HomeGreat Continental Railway Journeys

Great Continental Railway Journeys

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Last broadcast:09/09/2025 at 09:30Genres:Documentaries
Last episode
55:53
Great Continental Railway Journeys

In Bayeux, Michael Portillo admires the famous tapestry and reflects on D-Day at Gold Beach and the war cemetery. He visits France's national stud at Haras du Pin, samples Calvados brandy in Normandy orchards, meets a knight at Chateau Gaillard, and explores Monet's iconic garde...

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Season 8
54:41

Season 8, Episode 9 - Brest To St. Brieuc/ Rennes To Mont Saint-Michel

Michael Portillo's railway journey takes him to Brest's deep-sea research ship, where marine biologists study life beneath the waves. He then explores Breton culture through dance and food, visits Brittany's vast nature reserve, and uncovers Rennes's history before touring a cutting-edge car factory.
55:46

Season 8, Episode 8 - Zweisimmen To Lausanne/ Nantes To Lorient

Aboard the Golden Pass Express, Michael Portillo wends his way in style down steep mountainsides from Interlaken to the Swiss Riviera. In Lausanne, he contends with a knife-wielding robotic arm at a renowned centre of science and technology. Michael is impressed by the robot's skills in the kitchen, before witnessing a gro...
55:45

Season 8, Episode 7 - Zurich/ Rotkreuz To Brienz

In Zurich, Michael Portillo has a brush with the absurd in the anarchic paintings and artistic haunts of the Dadaists, a group of artists who found refuge in the city during the First World War. He visits the impressive Grossmunster Church to find out about the rebellious pastor at the centre of the Swiss Reformation and s...
54:52

Season 8, Episode 6 - Maienfeld To The Rhine Gorge/ Sedrun To Schwyz

Michael Portillo is transported 150 years back in time to the tiny Alpine village home of Switzerland's most famous child, Heidi. In Davos, he follows in the footsteps of 19th century convalescents at a former sanatorium, now the Hotel Schatzalp, and takes part in an icy cutting-edge experiment at the Institute for Snow an...
56:12

Season 8, Episode 5 - Aarhus To Odense/ Roskilde To Copenhagen

Michael Portillo explores Aarhus's bold architecture, Viking history in Jelling, and fairy tales in Odense. He crosses epic Danish bridges, sails a Viking ship in Roskilde, discovers 'hygge' in Copenhagen, visits iconic furniture makers, and performs Shakespeare at Kronborg Castle.
55:48

Season 8, Episode 4 - Myrdal To Heddal/ Larvik To Holsstebro

Michael journeys along Norway's Bergen Line through glaciers and tunnels to Oslo, exploring wartime heroism at Telemark and medieval heritage in Heddal. In Larvik, he discovers Larvikite stone before ferrying to Denmark, visiting Skagen's artists and touring the Lurpak butter factory.
55:37

Season 8, Episode 3 - Mostar To Dubrovnik/ Bergen To Flam

Michael rides the dramatic Sarajevo-Mostar line, reflects on Bosnia's past, and meets young musicians rebuilding Mostar's future. Crossing Croatia's new Peljesac Bridge, he reaches Dubrovnik's historic walls. In Norway, he begins a new journey from Bergen through fjords and famous railways.
55:43

Season 8, Episode 2 - Knin To Split/ Sarajevo

Michael Portillo visits Zadar for Maraschino liqueur, explores early electric lighting in Sibenik, and dons a Dalmatian suit in Trogir. In Sarajevo, he retraces Archduke Franz Ferdinand's final journey, reflects on war, explores Ottoman heritage, and meets locals full of hope for the future.
55:57

Season 8, Episode 1 - Pula To Pazin/ Buzet To Pag

Michael Portillo duels gladiators in Pula's ancient arena, explores olive farms and Tito's summer retreat, hunts truffles in Buzet, uncovers Rijeka's strange post-WWI coup, and ends on Pag Island making its famous salty cheese-all aboard a Balkan rail adventure.
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