Seasons & episodes
1 season · 15 episodes
Episode 01
Halifax
Michael Portillo begins a new journey on the tracks of the ocean line to explore Canada's maritime provinces, en route to Quebec City. Clutching his 1899 Appleton's Guide to Canada, Michael begins in the Atlantic port of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he discovers an 18th-century British hilltop citadel, manned at the time of his guide by the 78th Highland Regiment.
Episode 02
Pictou to Prince Edward Island
Steered by his 1899 Appleton's Guide to Canada, Michael Portillo continues his journey through Canada's maritime provinces towards Quebec City. In the picturesque harbour town of Pictou, Nova Scotia, he discovers that the first wave of Scots to settle in New Scotland arrived on board a ship named Hector. Aboard a proud replica of the 18th-century vessel, he hears of their gruelling 11-week voyage across the Atlantic and is invited to join young dancers in a Scottish reel.
Episode 03
Springhill Junction to Moncton
Clutching his 1899 copy of Appleton's Guide to Canada, Michael Portillo travels on the Ocean train from Nova Scotia to New Brunswick. Along the way he investigates the world's biggest tide at Hopewell Rocks and admires its dramatic rock formations and caves.
Episode 04
Miramichi to Quebec City
Michael Portillo continues his rail adventure from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Quebec City, following his 1899 edition of Appleton's Guide to Canada. In the Acadian fishing village of Neguac, New Brunswick, he discovers sea-farmers are producing up to 15 million oysters a year. Michael takes to the water to investigate how it is done and is rewarded with a taste of the freshest mollusc he has ever sampled.
Episode 05
Saint-Anne de Beaupre to La Malbaie
Michael Portillo explores the Province of Quebec with his nineteenth-century Appleton's Guide to Canada. He takes the fabulously scenic Train de Charlevoix along the north bank of the mighty St Lawrence River to La Malbaie. Along the way, he discovers how a tiny shrine became a magnet for millions of pilgrims in search of miracles, where fashionable Victorians chose to spend their summers and how a unique family recipe from the old world has made a great grandson's fortune in the new.
Episode 06
Vancouver
Michael Portillo boards the Canadian Pacific Railway Engine 374 that linked the vast nation of Canada from the Atlantic to the Pacific in 1887.
Episode 07
Vancouver Island to San Juan Island
Michael Portillo explores British Columbia. He discovers how two superpowers nearly came to war over a pig.
Episode 08
Port Moody to Kamloops
Armed with his 1899 Appleton's Guide to Canada, Michael Portillo learns how to head off a charging bear in the wilderness of British Columbia.
Episode 09
Kamloops to Banff
Michael Portillo boards the Rocky Mountaineer to cross the backbone of the North American continent from Kamloops to the spa resort of Banff.
Episode 10
Calgary
Michael Portillo arrives in Calgary, Alberta. He saddles up with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, hears about their origins and learns about their role today.
Episode 11
Winnipeg
Michael Portillo travels across the vast Canadian Prairie on Canada's last trans-continental passenger line. Michael explores Winnipeg, the nation's chief railroad centre.
Episode 12
Portage La Prairie to Watrous
Michael Portillo explores the province of Saskatchewan. He learns how a middle-class British boy transformed himself into an 'indigenous' naturalist.
Episode 13
Saskatoon
Michael Portillo crosses the Great Plains of Canada by rail. In the cultural hub of Saskatoon he learns how to make a traditional Saskatoon berry pie.
Episode 14
Edmonton
Michael Portillo continues his thousand-mile rail journey from Winnipeg, Manitoba, to Jasper, Alberta. Michael explores a glossy, glassy oil-rich Edmonton.
Episode 15
Hinton to Jasper
Michael Portillo's rail journey reaches a dramatic scenic conclusion in the Rocky Mountains. Michael is awed by the scale of the vast Athabasca Glacier.
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