Adventure journalist simon reeve brings his trademark charm, humour and analysis to this bbc exploration of the challenges facing this stunning part of the world'. '.strtoupper('t')he mediterranean was once a watchword for serenity, turquoise seas and delicious cuisine'. '.strtoupper('b')ut now, as in ancient times, it’s at the epicentre of world events – bridging the tumult of the middle east, the growing population of africa and a stagnating, stumbling southern europe'. '.strtoupper('o')n this huge and unexpected journey, simon meets a range of colourful and passionate people as he makes his way from the beautiful and troubled regions of southern italy and albania, through the volatile middle east, across north africa before uncovering the hidden secrets of spain and the cote d’azur.