Great Continental Railway Journeys

Michael Portillo travels east through the Balkans along the most exotic section of the Orient Express, heading for Istanbul. His journey begins in Sofia.

Michael Portillo travels the Habsburg imperial line from Vienna across the Semmering Pass, a handmade railway line blasted through the Alps.

Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo visits Italy, where he experiences the nation's need for speed in a Maserati sports car.

Armed with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo embarks on a Greek odyssey from Athens's port of Piraeus north to the city of Thessaloniki.

Armed with his 1913 Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo ventures deep into the Black Forest on a quest to discover the essence of Germany.

Steered by his 1913 Bradshaw's Guide, Michael Portillo returns to Spain to trace the early 20th-century roots of the Spanish Civil War.