Michael Portillo travels on the great train routes of Europe, as he retraces the journeys featured in George Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide.
Where to Watch Great Continental Railway Journeys • Series 9
15 Episodes
Cagliari to Porto Flavia
E1
Cagliari to Porto FlaviaMichael Portillo embarks on a stunning railway adventure through the western Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica, beginning in Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari.
Mandas to Laconi
E2
Mandas to LaconiMichael Portillo’s railway tour of Sardinia heads inland towards the island's dramatic mountain landscapes, which he discovers were frequented by DH Lawrence.
Nuoro to Macomer
E3
Nuoro to MacomerMichael Portillo continues his Sardinian railway adventure, arriving into Mamoiada to investigate the town’s extraordinary pagan traditions.
Ajaccio to Vizzavona
E4
Ajaccio to VizzavonaMichael Portillo’s railway journey through the islands of Sardinia and Corsica sees him leave Sardinia and arrive into Corsica, the most mountainous island in the Mediterranean.
Vivario to Corte
E5
Vivario to CorteMichael boards one of Europe’s most dramatic railways, which winds through Corsica’s breathtaking mountainous landscapes.
St Pancras to Brussels
E6
St Pancras to BrusselsMichael boards the Eurostar at London’s St Pancras International, bound for the Belgian capital, Brussels.
Brussels to Ghent
E7
Brussels to GhentMichael Portillo’s Belgian rail journey continues in the Dutch-speaking region of Flanders. He discovers Antwerp's historic diamond industry and visits a Van Eyck masterpiece in Ghent.
Knokke-Heist to Bruges
E8
Knokke-Heist to BrugesContinuing his Belgian tour, Michael Portillo heads to the beach resort of Knokke-Heist and the world’s longest coastal tram, which enjoys splendid views across the North Sea.
Brussels to La Louvière
E9
Brussels to La LouvièreMichael Portillo’s Belgian journey takes him back to Brussels to examine a dark chapter in the country’s past: the brutal seizure of the Congo under King Leopold II.
Namur to Florenville
E10
Namur to FlorenvilleOn the final leg of his Belgian journey, Michael Portillo travels to Namur, capital of Wallonia, to discover a citadel dating back to the 10th century.
Sopron to Keleti
E11
Sopron to KeletiMichael Portillo begins his Hungarian adventure in the far north west of the country in the town of Sopron.
Budapest
E12
BudapestExploring Hungary's capital city of Budapest by tram, Michael Portillo travels to the extraordinary open-air museum of Memento Park in the suburbs.
Huvösvölgy to Kobanya
E13
Huvösvölgy to KobanyaContinuing his travels in Budapest, Michael Portillo begins in the small town of Huvösvölgy, where he encounters a surprising railway run almost entirely by children.
Szeged
E14
SzegedAt Budapest’s historic Nyugati station, Michael Portillo explores its sumptuous royal waiting room, built specially for the Austro-Hungarian emperor Franz Joseph I and his empress, Elizabeth.
Eger to Hortobágy
E15
Eger to HortobágyOn the last leg of his journey, Michael Portillo arrives in the historic city of Eger. At its famous castle, he discovers how Ottoman invaders were defeated by an outnumbered Hungarian force.
