who love sweets.

One of the oldest recipes of the island is the famous cake Bolo de Mel.

Initially it was made during Christmas time, but it's too good to eat it only once a year.

So here comes my tip number three: Try the bolo de mel.

You can find it in almost every bakery shop around Madeira.

So actually you break it in the middle.

So let's try it.

Taste very Christmasy.

A bit like gingerbread.

It's really good.

Madeira's geographical position, closer to Africa than to Portugal gives it a very mild climate.

The result is a variety of landscapes.

The island is also called the Green Pearl of the Atlantic and it's a hikers paradise.

There are beautiful hiking trails all over the island.

Do you want to feel like walking into a fairy tale?

Here comes tip number four: Take a walk into the Laurisilva Forest.

It's just magical.

The ground is totally soft here and the air is super fresh, but it's quite cold as you can see.

So please don't forget to take a warm jacket with you.

It is the largest surviving Laurel tree forest in the world.

It dates back to prehistoric times.

It is so historically important that it has been declared an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

You want another taste of Paradise?

Madeira has many waterfalls that you can visit.

Want to see the most fun one?

So here's tip number five: Check out the Cascata dos Anjos close to Ponta do Sol.

People even use it for a free car wash.

So let's try that.

Madiera is a rare gem in the Atlantic Ocean.

It combines paradise like scenery with activities, flavors, and culture.

[whistling] Sounds like these can often be heard on the mountains of La Gomera.

But the islanders aren't just whistling for fun, they are communicating with one another across great distances.

[whistling] What?

To be honest, I haven't understood anything, but that makes me sort of curious because that's the way how people can communicate over here.

Unbelievable, I think, but a good reason to listen a little bit closer.

I set out with Eugenio Darias to discover the secret of the ‘Silbo Gomera, the whistled language of the volcanic island.

La Gomera is the second smallest of Spain's Canary Islands, an archipelago in the Atlantic, some 1500 kilometers from the Spanish mainland.

The island is thinly populated with a scattering of little mountain villages.

An estimated 20,000 people know the whistled language.

The unusual way of communicating originated in these mountains, which are up to 1500m high.

Eugenio Darias herded his grandfather's goats in this valley La Gomeras whistled language was invented because of the island's geography.

It's hard to reach and has many gorges.

Silbo made it easier for us to work with the livestock.

We didn't have to walk up and down the mountains to talk to each other anymore.

We could just do it by whistling from on high.

Silbo masters like Eugenio Darias can make themselves understood at distances up to three kilometers.

The tradition dates back of years, but the advent of mobile phones eliminated the need for this form of communication, and the whistled language seemed doomed to extinction.

Yet today, young people have rediscovered it for themselves.

Silbo Gomero means a lot to me because it's part of our heritage and culture, and it remains an active part of our lives to this day.

I learned to whistle when I was six years old.

I grew up whistling.

Wherever I go, whistling is a part of me.

You could say it flows in my veins.

It's very important to me.

It's my turn to try.

Sadly, I fail utterly.

So I set off in search of a teacher in San Sebastián de La Gomera, the capital of the island with a population of just over 9000.

But I don't have much time to take in the sights.

I have to get to school!

The special thing about Silbo Gomero is that it is even taught as a compulsory subject in schools here.

That's unique in Europe.

And my chance.

So I'm back in the classroom.

My one on one lessons begin with a greeting.

[whistling a greeting] Good day.

I'm Kico Correa and we're on La Gomera.

[giving instructions on how to whistle] Silbo Gomero in its present form is based on the Spanish language, the sounds of which are condensed into a few whistled notes two for vowels and four notes for consonants.

Context helps clear up any misunderstandings.

Everything you'd like to say with speech, you can also say by whistling.

For example, my name: Francisco.

I can either say Francisco or whistle it.

[whistling ‘Francisco] In 2009, UNESCO declared ‘Silbo Gomera an intangible world heritage.

A sculpture commemorates this centuries old tradition and inspires me to give it one more try.

[trying to whistle] Okay, it's much more difficult than I expected to communicate only by whistling.

But it's very fascinating to listen to this old tradition.

At least as fascinating as the landscape in which Silbo Gomera was born.

I'm Hendrik Welling and today I'm going to show you how to spend the perfect day on the Azores.

It's a paradise that's been shaped by volcanoes.

The Azores are a Portuguese archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic, some 1500 kilometers from the mainland.

On the main island of São Miguel.

André Gouveia shows me the best way to experience the island's natural beauty on foot.

First, we make our way through what looks like an enchanted forest.

A few steps further on, we are on the edge of a volcanic crater.

Ahead of us lies the caldera Sete Cidades, which means seven cities.

Welcome, Hendrik, welcome.

Whoa!

Enjoy the view.

It's nice.

The huge caldera boasts two different-colored, shimmering lakes.

You get a great view of them on many of the islands dozens of hiking trails.

I really like the hikes when they are challenging.

And here, since there's a lot of mountains in one single hike, you can do a bit of everything.

Up the hill, flat, down the hill, slippery.

You can... you can hike across the forest and a few minutes later you're already outside on the field like this.

So hike's are very I would say, in my opinion, they're very complete.

There's a bit of everything.

The Azores are also a whale and dolphin watchers paradise.

The various ocean currents around the island make these waters a playground for them.

I've joined marine biologist Maria Inês Pavão.

En route, she tells me more about the whales.

Scouts on land let the boats know when a whales been sighted.

They are starting their migration north to feeding grounds, where it's a lot... a lot of food available.

And here it is always.

We are one of the first stops or the first places where they can find a bit of food, because they spend our winter having their babies and almost not feeding at all.

So here we are, a nice coffee break.

That's what it is.

But before we actually get to see any whales, we spot dolphins.

First one - and then... a whole school.

But then... the moment arrives.

There!

It's a huge sperm whale, about 16m long.

The whale disappears - in search of food.

And I continue my journey around São Miguel.

The Caldeira Velha park stretches along a volcano.

It's hot springs give off the smell of sulfur.

Ouch!

Its hot!

The island's volcanic origin can be seen everywhere on São Miguel.

But it's especially evident in the village of Furnas.

Located inside the volcanic crater, its famous for its 22 hot springs.

I test the waters at Punta de Ferraria, where hot spring water mixes with the cool currents of the Atlantic.

Oh, it's really hot.

The bay is the perfect spot to wind down in a natural thermal baths.

That was just a fantastic day here on the Azores.

I never thought that I could experience so much nature in only one day.

And the variety of the nature was just mind blowing.

Hydra is one of the most cosmopolitan Greek islands, and yet it is just 25mi long and has only 2000 inhabitants.

Located in the heart of the Argo Saronic Gulf, Hydra's main industry is tourism.

In addition to many international visitors, the island is also a favorite day trip destination for many Athenians.

It's only a two hour sail from Athens.

Arriving on Hydra Island is like time travel because there are no cars here.

So first I have to find a donkey or a mule to get my stuff to the hotel.

Cars used by the municipality are the only motor vehicles on this island, as the other private cars and motorcycles are banned by law.

Horses, mules, donkeys and water taxis provide public transportation.

This is actually my small taxi to the Hotel.

[Speaking Greek] Whats her name?

[Speaking Greek] Selini.

Selini.

This is Selini.

Don't expect much action on this island.

Here, you won't find extreme sports or a party scene.

Okay, so now that I'm settled in, this is my first tip for you: Get lost in Hydras town.

During the afternoon, most of the people have a nap.

So the streets are empty and the town is yours.

The entire island enjoys protected status.

The best example of Hydra's architecture are its mansions.

Some of them are located right on the seafront.

The architecture reveals how wealthy, modern and influential the island was during the late 18th century.

Walking around the town and you'll discover the elegant, traditional buildings that have been lovingly preserved by the locals.

Don't forget to check out the old pharmacy from 1890 on the main square.

It's one of Hydra's most photographed buildings.

Hydra is also known as an island of artists.

In the 60s, many called Hydra their second home.

Henry Miller wrote on Hydra, Sophia Loren, Richard Burton and Jackie Onassis were all visitors in the 60s, and 70s.

Singer Leonard Cohen even bought a house here.

This street is named after him.

Photos of the island are bound to include the well-looked after cats.

Hundreds of them live wild here.

And here comes my second tip: Don't skip the local art galleries.

I recommend the old slaughterhouse converted into an art gallery in 2009.

It's only a ten minute walk from the main port.

Hydra town has no real beaches, but there are stone sunbathing platforms all around the port you can jump from into the crystal clear waters or use the steps into the sea.

The fastest way to reach Hydras beaches is on the waterway.

So my tip number three for you: Take a boat to a beach.

There are several services that run like buses.

There are plenty of small bays, most of them pebbles, so no sand your shoes.

One of the famous ones is Vlychos beach.

It's a five minutes boat ride away from the port of Hydra.

The whole island is quite rocky.

There are plenty of trekking routes that you can explore.

Safely first!

You can use your two legs.

I personally prefer four.

So my tip number four for you: Take a horse ride up to the mountains.

It's wonderful!

Look at that amazing view.

And the air is filled with the scent of wild herbs.

To get your sweet-tooth fix, try Hydras Amygdalota.

So my tip number five: Try the Amygdalota in the oldest sweet shop of the town.

Opened in 1930, It never changed hands.

Right Dimitris?

The recipe dates back from 1930, hasn't been changed at all.

It started with my great-grandfather and remains the exact same recipe: almond, rosewater, sugar powder and a little semolina.

Then my grandmother, Anna Tsangaris took over.

Then it passed to my father and then to me.

So I'm the fourth generation.

Okay, so let's try it.

It's very sweet, really nice.

It tastes a bit like marzipan.

You should try it.

It's very recommended.

Hydra - the tiny island with its cosmopolitan flair, links the present with the past and lets you slow down completely.