Bettany Hughes visits the ancient Roman ports of Oricum and Apollonia before traveling to the mountains bordering North Macedonia. She joins a team of archaeologists who uncover treasures beneath the waters of Lake Ohrid. Her journey continues to the Ottoman city of Berat, where she explores a diverse history of honor and religious tolerance. Finally she goes into the medieval world of Albania's castles.

Bettany Hughes travels to Estonia. On board a ferry, Bettany travels to Saaremaa - Estonia's "Viking Island" - and discovers a sacred burial site with traces of human sacrifice. Back in Tallinn, she explores the history of a huge medieval shipwreck and visits the Niguliste Church Museum. To the west, Bettany explores the island of Kihnu, considered the last matriarchy in Europe.

In Georgia, Bettany explores the mythical quest of Jason and the Argonauts, and learns the story of Tamar: the queen who became a king.

In this episode, Bettany Hughes travels to Bulgaria. In Varna on the Black Sea she sees a 6,000-year-old gold treasure and presents the life of people in one of Europe's earliest civilizations. In the Valley of the Thracian Kings, she marvels at exceptionally lively paintings in a 2,300-year-old tomb. She also witnesses a fire ritual in the village of Kosti and sees how the Pomaks paint their brides.

In this episode, Bettany Hughes travels the legendary Silk Road in Azerbaijan. Your adventure begins in Khinalig, the highest and most beautiful mountain village in the Greater Caucasus, where an archaeologist has discovered evidence of Roman presence. In the capital she explores the legacy of the greatest Persian poet. Your journey ends in Nakhchivan. Archaeologists have found Bronze Age warrior graves on a hill there.

From Albania to Turkey and Greece, Bettany encounters the earliest evidence of human government, the birthplace of Alexander the Great, and the pirate queen who took on the Roman Empire.