BBC Earth brings viewers face-to-face with heart-pounding action and mind-blowing ideas. Explore the shows and get the channel in Africa.

BBC Earth | Channels

BBC Earth

In ten themed episodes, Michael shares his thoughts on the impact of railways since their invention less than 200 years ago on politics, the evolution of tourism, economics, nationhood, the spread of cultural ideas, imperialism, war, revolution, law and order and royalty.

Filmed in iconic locations in London, the capital of the United Kingdom, the series captures Michael at the Houses of Parliament at Westminster, where he was formerly in government; at Buckingham Palace and in the Royal Park of St James; at the Royal Opera House and Covent Garden; the City of London, the luxury shopping district of Bond Street and by the banks of the River Thames.

Michael recalls some of the stories which have affected him most deeply, including a visit to the American Civil War battlefield at Gettysburg and visits to the sacred sites in Jerusalem.&nbsp; And he indulges in those which gave him most enjoyment, for instance, travelling Britain's restored Settle to Carlisle line through the Yorkshire Dales and charting the Victorian origins of rail travel.&nbsp; He relives colourful stories from his many journeys to Europe's historic cities with their once powerful royal dynasties.

Michael reminisces about the fabulous hotels, in which his Bradshaw's guide recommended he spend the night: rooms once occupied by Lenin, Napoleon and Queen Elizabeth II, and the wonderful food he has sampled, from tagine in Morocco and mulligatawny in India to street food in Indonesia and pesto in Genoa, Italy.

There are magnificent rides on heritage railway lines including the Puffing Billy in Australia, the Royal Gorge Route Railroad in Colorado and the Pelion in Greece.&nbsp; He explores natural wonders including the Great Barrier Reef and the Grand Canyon and manmade marvels such as the Taj Mahal and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

He takes the opportunity to review some of his favourite outfits – the dazzling jacket and trouser combinations, including the infamous ‘pixelated’ blazer, compared by critics to the seat upholstery on London Underground’s Bakerloo Line.

Michael lets viewers into some of the secrets of filming his railway journeys and shares anecdotes from behind the scenes. And he doesn't shy from revisiting some of his least glorious moments – there are hilarious compilations of his best and worst dancing, his famously uncoordinated sportsmanship and cack-handed cooking.

Show description

Portillos_Greatest_Railway_Journeys_1.jpg

Portillos_Greatest_Railway_Journeys_2.jpg

Portillos_Greatest_Railway_Journeys_3.jpg

Michael Portillo presents his personal highlights from a decade of spectacular railway journeys across the globe.

Portillo's Greatest Railway Journeys

Show description

Gallery