Great Continental Railway Journeys
Overview
Michael Portillo embarks on a captivating journey across Europe, exploring the iconic train routes inspired by George Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide. With a mix of history and adventure, Portillo uncovers the rich stories behind each destination, offering viewers a glimpse into the landscapes and cultures that shaped rail travel. His travels are infused with personal insights and historical context, making each episode a delightful blend of nostalgia and discovery as he brings the past to life through the lens of modern railway experiences.
Episodes
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1
Sofia to Istanbul
With his reliable 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo embarks on an adventure through the Balkans, exploring the most ...
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2
Vienna to Trieste
While in Vienna, Michael Portillo meets a spy from the pre-Cold War era and uncovers the story behind the concert that sparked a riot in 1913. He cont...
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3
Pisa to Lake Garda
Title: From Pisa to Lake Garda Plot: Armed with Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on an Italian adventure, where he...
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4
Athens to Thessaloniki
With his 1913 Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo sets off on a Greek adventure starting from the port of Piraeus in Athens and headin...
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5
The Black Forest to Hannover
Equipped with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo journeys into the heart of the Black Forest, seeking to understand the true spirit ...
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3
Tangier to Marrakech
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1
Kiev to Odessa
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2
Batumi to Baku
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1
Salamanca to Canfranc
Michael Portillo embarks on a deeply personal journey with a contemporary version of his 1936 Bradshaw’s Continental Handbook in hand. His chosen de...
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2
Orleans to Reims
Title: Orleans to Reims Plot: Michael Portillo embarks on a journey from the stunning chateaus of the Loire Valley to the vibrant Champagne capital...
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3
Berlin to Stuttgart
Title: Berlin to Stuttgart Plot: Michael Portillo sets off on a train adventure across Germany, guided by a 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Continental ...
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4
Palermo to Mt Etna
Using his 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a journey to the picturesque island of Sicily, renowned for its stunning lan...
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5
Linz to Bratislava
Michael Portillo embarks on a train adventure across Austria and the Czech Republic, guided by his 1936 edition of Bradshaw’s Continental Railway Gu...
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6
Stockholm to the Arctic Circle
Michael Portillo sets off on a picturesque thousand-mile train adventure, traveling from Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, to Abisko, located within t...
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1
Pula to Pazin
Title: Pula to Pazin Plot: Michael Portillo embarks on an adventurous journey through the Balkan nations of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina, start...
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2
Buzet to Pag
With the help of Lila, a skilled labrador, Michael Portillo embarks on a truffle-hunting adventure in the picturesque Istrian countryside, close to th...
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3
Knin to Split
Michael Portillo’s train journey leads him to Zadar, a stunning coastal city in Dalmatia. Historically a significant trading center for Venice, Zada...
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4
Sarajevo
In Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia, Michael Portillo explores the pivotal final journey of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie, which took p...
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5
Mostar to Dubrovnik
Michael Portillo embarks on a scenic trip along the historic railway from Sarajevo to Mostar, making a dramatic descent of 600 meters through the Dina...
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6
Bergen to Flåm
Title: Journey from Bergen to Flåm Plot: Michael Portillo sets off on a scenic train journey through Scandinavia, starting in the bustling Norwegian...
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7
Myrdal to Heddal
Michael Portillo's railway adventure continues as he travels along the Bergen Line, making his way to Oslo, Norway's capital. There, he encounters a b...
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8
Larvik to Holstebro
Michael’s journey continues in Larvik, located along Norway’s southern shoreline, as he delves into the city’s treasured natural asset: a unique...
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9
Aarhus to Odense
Michael Portillo continues his journey through Scandinavia, arriving in Aarhus, Denmark’s second-largest city. This vibrant destination showcases a ...
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10
Roskilde to Copenhagen
Michael Portillo wraps up his remarkable train adventure through Norway and Denmark by traversing the impressive Great Belt Bridge. This 18-kilometre ...
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11
Maienfeld to the Rhine Gorge
Michael Portillo finds himself transported 150 years into the past, arriving in the quaint Alpine village that is the childhood home of Switzerland's ...
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12
Sedrun to Schwyz
Title: Sedrun to Schwyz Plot: Michael Portillo embarks on an exploration deep within a colossal hydroelectric dam to discover how Switzerland harness...
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13
Zurich
In Zurich, Michael encounters the surreal and chaotic world of Dadaist art, exploring the unconventional paintings that challenge norms. He also makes...
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14
Rotkreuz to Brienz
Michael Portillo embarks on an adventure through the Swiss Alps, riding one of the steepest cog railways globally. He explores the enchanting Grand Ho...
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15
Zweisimmen to Lausanne
While traveling on the luxurious Golden Pass Express, Michael Portillo elegantly descends the dramatic mountain slopes from Interlaken to the stunning...
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16
Nantes to Lorient
Michael Portillo embarks on a journey through the northwestern tip of France, delving into the stunning areas of Brittany and Normandy. As he travels,...
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17
Brest to St Brieuc
Michael Portillo's train adventure takes him to the naval port of Brest, where he discovers France's oceanographic fleet. While there, he also picks u...
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18
Rennes to Mont Saint-Michel
Michael Portillo continues his railway journey, arriving in Rennes, the heart of Brittany. At the Lycée Emile Zola, he learns about the school's hist...
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19
Bayeux to Argentan
While in Bayeux, Michael Portillo takes in the impressive Bayeux Tapestry, a remarkable 70-meter-long artwork created to depict William the Conqueror'...
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20
Lisieux to Giverny
Title: From Lisieux to Giverny Plot: Amidst the picturesque apple orchards of Calvados, Michael Portillo unearths the rich history of a traditional d...
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1
Cagliari to Porto Flavia
Michael Portillo sets off on a breathtaking rail journey across the western Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica, kicking things off in Cagli...
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4
Ajaccio to Vizzavona
Leaving the sunbaked shores of Sardinia behind, Michael Portillo crosses the sea to Corsica, the most rugged and mountainous island in the Mediterrane...
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6
St Pancras to Brussels
Michael steps onto the Eurostar at St Pancras International in London, heading straight for Brussels, the capital of Belgium.
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7
Brussels to Ghent
Michael Portillo pushes deeper into Flanders, the Dutch-speaking heart of Belgium, aboard the country’s rail network. In Antwerp, he uncovers the gl...
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8
Knokke-Heist to Bruges
Arriving in the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Heist, Michael Portillo boards the world’s longest coastal tram. Gliding along the shoreline, he take...
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9
Brussels to La Louvière
In Brussels, Michael Portillo delves into one of Belgium’s most troubling historical episodes: King Leopold II’s violent acquisition of the Congo.
