Michael Portillo's Great Railway Journeys

Michael's back, and this time he and his trusty railway guide are travelling through time to a Europe just about to feel the first tremors of the fast approaching Great War. So tune in and experience Edwardian life on the railways as Michael Portillo's acclaimed series, Great Continental Railway Journeys enters its 5^th series. From the Carpathian Mountains to the Swiss Alps and beyond, navigate tracks that have been hauling history for generations.

Returning for a another season, Michael Portillo's Great Continental Railway Journeys is back on BBC 2 from Friday 16th October at 9pm. Guided by George Bradshaw's 1913 handbook to continental rail travel, the programme follows Michael Portillo to a series of fascinating locations, all accessed by railway routes that have run since the Edwardian era. 

The opening episode of series three sees Michael travel through eastern Europe travelling through Russia and visiting places such as Tula, Moscow, St Petersburg and travelling on the first ever railway built in Russia between St Petersburg and the Tsar's village - Tsarskoye Selo.

Michael Portillo leaves Europe behind to take in the sights, smells and tastes of north Africa as he travels from the Mediterranean port of Tangier to the Berber city of Marrakech.

Michael Portillo travels from the Swiss Alps to the shores of Lake Geneva. Along the way, he is caught up in a war zone with the Red Cross and rescued from an avalanche by a St Bernard puppy. 

Watch Michael Portillo's journey across India starting on BBC 2 at 8pm on 20th March 2018 in Amritsar and travelling to Shimla, then the week after from Jodhpur to Delhi. From the high peaks of the Himalayas, the mountain range where resides Mount Everest, to the sand fringed beaches of Goa, this stunning country is a delight to explore at all levels.

Michael Portillo travels the length and breadth of the country visiting many colourful and quirky destinations along the route. From York to Frizinghall, to Norfolk and Cambridge, he spends time with the locals as well as touching on the history of the railway lines.