michael portillo uk tour

Michael Portillo

Controversial former Conservative MP for Kensington and Chelsea who regularly appears on TV and is a successful columnist.

Michael Portillo tour dates listed on Ents24.com since Nov 2005.

Official website michaelportillo.co.uk

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Past Events

Here are the most recent UK tour dates we had listed for Michael Portillo. Were you there?

• Nov 21 2023 Ilkley, Kings Hall An Evening with Michael Portillo
• Oct 27 2023 Yarm, Princess Alexandra Auditorium & Friarage Theatre An Evening with Michael Portillo
• Oct 06 2023 Peterborough New Theatre An Evening With Michael Portillo
• Oct 17 2022 Runcorn, The Brindley An Evening With Michael Portillo
• Oct 12 2022 Christchurch, The Regent Michael Portillo
• Feb 19 2022 Colne, The Muni Theatre Life - A Game Of Two Halves Michael Portillo
• Nov 27 2021 East Grinstead, Chequer Mead Theatre Michael Portillo - Life: A Game Of Two Halves
• Nov 20 2021 Paignton, Palace Theatre Michael Portillo - Life: A Game Of Two Halves
• Oct 26 2021 Weston-super-Mare, The Playhouse Theatre Michael Portillo - Life: A Game Of Two Halves
• May 13 2021 Paignton, Palace Theatre Michael Portillo - Life: A Game Of Two Halves

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What's on the itinerary for Michael Portillo in the latest series of his Great British Railway Journeys?

Guildford... Slough...Potters Bar… They’re hardly names to set the heart alight with wanderlust, are they? However, they’re all on the itinerary for Michael Portillo in the latest series of his Great British Railway Journeys.

And, given that it’s the show’s 12th series, it’s perhaps no surprise that Mr P is now investigating some of the less evocatively named corners of the nation’s rail network. In truth, every one of the destinations, across all 15 episodes, has an interesting story to tell (even Slough – home, as our host discovers, to the world’s first ever out-of-town trading estate). But that doesn’t necessarily mean you’d want to visit it on your holidays. No, if you’re actually looking for UK rail trips with incredible scenery, characterful trains and memorable history, then climb aboard one of these classics. First stop… 

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• ENTERTAINMENT

Michael Portillo launches new series of ‘Great Coastal Railway Journeys’

Portillo’s series, ‘Great Coastal Railway Journeys’ is set to return for a third series.

There is something lovely about being on a train, and watching the view from the window shift until you come to a slow halt at your destination. BBC Two and Naked West (a Fremantle label) clearly agree, as they have made a series about the UK’s great coastal railways . Michael Portillo hosts the show, which is coming back for a third season.

Discover our latest podcast

Portillo’s third season of ‘Great Coastal Railway Journeys’

In the third season of his show, Portillo is set to travel around the best bits of Britain’s coastal areas - and he even ventures a little further afield with a trip on the Eurostar to France. The whole point is to enjoy the history, culture and landscapes found by the sea and give viewers at home a taste of these different locations. All of the places visited are accessible by train .

Speaking about his return, Portillo said:

I am delighted to present a third series of Great Coastal Railway Journeys. I hugely enjoyed meeting inspiring people and hearing the history and legends of our coastline.

Alex McLeod, Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime , praised Portillo’s work on the series:

Michael is a wonderfully knowledgeable and trusted guide as he showcases beautifully scenic travel routes in the UK and beyond, which audiences can enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

Portillo has had a varied career and, indeed, a very interesting life . Now a presenter, the 70-year-old was once a history student at Cambridge University and later, defence secretary within the Conservative Party . However, it is his private life that has really grabbed the media’s attention.

Although Portillo has been married to his wife Carolyn Eadie for over 40 years , he has been at the centre of many a scandalous rumour.

Michael Portillo’s ‘homosexual experiences’

The presenter tends to keep his private life private, but a few stories about his love life have surfaced over the years. During an interview in 1999, Portillo said he had had some ‘homosexual experiences’ when he was younger. This came amid speculation over his sexuality and he has since explained:

​​I was keen to put to rest the rumours that had been circulating about me and I cannot really believe that what happened a generation ago could be big news. I do not think it was a particularly big burden and I do not have any regrets. The truth is a good thing.

Portillo insists that ‘nothing of this sort whatsoever’ happened after he married his wife in 1982. However, one man has accused the presenter of being ‘ somewhat economical with the actualité ’. Nigel Hart claims to have had an eight-year affair with Portillo in the 70’s, and has criticised the TV personality’s ‘ cowardly and misleadingly meagre version of what actually happened’.

Rumoured with an agoraphobic woman

There was also a big scandal in 2005, when Portillo was defence secretary. He was snapped with a woman named Rachel Johnston at the Ramada Hotel Breakfast , sneaking into each other’s rooms.

It came to light that Rachel, who was agoraphobic , had written to the then-politician as a student. She admitted that she ‘fancied’ him, and her illness meant she was looking for something to do:

It's true that in the early 1990s I did have a correspondence with Michael. I was cooped up indoors, unable to go outside , and I'd started to do an A level in English literature to pass the time. Being honest about it, I fancied Michael and I wrote to him saying that as part of my studies I had to do a profile of a public figure.

The pair exchanged letters, and had this fateful meeting at a hotel . While Portillo insists they never slept together, Rachel said they did - just once.

So, it would seem Portillo is not as conservative in his private life as he is in his political convictions; if these rumours are to be believed. However, these scandals have not prevented the presenter from carving out a very successful career for himself, and he is still happily married to Carolyn after 42 years together.

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Mirror : Michael Portillo's love life from 'affair' with agoraphobic fan to 'hypocritical' relationship

BBC : Great Coastal Railway Journeys returns to BBC iPlayer and BBC Two for a third series

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Michael Portillo on the significance of his new Great Coastal Railway Journeys series

For his latest tv series, michael portillo celebrates britain’s coastal railways. he tells claire webb why they are so magnificent, and of such personal importance.

As a boy, Michael Portillo used to catch the sleeper train from London to Scotland when he visited his grandparents, and can still recall the thrill of those journeys.

“In those days some of the trains were still pulled by steam engines and I remember being terrified by these enormous panting monsters of locomotives”, chuckles the former MP. “We travelled sitting bolt upright [in chairs] all night.”

The most exciting moment of those childhood trips from King’s Cross to Kirkcaldy, on Fife’s coast, was puffing across the iconic Forth Bridge after passing through Edinburgh.

“You see the huge, rust-coloured struts of iron and steel that hold the whole thing together.” He recalls once waking up at a station in the middle of the night; he could see “York” written on a pillar and peered around for the word “New”.

“My mother said, ‘You cannot possibly believe that New York is situated between London and Edinburgh.’ I was slightly ignorant of geography.”

If his mother had gazed into a crystal ball that night, she might have been surprised to see that her son would one day be Britain’s Defence Secretary and, after he retired from politics, would enjoy a second career presenting popular travel documentaries. For the past 13 years, Portillo has chugged around railways both at home and abroad.

The pandemic has barely slowed him down, but it has emptied trains. “It has produced a real crisis in rail travel,” he muses. “It’s not for me to advise people what level of risk they want to take. I would just say that I have travelled consistently on public transport through the pandemic and I’m here to tell the story.”

More on Train Travel

In his latest TV series, Great Coastal Railway Journeys, he meanders along the shores of Scotland, Wales and England, and is struck by their conservation.

“Much of the British Isles’ coastlines are pristine by comparison with Britain’s towns, villages and cities, which are awfully cluttered by traffic, parked vehicles and signage.”

Sea birds on bass rock

His first journey took him back to Scotland’s craggy east coast, from the historic harbour town of Dunbar to the busy fishing port of Peterhead via Edinburgh, Stirling, St Andrew’s, Dundee, Aberdeen and the Forth Bridge, which is still a personal thrill. However, the highlight was a boat trip from North Berwick to the world’s largest colony of northern gannets: Bass Rock, a 100-metre lump of jagged white rock floating in the Firth of Forth.

The Scottish Seabird Centre organises boat tours, including landing trips when the sea is calm enough. “At the time that I visited it was the gathering point for 150,000 gannets,” says Portillo, who’s a keen bird-watcher.

“The northern gannet is very large and rather beautiful, with a yellow shadow all around its blue eye. Most of them were breeding; the couples engage in courting behaviour – they cross their bills and do a sort of dance. In 13 years of making these programmes, I’ve never filmed anything quite like that. I’ve been back since because I wanted to show my family.”

He also explored the Scottish Isles. “This series probably has as many boats in it as trains. We went to Staffa, Mull, Iona, Skye and Harris and Lewis, and the Orkney Islands.”

As well as lovely sandy beaches and wide-open coastal vistas, Orkney has an especially fascinating history. “There are Iron Age settlements and a Norwegian-built medieval cathedral of some grandeur. It’s a reminder that Orkney stood as the very important entrepot between the British Isles and Scandinavia, and it was in fact Norwegian territory until relatively recently.

There’s also a gorgeous Nissen hut painted by an Italian prisoner of war during the Second World War with trompe l’oeil features, to create the impression of a Renaissance chapel.”

Back on the rails, a surprise highlight was the Cumbrian Coast Line, which meanders from the shipbuilding town of Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle via the shimmering mudflats of Morecambe Bay, the Lake District’s wild dunes and never-ending golden beaches.

“The railway runs along the water most of the way, and crosses lots of estuaries and inlets on little causeways and viaducts. As the tide goes in and out, the scene that you’re looking out on changes dramatically, and there are extensive sand and mudflats that are as spectacular as looking out at the sea”, he tells i .

All aboard the Hogwarts Express

Sixty years after Portillo was awestruck by the roaring locomotives at King’s Cross, he took a seat on the UK’s most popular steam train, It didn’t disappoint. The Jacobite operates on the West Highland Line between Fort William and the fishing town of Mallaig from May to October, and is better known as the Hogwarts Express thanks to its cameo in the Harry Potter films.

Skirting freshwater and sea lochs, the West Highland Line has been voted the world’s best train journey. For Portillo, the high point was crossing the 100ft, 21-arched Glenfinnan Viaduct.

“It was the first concrete viaduct and overlooks the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie landed from France in order to lead the Jacobite rebellion, which of course ended in disaster from the Jacobite point of view.”

He also bedded down on the night train from London Euston to Inverness, but this time in style: he booked a cabin on the recently scrubbed-up Caledonian Sleeper. “I went in the poshest cabin, so I had a little bathroom with shower and loo, and a large and comfortable bed. A terrific way to travel.”

‘Great Coastal Railway Journeys’ is on weekdays at 6.30pm, BBC Two

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Michael Portillo  makes a welcome appearance in Tunbridge Wells to talk about his life and career. After studying at Cambridge University, he worked with Mrs Thatcher, briefing her before press conferences. As a Conservative politician, he took just over a decade to go from a seat in the Commons to being seen as possible future Prime Minister. His political career came to a humiliating end when he lost his seat in May 1997. Since then, he has reinvented himself as a broadcaster of some renown, travelling the railways of the world for television, and investigating the history of numerous countries, and the daily lives of their people. He has also been a regular contributor to  The Moral Maze , as well as writing for newspapers.

This special event will see Michael talk with flair and humour about his political recollections punctuated with hilarious anecdotes, will discuss today's politics and behind the scenes glimpses into the filming of his popular railway journeys, which have now covered 5 different continents over 11 years. 

Audience questions are an important part of the event, so come prepared. A lively and fascinating event not to be missed!

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Running Time: 90 Mins | No Interval

Age Restriction: 12+

A book signing will take place after the show.

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An Evening of Burlesque

Lost In Music

‘The English language is spoken all over the globe,’ booms Michael Portillo, skilfully swerving the reasons

The cuddly conservative booms for britain as he travels the uk meeting ordinary people for the first time.

Great British Railway Journeys: Michael Portillo, whose clothes also boom. Photograph: Joseph Scanlon/Naked/Fremantle/BBC

“I am a boomer!” Michael Portillo says at one point in Thursday’s Great British Railway Journeys (BBC2, Wednesday-Friday). He certainly is. Both in the demographic, baby-boom terms in which he was speaking and in verbal style, the man booms for Britain. His voice is a posh foghorn, sounding from his floppy patrician face like a great clarion.

There is a type of programme that starts with a bunch of TV commissioners sitting in front of a board full of headshots of tired-looking famous men and another filled with modes of transport. Eventually someone says, “Let’s put Russ Abbot on a boat. We can call it Russ A-Boat,” and then they go to the pub. I believe every man in Britain over a certain age is entitled to a travel programme. Producers first put Michael Portillo on a train back in 2010, and they’ve all been in the pub since.

All the while the former Tory MP booms about the British countryside, meeting ordinary people for the first time. Unlike Irish politicians, who you can’t stop from attending your grandmother’s wake, British MPs can attain power while knowing exactly 100 people, all of them old Etonians. He also gazes at everything – old houses, trains, industrial wastelands – with detached fascination.

Portillo is complicit but unthreatening, and that’s what programme-makers want from a presenter these days

Back when he was a politician, Portillo was the sort of cuddly Conservative who snuggled up to Labour centrists on TV couches and looked as if he might have owned, and maybe read, a book. He was the type of Tory who knew to look sad when telling the people of Britain that this year they would have to eat their pets. He wasn’t the type who says, “You’ll eat your hamster and be happy, you pigs,” or the type who tells his constituents to celebrate because Brexit was always about eating our pets and now the EU can’t interfere. No, Portillo is complicit but unthreatening, and that’s what programme-makers want from a presenter these days.

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There are noble antecedents to this form of programme. In 1973 the BBC got John Betjeman, the poet laureate, to follow the railway tracks out of London into the commuter belt in an excellent documentary called Metro-Land. If Portillo is a posh clarion, Betjeman was a whimsical slide whistle embedded in a minor string chord. While Betjeman spent his time picking at the strangeness of suburbia with great lyricism and melancholic irony, Great British Railway Journeys just points Portillo at a place, points a camera at Portillo and lets the booming commence.

And so he wanders the British midlands in bright-red trousers or a salmon-coloured jacket (his clothes also boom), usually accompanied by a hint of a smile and a swelling string section. This is a musical motif that suggests Britain’s sunlit uplands are just around the corner even though these sunlit uplands have been sold from under the British people by Portillo’s own party. In fact, thanks to Tory asset-stripping and privatisation, British train tickets are now so expensive I imagine the main reason he does this show is to get his for free.

[  Michael Portillo: ‘Conservatives see Ireland exclusively through the unionist prism’  ]

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In Wednesday’s episode Portillo wanders up to Stratford-upon-Avon, home of that talentless hack William Shakespeare. “British theatre has the great advantage of the English language, which is now spoken all over the globe,” says Portillo, skilfully avoiding the reasons for this. And then he goes to Moseley to see the prefabricated homes given to soldiers at the end of the second World War. “Cosy,” he says, by which he means, “I live in a house the size of an airport hangar.” I also know what you’re thinking: Ah, support for the arts and public housing, two more great legacies of the Tory party.

The show frequently seems to imply that Britain’s ambition and greatness are things of the past. But this is, I suspect, an emergent property of modern Britain rather than an explicit intention of the programme makers. It bubbles away beneath the surface of Portillo’s jaunty baritone, a tone he even maintains on Thursday while visiting disused nuclear bunkers in Kidderminster and exploring the racist legacy of Enoch Powell in Wolverhampton. It’s a testament, in a way, to TV’s ability to transcend deep reflection.

My favourite bits are in Wednesday’s episode, during a segment about Britain’s under-construction high-speed-rail network, in which he is wearing a hard hat and gazing down at a building site. “But now the first high-speed intercity line, HS2, mired in controversy and cut back from the original plans, is under way!” Portillo says triumphantly, throwing his hands in the air with happiness as though he hasn’t noticed the words “mired in controversy” and “cut back from the original plans” are there at all.

A French man then takes him on a tour of some railway tunnels being created beneath Long Itchington Wood, in Warwickshire, and shows him a “boring machine” named after the Nobel-winning chemist Dorothy Hodgkin that is being used to drill the enormous caverns. He doesn’t hold his thumbs aloft and say, “Oi! There’s only one ‘boring machine’ here, Frenchy, and that’s yours truly!” No, instead he says, “Dorothy is shaking every bone of my body.” “Ooh, matron!” to quote another lost treasure of the British past.

Becoming Elizabeth is really about a nepo baby who has an era named after her

Speaking of sexy history, I believe you can study it at Trinity now. The details are largely the same as for its normal history curriculum, but in sexy history the kings and queens of the past, notoriously freakish oddballs in reality, are reimagined as attractive actors who own electric razors and skincare products. Becoming Elizabeth (Saturday, Channel 4) is probably on this curriculum. Channel 4 pitches it as the story of an “orphaned teenager embroiled in the politics of the English court”, which implies the ginger urchin is moments from belting out, “The sun’ll come out tomorra!”

Sadly they do not go down this route, because this particular urchin was really a nepo baby who has an era named after her and was related to the guy who started the company. Thankfully, Americans don’t know this, so a whole export industry of British actors, crews and stately homes has developed to make the ascension of Elizabeth I seem fraught with unexpected possibilities, like a series of Succession or Newsnight.

In fairness, it’s a zippy, well-acted tale of three siblings and an assortment of nefarious courtiers orbiting a crown. There is nudity. There is blood spurting from wounds. There are nice frocks. It’s basically the country that feudal poshos want to return to. All that’s missing is Michael Portillo booming on about the craftsmanship of the swords.

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How to Watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia Online Free from Anywhere

Michael Portillo’s Andalucia follows the star’s travels to Spain in Andalucia, where Michael is very familiar. He takes the opportunity to tour his audience to 6 of his favorite spots. The docuseries aired in the UK on Channel 5 on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 , at 9 PM local time , and streams on My5 .

My5 is geo-restricted and can only be accessed in the UK; once you leave the country, you will no longer be able to watch content on the service due to licensing restrictions. 

You’ll need the aid of a VPN subscription and connect it to a UK server to unblock My5 and watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia online.

What are the best spots in Andalucia? Michael Portillo will help you find out! Learn how to stream the series here and get additional information, such as the show’s preview, episode guide, and why a VPN will be a handy tool for you to have.

How to Watch Michael Portillo's Andalucía Online With a VPN

You can stream Michael Portillo's Andalucía on My5 with a VPN connected to a server in the UK to unblock the platform. This is how to use it:

• Subscribe to a VPN that unblocks My5 ( we recommend NordVPN ).
• Download and install the VPN on your device(s).
• Activate the VPN and connect to a server in the UK.
• Run My5 to stream Michael Portillo's Andalucía.

Why Do You Need a VPN to Watch Michael Portillo's Andalucia Online?

You need to use a VPN to watch Michael Portillo's Andalucia online because My5 is only available in the UK . The VPN can change your IP address, allowing you to use the service even when abroad.

Because My5 is geo-restricted, attempting to access video content on the platform without a VPN will result in an error message saying, "We're sorry, you must be located in the UK to view this content."

Using a VPN, you can bypass geo-restrictions by changing your IP address by connecting to a UK server. You will then be allowed to stream videos on My5.

If you're looking for a premium VPN service on the market, subscribe to NordVPN as your VPN of choice.

6,300+ servers in 111 countries. Easily unblock services, Fast and stable connection, No logs, No bandwidth limits, Military-grade encryption, 24/7 live chat support, and 30-day money-back guarantee.

Where to Watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia?

You can catch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia live stream in the UK on Channel 5 on Tuesday, November 7, 2023 , and stream it On-Demand on My5 the following day. As for a release in the US, Canada, and Australia, there has been no announcement of a possible premiere date or platform .

Here’s where you can stream online:

How to Watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia in the UK

Folks in the UK can watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia on Channel 5 on November 7 at 9 PM local time . It will also be able to stream the next day on My5 . The streaming platform is free to use; all you need is a free account.

The platform is geo-restricted, so if you travel abroad, you can use a reliable VPN to unblock it by connecting to a server in the UK.

Can You Watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia in the US, Canada, and Australia?

No , you cannot watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia in the US, Canada, or Australia. The series does not have a set release date or platform for those countries. If you’re a fan and would like to watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia online, then you can get a dependable VPN and connect to a UK server to stream the series.

Can You Watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia Online Free?

Yes , you can watch Michael Portillo’s Andalucia for free. You can stream the series on My5 in the UK, which is free to use in the country when you create a free account.

Michael Portillo’s Andalucia Preview

Andalucia is one of Spain’s most diverse regions. Michael Portillo has a particular fondness for the area and decides to take the opportunity to lead a tour of this beloved place. Michael takes viewers to six areas, which all have special meaning to him.

Each episode focuses on a different location where Michael chats with locals and learns something new about the place. Viewers get the chance to see culture through their passion, be it arts, cooking, or dancing, among other things. In the first episode, he meets up with the food blogger Fiona, where the two indulge in local delicacies. He will also get the opportunity to learn the art of creating handmade pots.

Michael Portillo’s Andalucia Episodes

• Season 1 Episode 1: Granada (November 7, 2023) - Staying in the grounds of the Alhambra, he meets food writer Fiona Dunlop to learn about Granada's traditional cuisine, and tries his hand at the potter's wheel in a 500-year-old family business.
• Season 1 Episode 2: Malaga and Ronda (November 14, 2023) - In the coastal city of Malaga, Michael enjoys one of Spain's biggest street parties: the Feria. He also visits the incredible hilltop town of Ronda, and stops off at a vineyard.
• Season 1 Episode 3: Cordoba and Costa del Sol (November 21, 2023) - Michael visits the ancient city of Cordoba and the Costa del Sol, savouring the mixture of Roman, Muslim, and Christian civilisations and meeting an olive oil farmer.
• Season 1 Episode 4: Huelva and Aracena (November 28, 2023) - Michael visits the busiest fishing port in Andalucia, stops off in Huelva city to follow in the footsteps of Christopher Columbus and visits the stunning Gruta de las Maravillas caves.
• Season 1 Episode 5: Cadiz and Jerez (December 5, 2023) - Michael takes part in an exercise to hoist the mainsail of an 80-metre long tall ship, and learns why world sherry capital Jerez is also the home of the flamenco guitar.
• Season 1 Episode 6: Sevilla and Carmona (December 12, 2023) - Michael finishes his Andalucian odyssey, taking us to two places he knows best - the capital city of Sevilla, and Carmona where he lives - taking in the Metropol Parasol and tapas.

Final Thoughts

Michael Portillo’s Andalucia is only available in the UK. If you are not in the UK, you may have to find a workaround to stream the series online. You can use a VPN tool to change your IP address and undo geo-blocks on My5 by connecting to a UK server whenever you are away from the country and stream the series there.

We highly recommend NordVPN because it is one of the best VPN providers, with thousands of servers worldwide. The VPN has strong encryption policies, fast speeds, and stable connections. Furthermore, you can even try NordVPN's risk-free trial for 30 days.

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Roll through the Swiss mountains by first-class rail and meet Michael Portillo

Switzerland has natural beauty to discover around every corner, from the serene Lake Geneva, to the imposing peaks of the Bernina Mountains and the mighty, knife-edge splendour of the Matterhorn, one of the world's most instantly recognisable mountain peaks.

Discover the Matterhorn and the Swiss Alps for yourself on this luxury fully escorted tour by first-class rail. You'll travel from the picture-perfect shores of Lake Geneva deep into Switzerland's mountainous heart.

Joining you on one of your excursions and hosting an exclusive talk and Q&A will be journalist and broadcaster Michael Portillo, whose enthusiasm for train travel is well known. Michael has presented various TV series about the world's most famous railways, and has travelled extensively on the Swiss railway network.

You'll ride first-class on board some of Europe's most renowned railways throughout the tour, staying in four-star hotels with excellent facilities as you travel.

You'll have a first-class ticket for the iconic Glacier Express from Zermatt to St Moritz. Known as the 'slowest express train in the world' this journey allows you lots of time to admire the Alpine scenery over a three-course lunch at your seat.

You'll also travel to and from Tirano in Italy on the lovely Bernina Railway, a memorable train ride which takes you along the highest railway crossing in the Alps, providing an ideal viewpoint for soaking in the best views of Switzerland's crystal lakes and stunning mountain peaks.

There's a return trip on the Gornergrat Railway included too, treating you to the most breathtaking views of the towering Matterhorn in the whole country.

Reasons to book

Meet Michael Portillo

Stay in sleek four-star hotels

Travel on first-class rail

Bernina Express

Glacier Express

See the mighty Matterhorn

Your expert guide.

Price includes

• Six nights' four-star hotel accommodation on a half board basis (please note most meals provided are a set menu)
• First-class rail from the UK and throughout your holiday (excluding the Gornergrat)
• Talk, Q&A and excursion with Michael Portillo
• Journey on the Gornergrat Mountain Railway
• Journey on the Glacier Express
• Journey on the Bernina Express
• Scenic rail journey through the Rhine Gorge
• Overseas transfers as detailed
• Services of a tour manager throughout

Availability

You'll depart London by Eurostar Premier in the morning and head towards Geneva by first-class rail for an overnight stay, ahead of your journey into the Alps tomorrow.

On arrival in Geneva, you'll check in for the night at the four-star Hotel Bristol Geneva. You'll have dinner with the group at a local restaurant before settling in for a good night's sleep.

Today, a first class rail journey will take you alongside the shores of Lake Geneva and into the mountainous heart of Switzerland.

You'll be greeted by the sight of the mighty Matterhorn as you arrive into Zermatt by train, where you will stay for two nights. You won't need to worry about bringing your luggage, just pack a bag for the day, as your bags will be transported via road to Zermatt, and will be waiting for you on arrival.

You'll spend two nights at the lovely four-star Hotel Mirabeau in Zermatt on a half board basis.

You'll have a full day to enjoy Zermatt today, including a return trip on the Gornergrat Railway in standard class from which you will enjoy outstanding views of the Matterhorn at 3,089m above sea level.

This afternoon you'll be joined by Michael Portillo for an exclusive talk and Q&A, followed by an early dinner.

Today it's all aboard the 'slowest express train in the world' for a spectacular ride. The Glacier Express trundles at 24mph for 181 miles towards your base for the next two nights, St Moritz. At that pace there is plenty of time for you to take in the ever-changing scenery, including the magnificent Landwasser Viaduct, perfectly framed by the train's large-scale windows.

You'll have a first-class ticket for the iconic train, as you travel from Zermatt to St Moritz, which Includes a delicious three-course meal served at your seat. All dishes are lovingly and freshly prepared on board every day using carefully selected regional produce.

When you arrive at St Moritz your luggage will be waiting for you in your room at the four-star Hotel San Gian St Moritz, where you'll stay for two nights on a half board basis.

During your stay in St Moritz, you'll have a round-trip to Tirano and back on the glorious Bernina Express, where you'll be spellbound as you watch the Swiss mountains and lakes give way to Italian greenery.

This remarkable train and the surrounding countryside was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, and it's not difficult to see why. It twists and turns ever upwards towards the summit at Ospizio Bernina, at 7,400 feet. You loop around the Bernina Alps, through 55 tunnels and over 196 bridges, past the chic resort of St Moritz and just across the border to Tirano.

Today's first-class train journey makes the most of some of Europe's prettiest views as you skirt the edges of Lakes Wellensee and Zurich, before sweeping through the beautiful Rhine Gorge and following the river to Königswinter, where you'll check in at four-star Maritim Hotel Königswinter

Here you can spend your final evening in an enchanting setting admiring the beautiful Drachenfels, which rises up over the town.

Today you will make your way back to London by rail as your Swiss adventure comes to an end.

Accommodation

Hotel Bristol Geneva

With elegant Art Deco inspired interiors and a fabulous location on the Square du Mont-Blanc, this four-star boutique hotel has been voted one of the best in Geneva and has a spa and wellness centre.

Hotel Mirabeau, Zermatt

Conveniently located just minutes from Zermatt’s main train station, Hotel Mirabeau Zermatt is a peaceful haven offering breathtaking views of the Matterhorn (Matterhorn view bedrooms at a supplement). Facilities at the hotel include a hot tub, fitness centre, sauna, indoor pool, spa.

Hotel San Gian, St Moritz

The four-star Hotel San Gian combines charm, cosiness and elegance. It has large and luxurious rooms and a modern spa.

Maritim Hotel, Königswinter

This lovely four-star hotel is located in Königswinter, right on the bank of the Rhine and bordering the elegant city of Bonn.

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THE ART OF INTELLIGENT TRAVEL ORGANISING

• Michael Portillo’s train journey to Sicily rail tour

Tailormade tour Michael Portillo’s train journey to Sicily rail tour Italy

6 nights/7 days

Lucerne • Milan • Naples • Taormina

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Available year-round subject to the opening period of the hotels, from £2,780 per person.

Luxury rail tailormade holiday in the footsteps of Michael Portillo to Sicily.

This 6-night rail holiday follows in the footsteps of a rail tour taken by Michael Portillo, as shown on television, and takes you the length of Italy, north to south, to Sicily. You stay in the two contrasting cities of Milan and Naples but also enjoy some spectacular, scenic rail journeys as you cross the Alps by train on the Gotthard route, follow the rugged coast south of Naples through Basilicata and Calabria to the toe of Italy where you cross the Strait of Messina in your train on the ferry. Your outward journey is a day-time journey, first from London to Paris on the Eurostar and then a fast train to Lucerne, with a change in Basel. You have one night on Lake Lucerne and some free time the next morning before your rail holiday continues south, crossing the Gotthard and reaching Milan, where you again spend one night. There is time in Milan for sightseeing or an evening visit to La Scala perhaps. The next day brings you south of Rome to the great city of Naples in the shadow of Mount Vesuvio. After a stunning, scenic journey as you follow the coast south to the toe of Italy, through the landscape of Basilicata and Calabria, your train boards the ferry to cross the Strait of Messina. Your destination is Sicily and the delightful town of Taormina, perched above the sea and enjoying breath-taking views across to Mount Etna. In Taormina you have two days to enjoy the southern climate, explore the fascinating Greco-Roman amphitheatre, browse the local shops selling leather, wrought iron, wine and locally produced food stuffs. It is also easy enough to take the cable car from Taormina to the beach at Taormina Mare below. You return home from Catania by air into London Gatwick. In just six nights you really have travelled quite a distance and witnessed a heady mix of different cultures and scenery. Perhaps ask us to add some time in any of the places along the way as we plan the holiday for you?

Lucerne • Gotthard pass rail journey • Milan • Opera at La Scala • Naples • Visit the Archaeological Museum • Train crossing the Strait of Messina • Taormina

Begin your rail holiday to Sicily by departing from London by Eurostar to Paris just before 08.00 hrs. Transfer from the Gare du Nord to the Gare de Lyon by taxi where up board the high-speed TGV train to Basel and then onwards to Lucerne where you arrive at around 19.00 hrs. Your hotel is in the centre of this charming city, and there is a choice of restaurants within walking distance.

The so-called City of Light is a bubble of cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as a place of rich, historic significance. Spend the morning wandering down the pretty streets, taking in the individuality of the boutique shops and quaint cafes. A highlight of your stay in Lucerne will be walking along the Chapel Bridge and seeing the Water Tower. Leave Lucerne at about midday to continue by train to Venice on the Intercity service. The journey takes you along Lake Lucerne, before climbing to pass through the Alps by the Gotthard train tunnel which links Fluelen to Bellinzona in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. From here it’s a short distance to the Italian border at Chiasso. Arrive in Milan late afternoon for one night with time to explore the shopping streets, visit the Cathedral or enjoy a performance at La Scala.

You can take a train from Milan Centrale at about 10.00 hrs to reach Naples at about 14.30 hrs. Your train takes you past Bologna, Florence and Rome. You are met at the station and transferred to your hotel by private car. After checking-in there is time to spend the rest of the day sightseeing, perhaps visiting the Archaeological Museum with its priceless display of the artefacts from Pompeii and Herculaneum.

You leave Naples behind just before 10.00 hrs to travel by train to Taormina-Giardini, following the dramatic coast south through Campania, Basilicata and Calabria and reaching the Strait of Messina where your train boards the ferry for the crossing to Sicily. Arrive into Taormina-Giardini station in the late afternoon and then you are transferred by private car to your hotel in nearby Taormina.

You have two full days included in Taormina. The town stands at an altitude of 250m above sea level and forms a perfect balcony overlooking the sea towards Mount Etna. A popular destination, it is renowned for its peaceful atmosphere, beautiful monuments and tranquil gardens. Taormina has a rich and extensive history; its Teatro Antico di Taormina is the second largest amphitheatre in Sicily, harking back to Taormina’s origins as a Greek ‘polis’. The Botanic Gardens of Villa Comunale offer a number of exotic and shady pathways for an afternoon stroll, as well as several intriguing structures that make up the villa complex. The Gothic Badia Vecchia is the town’s former abbey, and its design has been heavily influenced by Arabian and Norman art, much like the Palazzo Duchi di Santo Stefano. The Palazzo Corvaja was part of the town’s reinforced defences and was built in the style of Abraham’s first temple in God’s name. Alternatively, the Palazzo Ciampoli exemplifies the town’s medieval history. You can visit the beach at Taormina Mare, reached by cable car from the town centre. For those searching for the perfect souvenir, we recommend the pedestrianised Corso Umberto as it is lined with shops selling hand-made ceramics, fine leather, Sicilian wines, and wrought iron and wooden products. There are lots of restaurants in Taormina, within easy walking distance of your hotel.

Depending on the time of your return flight, you may have the morning free for last-minute shopping or photography before your private car transfer to Catania, which takes about an hour, and the flight to London.

Special offers for this holiday>

What particularly impresses us each time we use your services is that ‘what we expect we get’ eg car hire, rooms selected, all with no hassle. Not sure how you do it!!

Holiday price guide Price from £2,780 per person based on two people sharing a double room including second class rail travel. Supplement about £380 per person for first class rail travel.

Holiday Code ITBR07

Call us on 01392 441245

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Our prices include ● Second-class travel on all trains, with standard class on Eurostar (first and standard premier can be booked at a supplement) ● Private car transfers in Taormina, station to hotel and back to Catania airport ● Private car transfers in Naples, station to hotel and back to station ● Flight with British Airways one way from Catania to London Gatwick, Euro traveller ● 1 night’s bed and breakfast in a Classic room at the Hotel Wilden Mann in Lucerne ● 1 night’s bed and breakfast in a Superior room at the Hotel De La Ville in Milan ● 1 night’s bed and breakfast in a Standard room at the Grand Hotel Parker's in Naples ● 3 nights’ bed and breakfast in a Superior room with sea view at the Hotel Villa Belvedere in Taormina ● Concierge service and Expressions Holidays regional helpful hints

Our prices do not include ● Early check-in or late check-out at any hotels (although we can arrange this on request at additional cost) ● Any other services not mentioned above, such as transfers and meals except breakfast at hotels ● Personal holiday insurance. This is essential and cover should be in place from when you book the holiday. ● Local tourist tax, usually between Euros 1 and 3 per person per night, and payable locally to the hotel ● Transfers in Paris, Lucerne and Milan

Hotel Wilden Mann is a 4-star boutique hotel in an excellent central location. With gourmet cuisine and stylish, comfortable accommodation, the 500 year-old hotel balances its historic and old-world style with elegance and modern facilities.

Classic room

The Hotel Schweizerhof Luzern is a grand 5-star hotel with an imposing history situated on the shores of Lake Lucerne.

Style double city view room

Hotel de la Ville is a cosy, refined 4-star hotel in an excellent central location. Delicious cuisine, excellent wellness centre and a soothing rooftop pool with views of the Duomo make it an idyllic haven from the bustle of Milan.

Superior room

The Grand Hotel Parker’s is an exclusive, traditional 5-star hotel commanding fantastic views of Naples.

Standard room

Hotel Villa Belvedere is a delightful 4-star hotel boutique hotel with enchanting views of Mount Etna and the sea. The beautiful gardens and idyllic terrace make it an ideal spot to relax and recuperate after exploring historic Taormina.

Superior room with sea view

The Belmond Grand Hotel Timeo is a 5-star luxury hotel with spectacular island views. An iconic place to stay in Taormina. Excellent spa facilities, gourmet cuisine and proximity to Sicily's famous landmarks such as Mount Etna offer guests a tranquil and indulgent experience.

Classic room - prices on request

Special offers

Call to make your booking and save an extra £50 per adult Call us instead of emailing us when you are thinking of booking a holiday and save an extra £50 per adult (in addition to any special offers that might be available). We want to talk to you to discuss your requirements and a phone call is usually the best way for you to define what you want enabling us to respond more accurately. We want to talk to you and you save an extra £50 per adult.

About Sicily

An Expressions tailor-made holiday in Sicily allows visitors to discover a unique and captivating island. The rich tapestry of Mediterranean history can be witnessed on the southerly island of Sicily, fascinating not only for its amazing blend of cultures including Greek, Arab, Byzantine and Norman and its architectural treasures which reflect these influences but also for its breath-taking scenery of coast, parched mountains and fertile groves of almonds, oranges, lemons and olives. The people are proud and independent, reserved but sincere and helpful. Traditions thrive to an extent that the atmosphere of Sicily is unrecognisable in the context of other parts of Italy further north. The towns and villages are contrasting with picture postcard scenes of mediaeval labyrinthine alleyways adorned by wrought-iron balconies and baskets of flowers or severe dilapidation punctuated by grand Baroque or austere Norman cathedrals and churches. Additionally, there are of course some of the most important sites of the ancient Greek world such as the temples at Agrigento, the theatre at Taormina and numerous relics at Siracusa, reputedly one of the most beautiful cities of the Greek world. High above the island looms Mount Etna, one of the largest volcanoes in the world and an awe-inspiring sight. Off the north coast of Sicily, the beautiful Aeolian Islands offer escape and remoteness, natural scenery and a startling light, a sleepy way of life and romantic isolation. A holiday in Sicily appeals for those who want typical rest and relaxation with cultural activities at hand, and for those who want to be more adventurous and experience more of this captivating island.

Highlights of Sicily

An ascent of Mount Etna, partly by car and then further on foot (guides available) through the luxuriant vegetation which includes oranges and lemons, bougainvillaea and poinsettias and then higher up the groves of walnuts, cherries, almonds, pistachios and vines. Palermo is known for its street markets, especially Vucciria and Ballaro, where traders and hawkers, pickpockets and shoppers converge amongst narrow streets and stalls of wares. See the traditional costumes and dialect of Piana degli Albanesi, where Albanians settled in the 15th Century. Revel in the splendid site of Taormina above the sea with views to Etna. Local crafts include cork, ceramics, honey, embroidery, raffia. Enjoy the calm and remoteness of the Aeolian Islands with their clear waters, beautiful scenery and peaceful way of life. Enjoy the gardens of the Villa Giulia in Palermo and the Public Gardens in Taormina.

Cultural highlights of Sicily

Palermo contains some of the greatest Arab-Norman buildings in existence - San Giovanni degli Eremiti, the Palazzo Reale with its striking Cappella Palatina and La Martorana. Monreale outside Palermo is the greatest work of Norman architecture in Sicily and contains beautiful 12th and 13th Century mosaics and cloisters. The Doric temples of the 5th Century BC in the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento. Cefalu has the `Portrait of a Man` by Antonello da Messina, dating from 1465 in its Museo Mandralisca.

Festivals in Sicily

Many Sicilian local festivals are linked to Saints’ Days. A few of the most well-known festivals generally include Carnival celebrations in Taormina and Acireale. Easter is celebrated especially in Trapani, Marsala and Piana degli Albanesi. Messina celebrates Ferragosto on the 15th August with a firework display over the Straits. The Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore takes place in Agrigento in the first and second weeks of February to celebrate the almond blossom. Taormina Arte is a summer festival of music, cinema, ballet and theatre, held in the Greek theatre. The Palio dei Normanni takes place in Piazza Armeria in August.

Gastronomy in Sicily

The gastronomy of Sicily, like much of the culture of the island, has been heavily influenced by its history. Cuscus is a Sicilian version of couscous, and marzipan features heavily in sweets. Local produce includes citrus fruits, almonds, capers, olives, peppers and fish. Local specialities include Maccheroni con le sarde (pasta with sardines, fennel, raisins, pine nuts and saffron), Pesce spada (grilled sword fish), 'alla Siciliana' with capers, red peppers and herbs. Cassata is a popular dessert made with ricotta, candied fruit and pistachios and Cannoli are almond biscuits stuffed with ricotta. Sicily produces a variety of red and white wines including Corvo di Salaparuta and Etna, Marsala and Malvasia.

About Milan

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Milan is a chance to experience Italy’s second largest city, renowned for being the economic and industrial hub of the country. Over the last century Milan has grown considerably to encompass a huge swathe of suburban manufacturing and industrialised districts making it one of the most cosmopolitan areas within Italy. However, the historic centre is easily manageable either on foot or by the comprehensive metro system and the atmosphere is sophisticated and not nearly as Mediterranean as other Italian cities. Milan is renowned for its fashion and shopping is this is certainly one past time that people visit for; it is easy to spot the elegant Italian and foreign visitors with their designer shopping bags!

Highlights of Milan

The magnificent Duomo is the world’s largest Gothic cathedral and was started in 1386, taking almost five centuries to complete. A visit to the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie, which houses Leonardo Da Vinci’s Last Supper is a must, but be sure to book tickets in advance. The city’s opera house, La Scala, is one of the world’s most renowned opera houses and is host to the most famous opera singers, conductors and orchestras in the world

Cultural highlights of Milan

La Scala, The Duomo, The Piazza Duomo, The Convento di Santa Maria delle Grazie, The Galleria di Vittorio Emanuele II, The Castello Sforzesco.

Festivals in Milan

The festival of Sant’Ambrogio, the city’s patron saint is on 7 December and there are processions, fairs and festivities throughout the capital. The Festa Del Naviglio is held in the first ten days of June and sees numerous processions and street performances. The Opera season at La Scala runs historically from the festival of Sant’Ambrogio in December through to July, but of course there are concerts and performances on all the time, apart from in August, when it is generally closed.

Gastronomy in Milans

Milan lends its name to many regional specialities such as Risotto alla Milanese, Cotolleta alla Milanese, Minestrone alla Milanese, but is also home to the traditional Panettone Christmas cake. The cuisine of Lombardy tends to be hearty and meat based, such as Ossobuco (oxtail), but there are excellent vegetable and sea food ‘fritto misto’ dishes too. Wines of the region are generally from the Franciacorta wine growing region near Lake Iseo and the area is principally known for its sparkling wines.

About Naples

An Expressions tailor-made holiday to Naples is a gateway to the south of Italy or ‘mezzogiorno’ and offers a completely different atmosphere to even Rome, which is only a couple of hours away. The hustle and bustle of daily life is partly due to the fact that it is a major sea port and the city has therefore grown up around the trades that have made it prosper. But with the distant shadow of Mount Vesuvius about 5 miles away, always visible from the city, an element of risk or danger creeps into the psyche of the Neapolitans. Not that the volcano poses a direct danger currently, as it has not erupted since 1946 and none of its eruptions have been as severe as that which smothered Pompeii and Herculaneum back in AD79. The pace of life in Naples is punctuated by the eclectic mix of cars, moped, lorries and livestock all jostling for position on the busy streets. Naples is the perfect place to start or end a tour of the southern coast and is well worth a few days stay. A visit to the Archaeological Museum is an absolute must for anyone planning on visiting Pompeii and Herculaneum, as it houses most of the artefacts salvaged from these sites.

Highlights of Naples

It is easy to take the hydrofoil from Naples port to the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida. Please ask our reservations team for more details. There is a good rail service along the coast to Herculaneaum, Pompeii, Sorrento and beyond. For those who are looking for a spot of physical activity it is also possible to scale Mount Vesuvius. A bus service runs from outside the station at Herculaneum up to within a couple of hours walk from the crater.

Cultural highlights of Naples

The Museo Archeologico Nazionale, the Palazzo Reale di Capodimonte and the gallery of the Museo Nazionale di Capodimonte. which has numerous works of art by Perugino, Botticelli, Lippi and Brueghels. The Castle of Sant’Elmo at the top of the hill overlooking the old city of Naples is an impressive 14th Century fortification, still partially in use today.

Festivals in Naples

Naples hosts numerous music festivals and art exhibitions throughout the summer months. The city’s Saint, San Gennaro, is celebrated on the first Saturday in May and again in mid-September and mid-December, when the preserved blood of the saint is said to miraculously liquefy. Being the home of the Margherita Pizza, there is, of course, a Pizza Festival which lasts for ten days in September. Pizza chefs or ‘Pizzaiuoli’ from around Italy congregate in Naples to out wit each other in the perfecting the art of pizza-making!

Gastronomy in Naples

The world-renowned Pizza comes from Naples and the local pizzerias serve some of the best tasting pizzas you are likely to ever sample! Locally caught fresh sea food is also superb and does not need to be expensive. Simple, fresh ingredients, particularly tomatoes, aubergines, peppers and large varieties of fruit are grown locally and are superb.

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Luxury, bespoke holidays to Naples including hotel stays, multi-centre stays, touring holidays and special interest holidays. By air, car and train.

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Grand rail tours of Switzerland cover the length and breadth of Switzerland and include stops in Swiss cities, mountain resorts and on alpine lakes. They are about 10 days’ long but can be adapted and most include iconic trains such as the Glacier Express or the Bernina Express.

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Luxury, bespoke holidays to Italy from the Alps to Sicily including hotel stays, multi-centre stays, touring holidays and special interest holidays. Stay in grand hotels, country resorts, palazzi and villa-hotels.

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Michael Portillo: Switzerland’s Glacier Express is one of the most awe-inspiring train journeys in the world

Renowned train enthusiast Michael Portillo takes Switzerland’s Glacier Express from St Moritz to Zermatt in ‘Excellence Class’

I have just taken my seat on the Glacier Express and, before the train has departed, my champagne has already been served. It arrives not in a flute but a saucer, that wide flat glass I associate with Audrey Hepburn movies. It’s a hint that I’m in for an old-fashioned experience of gracious luxury. 

The Glacier Express is an experience in itself 

This is a train whose panoramic design, with windows extending into the roof line, tells you that you’ll enjoy scenic wonders. Without them we could not fully enjoy the Rhine Gorge. As the train climbs towards the river’s source, the glacial blue torrent chases through a chasm. We see its rocky walls through the glass roof rising sheer up to 300m – white, jagged and awe-inspiring. This is Switzerland’s Grand Canyon.

The train has departed from St Moritz, birthplace of winter sports and host of the first two Winter Olympic Games. Passengers boarding there are soon gasping at the feats of engineering involved in building the line at the beginning of the last century. It descends through corkscrew turns and then curves around the Landwasser viaduct, where a single track perches on six limestone arches rising 65m. This is the most iconic image of the route, the photograph that attracts rail travellers from every continent.

A narrow gauge railway can negotiate tight bends, and we often see our bright red locomotive snaking ahead of us, sometimes powering upwards, now plunging and lunging on the downslopes. The many keen photographers on board are ecstatic.

There are 291 bridges and 91 tunnels on the 291km route of the Glacier Express. This train journey is not just about moving between two beautiful Swiss villages. It is an experience, what now we call a “destination” in itself. Speed is the least of our concerns: the “express” averages just over 42km per hour. There is no reason to rush the scenery, and certainly not our lunch.

‘Excellence class’- a ticket that surpasses first class

After Chur the altimeter in the carriage shows us passing 1,000m, and now it is snowing hard and the valley is blindingly white. The Glacier Express has been running since 1930, and traditionally had three classes. Recently, that state of affairs has been reinstated with the introduction of an Excellence Class that trumps first class. There are single seats on either side of the aisle, and each passenger is supplied with a tablet computer that shows and explains the route, and offers a selection of music. A bar at one end of the car is promisingly adorned with ice buckets of bubbly.

“Guests” may enjoy a seven-course meal during the six-hour journey between two of Switzerland’s most spectacular Alpine resorts, St Moritz and Zermatt. Being ascetic by nature, I settle for just a mint soup, a Swiss beef tenderloin and a plate of cheeses. The crockery, glassware, linen and service are exquisite. The menu is long and detaining. The excellent food and still wines are sourced along the route, and they have been prepared with care and pride.

Explore Switzerland's mountain scenery by rail on an exclusive tour and meet Michael Portillo (from £3,649).

So, I make my way to the kitchen to thank the chef, Sebastian, for my lunch. I find him in a narrow galley where he’s spent much of his past 31 years. A huge pot of spaghetti carbonara that will shortly feed the crew stands on the hob, and it’s on the griddle next to it that he’s cooked my steak to medium-rare perfection. 

Michael's Swiss railway adventure in pictures

Panoramic views provide majestic sights of swizterland along the railway.

At Disentis we stop to change engines, because we need a cog locomotive to climb through 2,000m, and then to control our descent on the other side. Once underway again we pass tiny villages, each dominated by its church tower, run alongside coloured poles that mark the roads that are used in summer but now lie buried beneath the snow, and skirt the ski slopes. We edge past cable cars and winter sports enthusiasts.

I am delighted to be seeing Switzerland in winter, as an icy wonderland; but in spring I would have the joy of wild flowers , in summer the cattle would be in the high pastures, and in autumn the foliage would burst with colours. It’s debatable which is best. 

The old railway line used to climb up through the Furka Pass. The journey took much longer then, and the route was not usable in winter. In 1982, Switzerland opened one of its longest tunnels at this point, stretching 15km. The Glacier Express disappears into the subterranean darkness. But for those who miss the old days, steam services still pant up to the pass, but only in summer.

In the vicinity of the Aletsch Glacier, after Fiesch, I glimpse an extraordinary sight. About 70m directly below my train to the left, a rail viaduct crosses at right angles to the track that we are on. How can we possibly descend to there? As I form the question, the Glacier Express enters a tunnel that veers sharply to the right, propelling us through a 270-degree spiralling turn, delivering us neatly on to the viaduct.

The train terminates in Zermatt. The Matterhorn, whose horn is famously crooked, the most iconic Alp, presides over the little town. The enthusiast can now ascend towards it, rising to 3,100m, on the Gornergrat railway. 

I end my journey on the Glacier Express musing that it is still possible to step into a bygone age: to experience elegance and excellence.

Read about  the rest of Michael's trip  where he celebrates the majesty of Zurich, embraces the way Swizterland works so hard for its visitors and ventures into Lausanne.

Discover Switzerland

Switzerland is easily reachable via train from London or by  Swiss International Air Lines . And once you land, the famously efficient public transport will take you to the regions you want to visit by train, bus or boat using the  Swiss Travel Pass , available from the  Switzerland Travel Centre .

Discover Switzerland for yourself at  myswitzerland.com  and find out more about the  Grand Train Tour . 

Book your own Grand Train Tour itinerary here (from £880).

To purchase Glacier Express Excellence Class tickets and for further information, Click here (from £249).

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Ballarena to Giant's Causeway

Michael Portillo is on Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast to begin a railway journey that takes him along the north and east coasts of Ireland through the provinces of Ulster and Leinster.

Beginning on the windswept shores of Loch Foyle, he investigates the 17th-century origins of Ireland's sectarian divide, braves choppy seas to join an archaeological expedition, meets local teenagers learning about their costal home, and surveys the spectacular basalt landscape of the Giant’s Causeway.

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Join Michael Portillo on an unforgettable journey aboard the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express

Looking for the ultimate bucket-list holiday ? Well, we've got the trip for you.

While there are plenty of unique experiences available, such as an icy expedition to Antarctica and a glamorous trip to Venice with James Martin , anyone in search of one-of-a-kind luxury will want to read all about our exclusive journey on the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express with Michael Portillo.

RIDE THE ORIENT EXPRESS WITH GH

On this very special Good Housekeeping tour , taking place in March 2025, you'll start by spending three nights in Venice , immersing yourself in Venetian life and discovering the delights of the city. You might choose to visit famous landmarks like St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace or hidden gems , like the pretty Ponte de Chiodo or the island of San Michele.

You will be joined for parts of the once-in-a-lifetime adventure by journalist, presenter, and former politician Michael Portillo. Michael is passionate about rail travel , and has presented several documentaries for the BBC about train lines all around the world.

For his documentary series Great Continental Railway Journeys, he travelled on parts of the original Orient Express route. This will be his first time travelling on the train itself, and he'll mingle with guests over drinks and canapés, sharing anecdotes about his life and career and his insights on historic rail travel.

Discover Venetian life

With three days in Italy's City of Water, you will have plenty of time to discover all that Venice has to offer.

There will be two full days for you to explore the city at your own pace, wandering alongside its elegant canals and spotting famous landmarks like St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace as gondoliers bob by on the water.

Or perhaps you'll choose to immerse yourself more deeply into Venetian life by visiting a mask atelier or a gondola workshop. The choice is yours on this trip, with no set activities except for a very special event to look forward to on your third evening.

FIND OUT MORE

A rail experience like no other

This trip is the ultimate luxury rail holiday. You'll start your trip in a sumptuous four-star hotel in the centre of Venice, perfectly placed for acquainting yourself with the city's many excellent restaurants and swish bars.

But it's the moment you step on board the exquisite Venice Simplon-Orient-Express that the true five-star experience begins. On this historic train, no detail is overlooked. You'll be greeted by liveried stewards who will show you to your cabin in one of the meticulously restored 1920s carriages.

Later, join Michael and your fellow guests as you take a seat in the plush dining carriage. This is where you will sip on sommelier-selected wines before enjoying a four-course seasonal menu, freshly prepared by expert chefs as the train makes its way through Italy and France .

After dinner, you may choose to gather in Bar Car ‘3674’ for an evening of cocktails and conversation before retiring to your cabin for a night between crisp damask sheets and fine blankets.

Exclusive events with Michael Portillo

Enjoy the company of our very special guest on this tour. On your third night in Venice, you can attend an exclusive talk with Michael Portillo, whose love of railway travel will make for a lively and engaging evening at your hotel.

As you enjoy a drinks reception and a delicious three-course meal with wine, Michael will give his insightful presentation, preparing you for the following day's adventure on board the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express.

Michael will also join you on the train, mingling with guests during dinner and drinks and sharing more insights about his rail travel experiences.

What's included?

Flights from London Heathrow to Venice (regional flights available at a supplement)

Private transfers from the airport to the hotel

Three nights bed and breakfast at a hotel in Venice

Drinks reception on the third night

Three-course set menu group dinner with Michael Portillo with local wine, water and coffee included

Overnight journey on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express in Historic Twin Cabins with all meals, wine with lunch and dinner and dedicated steward service included, upgrades available at a supplement

Group transfer from Paris Austerlitz to Paris Nord

Eurostar in Standard Premier Class back to London (flights available on request at a supplement)

Want to ride in luxury from Venice to Paris with Michael Portillo? Visit our holiday website for all the details about Good Housekeeping's exclusive journey on the Venice-Simplon-Orient-Express and information on how to book.

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