Arriving in Utrecht, Michael discovers the main hub of the Dutch railway network and its busiest station. After sampling la dolce vita in Portofino, Michael takes the train as it clings to the cliffs along the Riviera Di Levanti to reach the impossibly picturesque and remote villages of the Cinque Terre, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national park. I shall not easily forget his bow and Stradivarius whirling close to my head as the gorgeous music poured forth. In the Romanian capital Bucharest, the nation's leading violinist Alexandre Tomescu introduces Michael to the music of his country's greatest musician and composer, George Enescu, in a private recital with his Stradivarius. After a 14-year hiatus, a further three series were broadcast between 1994 and 1999, using the shorter series title. In Spains beautiful capital city, Madrid, Michael visits the 1930s art deco Telefonica Building and discovers what happened there during the civil war. He travels to Leipzig on a historic railway line, built by British engineers in 1839. Michael is in his element, stoking the boiler on the footplate of the enormous locomotive. Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide Michael Portillo resumes his rail journey through the former Russian empire from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, taking in present-day Georgia and Azerbaijan. He then travels the Habsburg imperial line across the Semmering Pass, a line blasted through the Alps. Great Continental Railway Journeys continues on Tuesdays 9pm BBC2. A visit to a sardine cannery has Michael scrubbing octopus tentacles, and a taste for the cephalopod sees Michael set sail with local fishermen to see if he can trap one. At the Palais de la Bourse, Michael hears how, at the time of his guide, the city was still reeling from the assassination of the country's president and how a shocked French nation rallied in support of the Third Republic. Without access to a smartphone, though, I had to wait until the morning to find out precisely why. Michael Portillo uses his 1913 copy of Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide to venture beyond Europe as he travels through the Holy Land. After braving one of the world's oldest rollercoasters in Copenhagen's famous Tivoli Gardens, Michael takes the train across the Oresund Bridge linking Denmark to Sweden, where he retraces the tracks of a train which carried a revolutionary Russian passenger on an epic voyage. Beginning in Dresden, Michael explores the city of one of his favourite opera composers, Richard Wagner. , tracks: At the birthplace of Germanys first democracy, Weimar, Michael investigates the beginning of Bauhaus design and visits the movements first building, a family house encapsulating a vision of how people might live in the 20th century. Jon Wygens is a multi-instrumentalist and award winning composer for film and television. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Great Continental Railway Journeys, Portillo, Michael, Used; Good Book at the best online prices at eBay! Michael Portillo travels on the great train routes of E >. Other similar series followed: Great Indian Railway Journeys in 2018 and Great Alaskan and Canadian Railroad Journeys and Great Australian Railway Journeys in 2019. An excursion to a nearby bathing resort popular at the time of his guide and during Soviet times leads Michael to a hydropathic establishment where he braves an intimate massage in warm mud. In Delphi, he discovers how at the turn of the 20th century an entire village was removed in order to excavate the site of the oracle. At least they dont make him do too much in the way of Activities. Javascript is required to view shouts on this page. Arriving in Geneva, Michael is thrust into tense conflict training at a military checkpoint as he explores the city's famously international character, beginning with the International Committee for the Red Cross. You might also like: Michael Portillo on going from politics to riding the rails. Books have been published to accompany the first three series, with a chapter by each of the presenters on their particular journey: A similar book was also published on Great Little Railways: On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Described by the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians as "probably the first ever railway song", Glinka's express Travelling Song is a . He then heads over the rail bridge across the lagoon to Venice, where he finds a microcosm of pre-First World War Europe in the Venice Biennale art exhibition. Cycling in tandem with his guide, Michael discovers Lyon's role in the country's most famous sporting event, the Tour de France. Without access to a smartphone, though, I had to wait until the morning to find out precisely why. He pays homage to the genius of Barcelona's most famous architect and meets the man responsible for finishing off Antoni Gaudi's life's work. Ever keen to try his hand, Michael takes instruction from a top chef on how to make an omelette, but his efforts fail to impress. Takes to the skies in a vintage bi-plane and tries watchmaking, James Bond style. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. At La Spezia, an important Italian naval base, Michael discovers how Italy's imperial ambitions put her at the forefront of modern aerial warfare. Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw's, Michael Portillo explores a very different Spain from the one he knows best and ventures across its border with Britain's oldest ally, Portugal. Great British Railway Journeys Opening Theme, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 01 - Recovery, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 02 - Mother Nature Coming Back, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 03 - Nature Rebound, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 04 - Cod, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 05 - Panama Canal, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 06 - Great Barrier Reef, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 07 - Alien Trees, Jon Wygens - The Age Of Nature (Music From The Series) - 08 - Bialowieza Forest, Jon Wygens Film and Television Composer's likes, Jon Wygens Film and Television Composer's playlists, Jon Wygens Film and Television Composer's tracks, Jon Wygens Film and Television Composer's comments. Michael Portillo heads for the Netherlands, where he roots around the world's largest flower auction in Haarlem, operates a crane in Europe's largest container port, Rotterdam, and investigates Amsterdam's famous red-light district. In Lund, he samples a smorgasbord before having a Highland fling in Gothenburg, where he test drives a vintage Volvo. Michael Portillo continues his journey through Germany, guided by his 1936 Bradshaws Continental Railway Guide. Fingers crossed there will be no more . With his 1913 guidebook in hand, Michael Portillo explores the stunning art nouveau architecture of the Czech capital. In Palermo, Michael takes in the art and architecture of the Futurists and feasts on spaghetti and sardines in the citys Ballaro market. But that is what Portillo now is (and wears and does). Steered by his 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo travels one of the most stunning rail routes of the world, the historic Trans-Caucasus Railway, through the former Russian empire from the Black Sea to the Caspian Sea, taking in present-day Georgia and Azerbaijan. Along the way, he marvels at the Matterhorn and is rescued from an 'avalanche' by a St Bernard puppy. Michael discovers from a British engineer how the leaning tower of Pisa was rescued from near collapse. Forsaking the saddle, Michael takes to the skies and pilots a light aircraft as he learns of one of France's pioneering aviators. Michael Portillo uses George Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide to explore Switzerland, whose remarkable railways helped make it a favourite with Edwardian tourists. Steered by his 1913 railway guide, Michael journeys through a prosperous pre-war Europe of emperors, kings, pomp and elegance. There he wrote music that posed a threat to the established order as surely as Bolshevism. Read about our approach to external linking. Michael then boards the train that runs from the Caspian Sea to Moscow, where he performs an important role in a dramatic opera at the Bolshoi Theatre, before exploring the beauty and history of St Petersburg and riding on the first railway ever built in Russia. Its rhythms were primitive and its themes unmistakably sexual. Beginning in Galicia, Michael discovers the elegant city of La Coruna, a fashionable destination for Edwardian Britons, for whom the principal attraction was the tomb of a British military hero. Looking at history and trying 21st century things that changed since before The Great War. Prague to Munich. He takes a detour to the island of Capri, before finishing his journey in the ancient hilltop town of Taormina. Sorry, comments are closed for this item. Michael boards an early 20th-century yacht to experience the thrill for himself and learns how British yachtsmen spied on the German navy. Both series are fronted by ex-politician Michael Portillo and in this European odyssey he travels around continental Europe, using George Bradshaw's1913 Continental Railway Guide. Great British And Continental Railway Journeys dvd | Films & TV, DVDs & Blu-rays | eBay! Crossing the border again into Norway, Michael discovers how in 1913 this young nation expressed its own distinctively modern identity in plays, paintings and polar exploration. At Prague Central Station, Michael meets a woman who, as a young girl, travelled by train to safety in London. That gave way to a red jacket, orange shirt and yellow trousers. Michael discovers how the leaning tower of Pisa was rescued from near collapse. Series 8 was filmed in Spring and Summer 2022. A new version of Last.fm is available, to keep everything running smoothly, please reload the site. Vrai, More Hope, Efficient, Having Doubts (AlbumModern string ensemble). Boarding one of the narrowest gauge railways in the world, the Little Train of Pelion, Michael travels to the village of Milies, where he learns about the place of the Orthodox church in Greek national life. Michael Portillo follows in the footsteps of Edwardian travellers to trace a route recommended in his Bradshaw's guide from the heart of France to the Mediterranean coast. A humbling masterclass in carving cuckoo clocks shows him how the nation's reputation for quality and reliability in manufacturing was established from the early 18th century. Not so, as culture also has a part to play. Season 2. Over the border in the former imperial territory of Slovenia, Michael discovers how an earthquake in Ljubljana encouraged its citizens to assert their national identity in architecture and art. Michael meets her modern-day incarnation. At the capitals Royal Institute of Technology, Michael investigates transport of the future in a near vacuum tube. Michael Portillo follows his Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide to continue his journey through the Netherlands. He learns from the buffet car cooks how to prepare a supper of meat-filled dumplings - Dagestani specialities called pylmeni. / Great Continental Railway Journeys. In one of the areas elegant cafes, Michael learns about dada and the avant garde during the Crazy Years after the First World War. Along the way, Michael discovers the parlous state of Greek finances at the time of his guidebook. Hard on their heels in Madrid, he visits the scene of a grim assassination attempt at the royal wedding of a British princess and a Spanish king. One newspaper commented that only Eric Morecambe was funnier. He takes a water taxi along the Nieuwe Maas river to the windmills of Kinderdijk to see how the Dutch conquered the waters which threaten their land. Along the way, he roots around the world's largest flower auction in Haarlem and investigates Amsterdam's famous red light district. Inspired by the music and story of Poland's national icon Frederic Chopin, Michael takes to the floor to dance the polonaise with high school students rehearsing for their leavers' ball. He finds out about the first railway to be built in the country, from Naples to Portici, around the base of Vesuvius and then plucks up his courage to venture into the mighty volcano's crater. Following in the footsteps of Bradshaw's travellers, Michael explores the cradle of the Renaissance through Edwardian eyes. In Verona, Michael discovers the 'House of the Capulets', bought to attract Edwardian tourists to the scene of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. 7.673. Happy Xmas (War Is Over) This song completes a trio of great "message s Continue Reading 7 1 6 Quinn Cooper Great British Railway Journeys - Season 9 Episode 12. After arriving in the German capital, Berlin, Portillo is reminded of its turbulent past. He starts in the industrial city of Tula, before visiting Leo Tolstoy's former home of Yasnaya Polyana and learning how the author's life and works were intertwined with the railways. Crossing the border from Bohemia to Bavaria, Michael encounters a fire breathing dragon in Furth-im-Wald and in Nuremberg he rides German railway history - made in Britain. Leaving London behind, Michael follows the most popular route of the Edwardian traveller through France. On this leg he heads for the glorious Alps and learns how astonishing engineering feats conquered the most challenging peaks before taking in the striking beauty of Lake Lucerne. To cap off his journey, Michael travels to the Austrian border and the famous Brenner Pass, mastered by the railways in the 19th century and the scene today of a groundbreaking engineering project to build one of the world's longest rail tunnels. In the Capo district, he learns how the islands distinctive puppets are made and is enchanted to meet one carrying a Bradshaw. At the Museo Reina Sofia, Michael hears how the bombing of a small town in the Basque region in 1937 inspired one of the 20th centurys most shocking works of art. Michael learns how diplomacy brought Britain and Spain closer together and rides on a hair-raising scenic railway. Heading to Bilbao, he explores the industrial ties between France and Spain and learns to cook a traditional Basque dish . Arriving in Munich, he finds a blue horse created at the time of his guidebook and discovers an early 20th century pioneer who laid the foundations for the city's pre-eminence in science and technology today. The deeply shocking piece now has pride of place in the gallery of the Belvedere Palace, painted between 1907 and 1908 during his golden period. Glinka: Travelling Song (The Train Song), 1840. In a caf popular with artists of the time he discovers the dance craze of the day - the tango - and gamely gives it a go. 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, captured the year before from the Ottoman Turks, who had ruled much of Greece for 400 years. With his Bradshaw's 1913 Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo ventures east to a land which a century ago was part of the Russian Empire and today is the independent state of Ukraine. Backstage at the legendary Folies Bergere, Michael asks the 'enfant terrible' of fashion, Jean Paul Gaultier, about his homage to the black American dancer, Josephine Baker, and goes backstage to meet the stars of the show. He begins by weaving among the capital city's landmarks on the back of a 1950s Vespa, before boarding the train south to Naples, where he finds out about the first railway to be built in the country, and ventures into the crater of Mount Vesuvius. Michael Portillo sports a strikingly modern edition of his Bradshaws Continental Handbook, dated 1936. Beginning in Warsaw, Michael is puzzled by how a city famously razed to the ground after the Second World War can appear so beautifully preserved. That feeling was confirmed as soon as I exited Vienna's stunning new main station. The seat of power beckons in Kutaisi, home to the wonderful glass dome built for the Parliament of Georgia when it moved here from the capital, Tbilisi, in 2012. Often available in a six-pack of programs, though also out-of-print, they are commonly found for purchase online. I was at university and in bed, but heard the cheers going up from streets around. Featured peformers: Jon Wygens (composer). In Avignon, Michael savours the scent of Provence in the region's lavender fields before relaxing with a glass of the city's famous tipple, Chateauneuf-du-Pape. York to Frizinghall. 2012-11-08. Starting in Budapest, the capital of Hungary, he travels via Bratislava in Slovakia to the beautiful and elegant city of Vienna, where he immerses himself in pre-war decadence. Thats very nice, she replied. The title Great Continental Railway Journeys has led some to believe that the series is designed solely for train spotters. [6] This series relied on narrators rather than presenters who appeared on camera. He will end his epic journey in the forest of Compiegne to hear how, after four years of conflict, the Armistice was finally signed in a railway carriage. The image of the teenage warrior endures as a symbol of resistance, and her life is celebrated in an annual parade. After visiting Potsdam, he explores Weimar in central Germany, a city that has twelve buildings on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Heading south again on the long journey to Reggio Calabria, Michael shares lunch on board with fellow British travellers before their train is loaded onto a ferry for the short sail to Sicily. He discovers the magnificent art and architecture of the Dutch Golden Age and marvels at the engineering ingenuity of this fiercely independent nation. They are now long out-of-print, but occasionally are offered from online sellers. Michael is ambushed by singers of the city's legendary trallalero and learns to whip up a mean pesto Genovese. Arriving in Lodz, he discovers how the former industrial heartland - the Manchester of Poland - supplied the vast Russian Empire of the early 20th century and marvels at how the region today has been transformed into a breathtaking version of 'Hollywoodzh'. It took Portillo to Bulgaria, Turkey, Austria, Italy, Slovenia, Greece, Germany, and Spain. Braving the force of the Goettingen wind tunnel, Michael investigates the track where model trains are fired at up to 360km per hour. Michael's journey begins in Sofia, where he discovers the then newly independent orthodox Christian nation, which had broken free of the decaying Ottoman Empire and found an ally in a British Prime Minister. Michael learns how a planned boycott by the United States and other European nations failed and how the success of a black American athlete undermined the Nazi ideology of Aryan superiority. He learns how an aristocratic English poet became a Greek national hero and relives Greek athletic victory at the first modern Olympic games. In Carrara, he finds out how the marble used by Michelangelo is still quarried today and is invited to chip away at a contemporary sculpture. In the British Isles uncover a country once connected entirely by steam, now enjoying stunning heritage rails as a tourist experience, and in America, the country once built on the back of railroads, enjoy the epic adventures that can take you from sea to shining sea. Armed with his 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo ventures to the northernmost reaches of Europe. Forsaking the saddle, Michael takes to the skies and pilots a light aircraft as he learns of one of France's pioneering aviators. Will four-year-old puppy Easy rise to the challenge? Inspired by the music and story of Poland's national icon Frederic Chopin, Michael takes to the floor to dance the polonaise with high school students rehearsing for their leavers' ball. [8] A third series followed in January 2012, including five episodes on railways in Ireland. At a time of imperial plumes and white tie balls, it celebrated raw savagery. He then heads for the glorious Alps and learns how astonishing engineering feats conquered the most challenging peaks, before taking in the striking beauty of Lake Lucerne. The bodies of two lovers are entwined and the female figure is clearly in ecstasy. At Martigny, Michael puts his faith in St Bernard after he is buried in snow. Michael Portillo continues his railway adventure which takes him across the heart of Europe. He encounters mummified monks in a medieval monastery and works out alongside two of the strongest women in the world. Having spent between five weeks to a month on the train, Watson used field recordings of the journey for his 2011 album El Tren Fantasma.[1][2][3]. Great Continental Railway Journeys Der britische Journalist und Ex-Minister Michael Portillo reist mit der Eisenbahn quer durch Europa. We get it. Armed with his trusty 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide, Michael Portillo travels to the Ukrainian capital, Now using a 1936 edition of Bradshaws Continental Handbook, Portillo visits the city of, Portillo begins this journey in the historic city of, In the final episode of the series, Portillo begins his journey in the, This page was last edited on 7 January 2023, at 12:38. About sixty singers and dancers gave a magnificent performance in astrakhan hats and colourful waistcoats and bodices. 253 pages : 25 cm. Great Continental Railway Journeys.