Trans Europe Express

A series that follows Michael Portillo around Europe as he rides on scenic railways, meeting the locals, observing the customs and detailing the history of the area and the railway line.

I watched this for the changing scenery more than anything else. In fact I figured that was pretty much all it was going to be. The history lesson aspect was a pleasant surprise and the scenery aspect was nice, though diluted.

However, the cultural stuff was rather bland and Michael Portillo seemed to visit a large amount of places that weren't that interesting. On that note, Portillo is one of the downsides of the series, coming across as quite stuffy and dull, making proceedings rather dry.

Overall it's okay but nothing more.

Who would know that his 2014 trip was probably St Petersburg and Russia, in their prime. It was probably before the land grab of Crimea and obviously before Ukraine.

I imagine that I will never now get to see St Petersburg, and will never venture back to Moscow.

The world has been turned upside down, once again, and these gems will never be the same again.

I can never trust Russia again. Though I suppose the same was said of Germany and even Britain after our various withdrawals from empire.

Btw the travel series is brilliant and Portillo is his usual confident self.

Ad ipso emporium garia myopia (I made that up)

Great Continental Railway Journeys, it's an entertaining documentary, wich shows many european cities and place, it's funny, and shows cities wich deserve more popoluarity but are unknown from most of the tourist.

As I'm not able to travel myself I always enjoy TV programmes that take us on a journey, showing us interesting places and people. Sadly I can't watch this now without getting upset that Portillo is enjoying explorations that he and his fellow Brexiteers have made much harder for British people. Of course with his Spanish passport he can continue to travel around Europe quickly and as often as he likes. I hope the BBC don't continue to pay him for trips that his campaigning has made difficult for his viewers. Let's have some European guides introduce us to their countries instead?!