Great Continental Railway Journeys
Guided by his historical Bradshaw's Continental Handbook, Michael Portillo explores Europe and beyond by train. At each destination, he delves into local culture and history, and shares what travellers in the early 20th century might have experienced.
Guided by his historical Bradshaw's Continental Handbook, Michael Portillo explores Europe and beyond by train. At each destination, he delves into local culture and history, and shares what travellers in the early 20th century might have experienced.
Michael Portillo follows in the footsteps of British tourists coming to Spain in Edward VII's day, starting in Madrid...
Michael explores Milan's long-standing history as a fashion centre, takes in romantic Lake Como, and experiences why...
Michael travels the lesser-known northern railways of Germany, experiencing the rich musical, cultural and spiritual...
Michael follows royal footsteps in Denmark and Norway, then samples the delights of smorgasbord, sauna and sausage in...
Michael explores the stunning art nouveau architecture of Prague, samples the sulphurous waters in the spa town of...
Travelling from Bordeaux to Bilboa, Michael learns about Edwardian-era political dealings, royal assignations and...
Michael journeys through the vast country of Russia, from the golden onion domes of Tula, to Tolstoy's country estate...
Michael pays homage to the Romantic poets at Rome's Spanish Steps before boarding the train south to experience the...
Michael journeys deep into central Europe to explore a country where east meets west: Poland.
Michael explores the Celtic roots of Galicia and meets walkers on the pilgrim's trail to Santiago de Compostela before...
Michael ventures beyond Europe to the Holy Land, visiting religious and cultural sites, and learning about the roots of...
Michael journeys from the heart of France to the Mediterranean coast, sampling culinary delights and artistic...
Michael follows the route of the historic Orient Express, travelling through the rose fields of Bulgaria and discovering...
Michael travels the Habsburg Imperial line from Vienna across the awe-inspiring Semmering Pass, a handmade railway line...
Michael makes a Grand Tour of Italy - a favourite Edwardian destination - where he experiences the nation's "need for...
Michael embarks on a Greek odyssey, exploring the Acropolis and the ruins at Delphi, and delighting in the tastes of...
Michael ventures deep into the Black Forest on a quest to discover the essence of Germany, from cuckoo clocks and...
Michael traces the early 20th-century roots of the Spanish Civil War, which divided his Spanish family and sent his...
Michael ventures east through Romania, encountering a bloodsucking vampire in Transylvania, striking oil in Ploiesti and...
Travelling from the Swiss Alps to Lake Geneva, Michael is rescued from an "avalanche" by a St. Bernard puppy, takes to...
Michael takes in the sights, smells and tastes of North Africa, experiencing the glorious Hassan II Mosque, exploring...
Michael embarks on an action-packed adventure from the Italian Riviera to the Austrian Alps, discovering how the...
Michael ventures to the northern reaches of Europe, where he braves the freezing Baltic Sea and finds peace paddling a...
Michael heads for the Netherlands, where he roots around the world's largest flower auction, operates a crane in Europe...
Michael's emotional rail journey through Spain takes him deep into his family's past and reveals the tentacles of the...
Michael travels from the chateaux of the Loire Valley to the heart of the Champagne region at Reims.
Michael's 1936-era handbook gives him a unique window on a tumultuous period in German history as he travels through the...
On the "treasure island" of Sicily, Michael explores life under the dictatorship of Mussolini.
Michael's journey through Austria and the Czech Republic takes him through spectacular scenery and a dark era in...
Michael embarks on a scenic thousand-mile rail journey from Stockholm to Abisko in the northern reaches of the Arctic...
Michael hunts for truffles, visits Tito's summer residence and discovers the history of a bizarre military coup on his...
Michael samples maraschino cherry liqueur and visits a renowned tailor to try on a traditional Dalmation suit. In...
Michael visits the Mostar Rock School and the magnificent walled city of Dubrovnik before heading north for a...
Michael admires Oslo's modernist architecture, enjoys a heritage rail ride in Rjukan and visits the historic Skagen...
Michael’s Scandinavian rail adventure transports him to the time of Hans Christian Andersen before visiting Kronborg...
Michael is transported back to the time of Heidi in a tiny Alpine village. He then visits the “Swiss Grand Canyon” and...
Michael has a brush with the absurd in the paintings of the Dadaists, visits the impressive Grossmünster church and...
Michael wends his way to the Swiss Riviera on the Golden Pass Express before heading to France's beautiful historic...
Michael attempts to keep up with a Breton dance troupe and traces the voyage of 16th-century explorer Jacques Cartier...
Michael admires the Bayeux Tapestry before heading to the Normandy coastline, where he reflects on the D-Day landings of...