Michael Portillo embarks on another picturesque railway adventure in “Great Continental Railway Journeys,” this time traversing the stunning landscapes of Switzerland. In this episode, airing Monday on BBC Two, Portillo’s 150-year-old Bradshaw’s guide leads him from the idyllic village of Maienfeld, known to many as the home of fictional character Heidi, to the dramatic Rhine Gorge, often called the Swiss Grand Canyon.
But this isn’t just a sightseeing tour. Portillo takes a detour to Davos, visiting the Hotel Schatzalp, a former sanatorium that that in the 19th-century was offering treatments for tuberculosis and other respiratory illnesses. He even partakes in a rather chilly snow and avalanche experiment at a specialist research institute, adding a touch of science to his historical journey.
The episode culminates at the Rhine Gorge, where Portillo explores the geological forces that shaped this natural wonder. Formed by a colossal landslide some 9,500 years ago – involving a staggering ten billion cubic meters of rock – the gorge stands as a dramatic testament to the power of nature.
“Great Continental Railway Journeys” airs on BBC Two at 18:30 on Monday, March 24th. This episode is number 11 of 20 in series 8.
