Great Continental Railway Journeys

[CooperD]

A new series started last night. Well worth seeing on the iplayer if you missed it. Michael Portillo returns to Spain and journeys from Madrid to Gibraltar. Next week he goes to Venice.

[BrotherMouzone]

Outstanding first episode, but then I wasn’t expecting any less from Portillo and the BBC after the excellent first series and the very good Great British Railway Journeys.

[strummerville]

Agreed. Got this on series record. The Spanish episode should be shown to the anti HS2 Nimbys!

[gpo746]

Saw it very late on BBC 2 I really enjoyed this programme and the one being shown again on the British railways.
I think Portillo makes an enthusiastic and sensible host for the programme, what is refreshing is that I don't find it's dumbed down with unnecessary voice overs.
Genuinely well done.

[Eric Mc]

I agree. One of my favourite series.

I cannot fathom why so many people berate the BBC when they continue to make gems like this.

[funkyrobot]

I went to one his talks earlier in the year at my local theatre/cinema place. Was quite interesting and he mentioned this series.

[BrotherMouzone]

Heads up, back on BBC2 tomorrow.

[CooperD]

Got series record set on the Skybox. Love these programmes.

[baldy1926]

Looking forward to this

[BrotherMouzone]

Delightful first episode of the new series. As usual Portillo was charismatic and charming, and the production team did a wonderful job. A very enjoyable programme.

gpo746 said:

I think Portillo makes an enthusiastic and sensible host for the programme, what is refreshing is that I don't find it's dumbed down with unnecessary voice overs.
Genuinely well done.

I concur.

[Grandad Gaz]

I enjoyed that a lot

His dress sense is now getting a bit bizzare. A yellow jacket and dark pink trousers do not go together!

[BrotherMouzone]

Grandad Gaz said:

His dress sense is now getting a bit bizzare. A yellow jacket and dark pink trousers do not go together!

I quite like the lemon yellow jacket and the salmon pink one towards the end of the programme. I'd never be able to pull that look off though!

[Escort3500]

Couldn't stand him when he was in politics but he's hugely entertaining in this role and his programmes are beautifully filmed.

Edited by Escort3500 on Sunday 9th November 20:58

[anonymous-user]

Great Continental Railway Journeys with Michael Portillo.

There are so many things that I should dislike about this programme, and yet I love it

[BrotherMouzone]

Really enjoyed the latest episode and the story of Poland. Could have easily been made into a two-hour programme.

[CooperD]

I found the Poland episode very interesting. Lots of great buildings and the Steam train was really good.

[jinkster]

Very enjoyable and very good at presenting!

[snuffy]

I was up the Shard with the missus in June and he was up there filming another UK series which he said would be on at the start of 2015. Complete with his Bradshaw's guide and another very dapper jacket !

[retrorider]

All these train journeys and he still hasn't lost or left his book behind somewhere...

[marcosgt]

Escort3500 said:

Couldn't stand him when he was in politics but he's hugely entertaining in this role and his programmes are beautifully filmed.

Absolutely - As a politician he was the personification of smug-tt and yet he comes over as genuinely likeable and personable as a TV presenter.

I guess we really should be grateful the electorate booted him out of Parliament, on both scores!

I loved the Italian episode as we visited Capri, Rome and Vesuvius in the last few years, so it was like a stroll down memory lane! Shame he didn't take in Positano or Amalfi though.

M.