Great Continental Railway Journeys TV Listings

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Vienna to Trieste — Great Continental Railway Journeys

In Vienna, Michael Portillo encounters a pre-Cold War spy and learns about the concert that caused a riot in 1913. He then travels the Habsburg imperial line across the Semmering Pass, a line blasted through the Alps. In Graz, the former politician ventures underground at the Lurgrotte Caves to find out about a famous rescue operation of the past, then in Slovenia discovers how an earthquake in Ljubljana prompted its citizens to assert their national identity in architecture and art. Arriving in the Italian port of Trieste, Michael savours the imported coffee that fuelled a cafe culture

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Vienna to Trieste — Great Continental Railway Journeys

In Vienna, Michael Portillo encounters a pre-Cold War spy and learns about the concert that caused a riot in 1913. He then travels the Habsburg imperial line across the Semmering Pass, a line blasted through the Alps. In Graz, the former politician ventures underground at the Lurgrotte Caves to find out about a famous rescue operation of the past, then in Slovenia discovers how an earthquake in Ljubljana prompted its citizens to assert their national identity in architecture and art. Arriving in the Italian port of Trieste, Michael savours the imported coffee that fuelled a cafe culture

27

Athens to Thessaloniki — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from the Athens port of Piraeus, north to the city of Thessaloniki, exploring the Acropolis and sampling moussaka and baklava on the way. He also discovers the parlous state of Greek finances at the time of his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, and learns how an aristocratic English poet became a Greek national hero

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The Black Forest to Hannover — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo ventures deep into the Black Forest, where he discovers how Hansel and Gretel helped to unify the German nation. A masterclass in carving cuckoo clocks demonstrates how the nation's reputation for quality and reliability in manufacturing was established. Later, at Goettingen University, the former politician discovers two sides of student life at the turn of the 20th century - the duelling fraternities and the ground-breaking scientists who laid the foundation of Germany's world-class transport technology

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Pisa to Lake Garda — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo experiences first-hand Italy's 'need for speed' in a state-of-the-art Maserati sports car, and discovers how the leaning tower of Pisa was rescued from near collapse. In Carrara, he finds out how the marble used by Michelangelo is still being quarried and is invited to chip away at a contemporary sculpture. Moving on to Bologna, the former politician embarks on a doomed search for spaghetti bolognese before being taught how to prepare a tagliatelle al ragu. Finally, he lets the wind rush through his hair on a high-speed boat trip across Lake Garda

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Athens to Thessaloniki — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from the Athens port of Piraeus, north to the city of Thessaloniki, exploring the Acropolis and sampling moussaka and baklava on the way. He also discovers the parlous state of Greek finances at the time of his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, and learns how an aristocratic English poet became a Greek national hero

27

Barcelona to Majorca — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo traces the early 20th-century roots of the Spanish Civil War, which divided his family and sent his father into exile. The former politician discovers a nation fractured at the time by social tensions and regional loyalties, which today offer a rich diversity of cultures to delight the tourist. After arriving in Majorca from Barcelona, Michael spoils himself enjoying spectacular scenic views aboard a 1912 vintage railway and a 1913 tram. He also gets trampled underfoot at the bottom of a Catalan 'people steeple' and learns to make the perfect paella

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Salamanca to Canfranc — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Armed with a 1936 edition of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo ventures onto the European rail network, beginning an emotional rail journey which takes him deep into his family's past. In the golden city of Salamanca in northwestern Spain, Michael visits the University to hear of opposition to the fascist takeover of Spain by General Francisco Franco, and gains access to the General's archive of enemies of the state. Travelling onto the capital city of Madrid, Michael hears how the bombing of a small town in the Basque region in 1937 inspired one of the 20th century's most shocking works of art, before making his way to the town of Huesca. Michael's final stop is on the border with France at Canfranc station, where he learns of the role the old terminus played in the evacuation of Jews during the Second World War

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Barcelona to Majorca — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo traces the early 20th-century roots of the Spanish Civil War, which divided his family and sent his father into exile. The former politician discovers a nation fractured at the time by social tensions and regional loyalties, which today offer a rich diversity of cultures to delight the tourist. After arriving in Majorca from Barcelona, Michael spoils himself enjoying spectacular scenic views aboard a 1912 vintage railway and a 1913 tram. He also gets trampled underfoot at the bottom of a Catalan 'people steeple' and learns to make the perfect paella

27

Orleans to Reims — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo travels from the chateaux of the Loire Valley to the heart of the Champagne region at Reims, beginning in the city of Orleans in north-central France. Here, he follows his Bradshaw's guide to the magnificent stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Sainte-Croix, which tell the story of the heroine of France, Joan of Arc. Later, Michael takes a spin around the track at Le Mans in a French-built car, before making his way to the capital city of Paris. East of Paris, Michael finishes this leg of his journey in style with a tour of the cellars at Domaine Pommery in Reims

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Berlin to Stuttgart — Great Continental Railway Journeys

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Orleans to Reims — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo travels from the chateaux of the Loire Valley to the heart of the Champagne region at Reims, beginning in the city of Orleans in north-central France. Here, he follows his Bradshaw's guide to the magnificent stained-glass windows of the Cathedral of Sainte-Croix, which tell the story of the heroine of France, Joan of Arc. Later, Michael takes a spin around the track at Le Mans in a French-built car, before making his way to the capital city of Paris. East of Paris, Michael finishes this leg of his journey in style with a tour of the cellars at Domaine Pommery in Reims

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Palermo to Mt Etna — Great Continental Railway Journeys

On a railway journey from the capital Palermo, through the ancient town of Agrigento and the port of Siracusa, to Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna, Michael Portillo explores Sicilian life under the dictatorship. He also finds out how the dictator took on the Mafia and asks whether it is true that under Mussolini, the trains ran on time

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Linz to Bratislava — Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo travels by train through Austria and the Czech Republic, beginning in the northern Austrian city of Linz, where Adolf Hitler lived as a young boy. From here, Michael travels onto Prague Central Station, where he meets 87-year-old Zuzana Maresova, who, as a seven-year-old girl climbed aboard a train to travel to safety in London with hundreds of other Jewish children. Eventually crossing the Czech border into Slovakia, Michael reaches his final destination, one of Europe's youngest capital cities, Bratislava

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Palermo to Mt Etna — Great Continental Railway Journeys

On a railway journey from the capital Palermo, through the ancient town of Agrigento and the port of Siracusa, to Europe's largest volcano, Mount Etna, Michael Portillo explores Sicilian life under the dictatorship. He also finds out how the dictator took on the Mafia and asks whether it is true that under Mussolini, the trains ran on time