Michael Portillo's rail adventure begins in the Punjab and takes him from the Sikh holy city of Amritsar to the former imperial summer capital, high in the hills at Shimla. Show more
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At Kalka, Michael is rewarded with his first glimpse of the Himalayas and boards the mountain railway for the spectacular 7,000 feet climb over 60 miles to Shimla. Show more
From his Agra hotel, Michael Portillo enjoys a ringside view of the glorious Taj Mahal before heading out for a closer look and to hear the love story behind its construction. Show more
Checking into the capital’s famous Metropole Hotel, built at the time of his guidebook, Michael discovers a bunker where guests sheltered from American bombardment during the Vietnam War. Show more
Michael braves the streets of Ho Chi Minh City on a motorbike, one of 8.5 million to do so daily. He attempts the national sport, da cau, and samples the French-Vietnamese fusion food banh mi. Show more
Leaving what locals still call Saigon, Michael heads to the fishing port of Phan Thiet, where he learns how to make Vietnam’s signature fish sauce. Show more
Michael Portillo tours the formidable imperial city of Hue and in a village nearby, Michael meets milliner Mrs Ngo, who tries to teach him how to make the iconic conical hat, with comical results. Show more
Michael Portillo's rail odyssey through eastern Canada continues along the Grand Trunk railway, following the route of the St Lawrence River. Show more
In Canada's Quebec province, Michael Portillo ventures into the wooded hills of Vaudreuil to explore a Canadian icon, maple syrup. Show more
In the metropolis of Montreal, Michael Portillo discovers how French and British colonial roots have influenced the city's construction, cuisine and culture. Show more
Michael Portillo continues his American rail journey through New England as he heads for the Canadian border. First stop is Burlington, Vermont. Show more
Michael Portillo embarks on a rail journey from the Thar Desert in Rajasthan to the Indian capital, taking in desert landscapes and dazzling historic palaces. Show more
Guided by his Bradshaw's 1913 Handbook of Indian, Foreign and Colonial Travel, Michael Portillo embarks on a classic rail journey from Amritsar to Shimla. Show more
Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli journey along the west coast of Italy, stopping off at Genoa, the Cinque Terre, Pistoia, Pisa and Livorno. Show more
Andrew Graham-Dixon and Giorgio Locatelli's journey continues in Lazio. Avoiding Rome, the region's capital, they discover what lies outside the Eternal City. Show more
Michael Portillo takes a crash course in rowing in New Haven, where college teams from Yale and Harvard have battled for victory on the water since 1852. Show more
Undaunted by his guidebook's description of the Lachine Rapids, Michael Portillo gets a soaking on a white-knuckle boat ride down the St Lawrence River. Show more
Michael Portillo's rail journey through eastern Canada continues along the Grand Trunk railway, following the route of the St Lawrence River. Show more
Michael Portillo begins his Toronto tour with the ambitious underground engineering works at Union Station, which is now busier than the city's international airport. Show more
Michael Portillo boards Vietnam’s spectacular Reunification Railway to make a 1,000-mile journey from Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi. He visits the container port of Haiphong and finishes in Halong Bay. Show more