Michael Portillo’s grand Scandinavian rail adventure reaches its terminus this Friday on BBC Two. In the final leg of his journey, “Roskilde to Copenhagen,” Portillo traverses the impressive Great Belt Bridge, a marvel of engineering that connects the Danish islands. But before he reaches the vibrant capital, there’s history to uncover and culture to absorb.
Roskilde, once a bustling Viking trading center, offers Portillo a chance to dive into the world of Norse seafarers. He even takes a spin in a replica Viking longship, a journey that likely provided more thrills than spills. From seafaring adventures, he moves to exploring the Danish concept of “hygge” in Copenhagen. Expect cozy cafes and a search for the essence of Danish contentment.
The episode also makes a stop in Allerod, a town renowned for its furniture design legacy. Portillo examines iconic Danish chairs, some still in production today, a testament to the enduring appeal of good design. And no trip to Denmark would be complete without a visit to Kronborg Castle, the imposing fortress immortalized in Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
“Great Continental Railway Journeys” airs Friday, March 21st at 6:30 PM on BBC Two.
