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Series 8: 15. Zweisimmen to Lausanne
Aboard the Golden Pass Express, Michael Portillo wends his way in style down steep mountainsides from Interlaken to the Swiss Riviera.\n\nIn 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 and witnesses a groundbreaking prosthetic that allows amputees to feel heat and cold.\n\nAt a family-run dairy and Gruyere cheese producer, Michael marvels at the Gruyere wheels floating in their salt baths before tucking into a fondue.
Source: BBC 2
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Great Continental Railway Journeys
Series 9: 8. Knokke-heist To Bruges
Continuing 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 ...
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Series 9: 7. Brussels To Ghent
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Series 9: 15. Eger To Hortobágy
On the last leg of his journey, Michael Portillo arrives in the historic northern city of Eger. At its famous castle, he discovers how, during the 16th century, Ottoman invaders ...
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Series 9: 14. Szeged
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Series 9: 13. Huvösvölgy To Kobanya
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Series 9: 12. Budapest
Exploring the capital city by tram, Michael Portillo travels to the extraordinary open-air museum of Memento Park in the suburbs. He discovers how a collection of imposing Sovie ...
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Series 9: 11. Sopron To Keleti
Michael Portillo begins his Hungarian adventure in the far north west of the country in the town of Sopron. He learns how a picnic for European unity on the Austrian border attr ...
27-05-2026
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Series 9: 6. St Pancras To Brussels
Michael boards the Eurostar at London’s St Pancras International, bound for the Belgian capital, Brussels.\n\nIn the city centre’s sumptuous Theatre Royal, he learns ...
26-05-2026
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Series 9: 5. Vivario To Corte
Michael Portillo’s Mediterranean railway adventure reaches its finale in Corsica as he boards one of Europe’s most dramatic railways, which winds through the island& ...
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Series 9: 4. Ajaccio To Vizzavona
Michael 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 Mediterr ...
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Most popular episodes of Great Continental Railway Journeys
Great Continental Railway Journeys
Series 9: 7. Brussels To Ghent
Michael Portillo’s Belgian rail journey continues in the Dutch speaking region of Flanders.\n\nIn Antwerp, he discovers the city's historic multibillion-pound diamond indu ...
02-06-2026
BBC 2
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Series 9: 5. Vivario To Corte
Michael Portillo’s Mediterranean railway adventure reaches its finale in Corsica as he boards one of Europe’s most dramatic railways, which winds through the island& ...
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Series 9: 6. St Pancras To Brussels
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Series 9: 1. Cagliari To Porto Flavia
Michael Portillo embarks on a stunning railway adventure through the western Mediterranean islands of Sardinia and Corsica, beginning in Sardinia’s capital, Cagliari.\n\nM ...
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Series 9: 2. Mandas To Laconi
Michael Portillo’s railway tour of Sardinia heads inland towards the island's dramatic mountain landscapes, which he discovers were frequented by DH Lawrence, who is rever ...
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Series 9: 4. Ajaccio To Vizzavona
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Michael continues his rail journey through Spain with his 1930s Bradshaw’s guide. At the Museo Reina Sofia, Michael hears how the bombing of a small town in the Basque reg ...
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Series 9: 3. Nuoro To Macomer
Michael Portillo continues his Sardinian railway adventure, arriving in Mamoiada to investigate the town’s extraordinary pagan traditions. In a menacing mask, black sheeps ...
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Series 9: 12. Budapest
Exploring the capital city by tram, Michael Portillo travels to the extraordinary open-air museum of Memento Park in the suburbs. He discovers how a collection of imposing Sovie ...
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Series 9: 13. Huvösvölgy To Kobanya
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28-05-2026
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