Great Continental Railway Journeys (2012)

Episode Overview

With his reliable 1913 Bradshaw's Continental Railway Guide in hand, Michael Portillo embarks on an adventure through the Balkans, exploring the most captivating stretch of the Orient Express route. His journey kicks off in Sofia, Bulgaria's capital, and includes visits to the historic city of Plovdiv, the Rumelia region, and Edirne, once the capital of the Ottoman Empire. Upon reaching Istanbul, Michael enjoys a scenic ride along the Bosphorus, learns about the delights of Turkish delight, and rides the Marmaray metro line, which links the European and Asian sides of the city through a tunnel under the Bosphorus.