Great Continental Railway Journeys

In this episode, Michael Portillo retraces the historic Habsburg imperial route, beginning his journey in Vienna. He then heads south, crossing the famed Semmering Pass – a railway line that was blasted straight through the Alpine terrain. The line, celebrated for its engineering achievement, carries him over rugged mountain scenery before he continues onward toward the Adriatic seaport of Trieste. Throughout the travel, Portillo follows the same corridor once used by the empire, linking the imperial capital with its maritime outlet. The route threads through the Alpine landscape, illustrating the challenges overcome to link the capital with its port. By following this path, the programme highlights the historic link between the imperial centre and its maritime outlet.

Michael Portillo heads to Italy and jumps into a Maserati sports car, getting a first‑hand feel for the country’s love of speed. Behind the wheel he experiences the thrill that Italians associate with fast, sleek engineering, giving him a direct taste of that “need for speed” the nation prides itself on. In the same episode he turns his attention to the leaning tower of Pisa, uncovering the steps that saved it from an imminent collapse. By exploring the engineering fixes and restoration work, Portillo shows how the iconic structure was stabilised and kept upright for future generations.

Michael Portillo heads to Italy and jumps into a Maserati sports car, getting a first‑hand feel for the country’s love of speed. Behind the wheel he experiences the thrill that Italians associate with fast, sleek engineering, giving him a direct taste of that “need for speed” the nation prides itself on. In the same episode he turns his attention to the leaning tower of Pisa, uncovering the steps that saved it from an imminent collapse. By exploring the engineering fixes and restoration work, Portillo shows how the iconic structure was stabilised and kept upright for future generations.

Michael Portillo sets off on a Greek odyssey, beginning at Piraeus, the bustling port of Athens, and travelling northwards towards Thessaloniki. Along the route he pauses at the iconic Acropolis, absorbing its ancient ambience, before treating himself to the country's beloved dishes, sampling the hearty moussaka and the sweet, flaky baklava. The programme follows his progress as he moves from the southern harbour up through the heart of Greece, highlighting the blend of history and cuisine that defines the stretch between the two cities. Throughout the trip, the emphasis remains on the juxtaposition of ancient monuments and everyday flavours, offering viewers a concise snapshot of Greece's northern corridor.

Michael Portillo sets off on a Greek odyssey, beginning at Piraeus, the bustling port of Athens, and travelling northwards towards Thessaloniki. Along the route he pauses at the iconic Acropolis, absorbing its ancient ambience, before treating himself to the country's beloved dishes, sampling the hearty moussaka and the sweet, flaky baklava. The programme follows his progress as he moves from the southern harbour up through the heart of Greece, highlighting the blend of history and cuisine that defines the stretch between the two cities. Throughout the trip, the emphasis remains on the juxtaposition of ancient monuments and everyday flavours, offering viewers a concise snapshot of Greece's northern corridor.

Michael Portillo journeys far into the densely wooded Black Forest, where he watches the painstaking carving of traditional cuckoo clocks. The setting is surrounded by towering pines and centuries‑old traditions that echo the region’s artisanal heritage. The episode follows his exploration of the workshop, highlighting the meticulous hand‑work that goes into each timepiece. By observing the precision and care applied to the clocks, the programme illustrates the roots of Germany’s well‑known reputation for producing goods of high quality. The focus on this particular craft serves as a clear example of how the country’s standards of workmanship were forged, linking the historic art of clock‑making to the broader perception of German manufacturing excellence.

Michael Portillo journeys far into the densely wooded Black Forest, where he watches the painstaking carving of traditional cuckoo clocks. The setting is surrounded by towering pines and centuries‑old traditions that echo the region’s artisanal heritage. The episode follows his exploration of the workshop, highlighting the meticulous hand‑work that goes into each timepiece. By observing the precision and care applied to the clocks, the programme illustrates the roots of Germany’s well‑known reputation for producing goods of high quality. The focus on this particular craft serves as a clear example of how the country’s standards of workmanship were forged, linking the historic art of clock‑making to the broader perception of German manufacturing excellence.

In this episode Michael Portillo sets off from Barcelona and makes his way to Majorca, using the journey as a lens through which he examines the early origins of the Spanish Civil War. As he travels the route, he continually ties the historical background to his own family story, showing how the conflict tore his relatives apart and ultimately compelled his father to live in exile. The programme follows his progress across the two regions, linking the landscape and the lingering echoes of the war with the personal impact it had on his household, and it highlights how those early causes still reverberate in his family’s memory.

In this episode Michael Portillo sets off from Barcelona and makes his way to Majorca, using the journey as a lens through which he examines the early origins of the Spanish Civil War. As he travels the route, he continually ties the historical background to his own family story, showing how the conflict tore his relatives apart and ultimately compelled his father to live in exile. The programme follows his progress across the two regions, linking the landscape and the lingering echoes of the war with the personal impact it had on his household, and it highlights how those early causes still reverberate in his family’s memory.

The episode follows the presenter as he travels through the territories of the former Russian empire, moving from Georgia to Azerbaijan. Along the way, he stops at a tea plantation, where the cultivation process and local customs are shown, before heading to a museum devoted to Joseph Stalin. He observes the verdant hills surrounding the plantation, noting how tea production remains a vital part of the local economy. Inside the Stalin museum, exhibits trace the leader’s influence on the region, offering insight into a complex past. The journey offers a look at the region’s history and culture, linking the remnants of the Soviet past with contemporary life in the South Caucasus.

The episode follows the presenter as he travels through the territories of the former Russian empire, moving from Georgia to Azerbaijan. Along the way, he stops at a tea plantation, where the cultivation process and local customs are shown, before heading to a museum devoted to Joseph Stalin. He observes the verdant hills surrounding the plantation, noting how tea production remains a vital part of the local economy. Inside the Stalin museum, exhibits trace the leader’s influence on the region, offering insight into a complex past. The journey offers a look at the region’s history and culture, linking the remnants of the Soviet past with contemporary life in the South Caucasus.

In the episode titled “Salamanca to Canfranc”, presenter Michael Portillo embarks on a railway journey across Spain, equipped with a 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Guide that supplies timetables and route information for his progress. He departs Salamanca, follows the line toward the Pyrenean frontier, and reaches the mountain station of Canfranc along the historic route, tracing Spain’s segment of the European rail network as outlined in the 1936 guide.

In this episode it's Michael Portillo who sets off from the historic city of Orléans in north‑central France and travels through the châteaux that line the Loire Valley before heading east to the heart of the Champagne region, ending his journey in Reims. The programme follows his progress as he moves from the river‑lined landscape of the Loire to the sparkling vineyards and cultural centre of Reims, linking two of France’s celebrated areas. Along the way he notes the architectural heritage of the Loire estates and, on arriving in Champagne, points out how Reims acts as the region’s administrative and economic hub.

In the episode titled “Salamanca to Canfranc”, presenter Michael Portillo embarks on a railway journey across Spain, equipped with a 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Guide that supplies timetables and route information for his progress. He departs Salamanca, follows the line toward the Pyrenean frontier, and reaches the mountain station of Canfranc along the historic route, tracing Spain’s segment of the European rail network as outlined in the 1936 guide.

In this episode it's Michael Portillo who sets off from the historic city of Orléans in north‑central France and travels through the châteaux that line the Loire Valley before heading east to the heart of the Champagne region, ending his journey in Reims. The programme follows his progress as he moves from the river‑lined landscape of the Loire to the sparkling vineyards and cultural centre of Reims, linking two of France’s celebrated areas. Along the way he notes the architectural heritage of the Loire estates and, on arriving in Champagne, points out how Reims acts as the region’s administrative and economic hub.

Michael Portillo sets out on a railway journey across Germany, with the adventure opening in the bustling capital, Berlin. His first destination is the Museum of Modern Art, which lies in Berlin's well‑known Kreuzberg district. The episode follows his train travel as he departs from this vibrant city, highlighting the start of his German itinerary. By rail, he moves beyond Berlin, but the initial focus remains on the museum visit in Kreuzberg, offering a glimpse of the city's contemporary cultural scene. Throughout the segment, Portillo’s exploration is confined to the rail route and the museum stop, marking the commencement of his broader German voyage.

Michael Portillo boards a train in Palermo, Sicily’s bustling capital, and heads north toward Mount Etna, the continent’s largest volcano. The rail journey provides a moving backdrop for his investigation of the island’s recent past. During the ride he looks at how everyday life in Sicily was shaped under Benito Mussolini’s authoritarian rule, noting the ways the regime touched communities, culture and the landscape as the train draws closer to the volcanic summit. He meets locals, observes the architecture and hears anecdotes that reveal how fascist policies influenced work, family and community ties. All the while the looming presence of Etna serves as a reminder of the island’s enduring natural power.

Michael Portillo sets out on a railway journey across Germany, with the adventure opening in the bustling capital, Berlin. His first destination is the Museum of Modern Art, which lies in Berlin's well‑known Kreuzberg district. The episode follows his train travel as he departs from this vibrant city, highlighting the start of his German itinerary. By rail, he moves beyond Berlin, but the initial focus remains on the museum visit in Kreuzberg, offering a glimpse of the city's contemporary cultural scene. Throughout the segment, Portillo’s exploration is confined to the rail route and the museum stop, marking the commencement of his broader German voyage.

Michael Portillo boards a train in Palermo, Sicily’s bustling capital, and heads north toward Mount Etna, the continent’s largest volcano. The rail journey provides a moving backdrop for his investigation of the island’s recent past. During the ride he looks at how everyday life in Sicily was shaped under Benito Mussolini’s authoritarian rule, noting the ways the regime touched communities, culture and the landscape as the train draws closer to the volcanic summit. He meets locals, observes the architecture and hears anecdotes that reveal how fascist policies influenced work, family and community ties. All the while the looming presence of Etna serves as a reminder of the island’s enduring natural power.

In this episode of the series, Michael Portillo sets off on a rail journey along the scenic rail route that takes him across the landscapes of Austria and the Czech Republic. The trip kicks off in Linz, a northern Austrian city that is notable for being the place where Adolf Hitler spent part of his childhood. From Linz, Portillo follows the tracks southwards, crossing the border into the historic Czech Republic and eventually reaching Bratislava. The programme combines the picturesque railway experience with brief historical references, linking the today’s modern journey to the early life of the widely infamous dictator.

Michael Portillo embarks on a scenic rail trek that stretches for roughly a thousand miles, taking him from Sweden’s capital city to the far‑north of the country. The expedition starts in Stockholm, the bustling heart of Sweden, and proceeds along a railway line that winds its way through a succession of Swedish scenery. After covering the extensive distance, the train finally reaches Abisko, a small settlement positioned just inside the Arctic Circle’s northern reaches, marking the end of the journey. Throughout the trip, it’s all about the visual appeal of the route, as the traveller moves from the urban capital to the remote Arctic locale.

In this episode of the series, Michael Portillo sets off on a rail journey along the scenic rail route that takes him across the landscapes of Austria and the Czech Republic. The trip kicks off in Linz, a northern Austrian city that is notable for being the place where Adolf Hitler spent part of his childhood. From Linz, Portillo follows the tracks southwards, crossing the border into the historic Czech Republic and eventually reaching Bratislava. The programme combines the picturesque railway experience with brief historical references, linking the today’s modern journey to the early life of the widely infamous dictator.

Michael Portillo embarks on a scenic rail trek that stretches for roughly a thousand miles, taking him from Sweden’s capital city to the far‑north of the country. The expedition starts in Stockholm, the bustling heart of Sweden, and proceeds along a railway line that winds its way through a succession of Swedish scenery. After covering the extensive distance, the train finally reaches Abisko, a small settlement positioned just inside the Arctic Circle’s northern reaches, marking the end of the journey. Throughout the trip, it’s all about the visual appeal of the route, as the traveller moves from the urban capital to the remote Arctic locale.