Great Continental Railway Journeys (2012)

Episode Overview

While in Vienna, Michael Portillo meets a spy from the pre-Cold War era and uncovers the story behind the concert that sparked a riot in 1913. He continues his journey along the Habsburg imperial railway through the Semmering Pass, a remarkable route carved through the Alps. In Graz, he explores the Lurgrotte Caves to learn about a significant rescue mission from history. Moving on to Slovenia, he discovers how an earthquake in Ljubljana inspired its residents to express their national identity through architecture and art. Finally, he arrives in the Italian port city of Trieste, where he enjoys the coffee that fueled its vibrant café culture.