GLOBE TREKKER

Globe Trekker: Midwest USA

Presenter: Justine Shapiro

Traveller Justine Shapiro takes an exhilarating journey around the heartland of the United States, from skyscrapers, hip hop and gangsters in the city to breathtaking scenery, old traditions and adventure in the countryside.

Justine begins in Chicago, the home of the very first skyscraper. She finds an inventive mode of transport to take her to some of the city's most impressive architecture - the zippy Segue scooter!

After a hearty Chicago speciality - a towering Italian beef sandwich - Justine hooks up with the 'Untouchables' tour to learn more about one of Chicago's shady characters from the past, gangster Al Capone, and visits the site of the Valentine's Day Massacre.

Justine Shapiro at Sears Tower Segway, Chicago

Justine at the tramcar cafe on Route 66

Justine heads out of town on one of America's most iconic freeways - Route 66 - in a stylish convertible. She stops off at Springfield, Illinois, for a meeting with another American icon from history, Abraham Lincoln!

Next stop for Justine is Berlin - a town in the Ohio countryside, home to members of the Amish community. These religious people aim to keep their lives devout and simple and so shun modern conveniences, such as cars and electricity. Justine spends time with a family to learn more about their beliefs.

Justine takes a short flight to Detroit, where Motown music originated. Justine gets down to a different beat with some of the city's youth, however - hip hop. The city also contains the Henry Ford Museum and Justine takes a look at the history of the automobile and takes a ride in an early Ford model.

Justine draws her journey to a close by enjoying the great outdoors - she heads for the shores of Lake Superior in Wisconsin. The world's largest lake, it contains ten percent of the earth's freshwater. After a rigorous swim, kayak and trek, Justine enjoys the day's catch around the campfire. In her final destination, Deer River, Justine meets up with some living historians to experience what it would have been like for the first travellers from Europe settling by the Great Lakes, and takes time to reflect on her diverse adventures in the Midwest.