Great Alaskan and Canadian Railway Journeys
With his 1899 Appleton's guidebooks in hand, Michael Portillo makes tracks for new railway adventures in Alaska and Canada. From the snowy north to the coast of British Columbia and beyond, he hops aboard iconic trains and experiences the traditions and pastimes – old and new – that make this part of the world so unique.
With his 1899 Appleton's guidebooks in hand, Michael Portillo makes tracks for new railway adventures in Alaska and Canada. From the snowy north to the coast of British Columbia and beyond, he hops aboard iconic trains and experiences the traditions and pastimes – old and new – that make this part of the world so unique.


Michael Portillo learns what it took to build the Alaska Railroad, then explores Indigenous traditions and an iceberg...

Michael explores the pioneering spirit of early prospectors, joins scientists studying the Northern Lights and discovers...

Michael learns how huskies helped to build Alaska. He then heads to Vancouver, where he explores Stanley Park and...

Michael explores the colonial past of Victoria, helps to carve a 36-foot totem pole and finds out what bears like to eat...

Michael boards the world-famous Rocky Mountaineer for a magnificent journey to Banff. He then heads to Calgary, where he...

Michael explores an 18th-century British hilltop citadel in Halifax, then paddles along the Shubenacadie Canal before...

Michael investigates the world's biggest tides and samples the freshest oyster he's ever tasted, then boards the night...

Michael visits the beautiful basilica at Saint-Anne de Beaupre. He then explores the region north of the St. Lawrence...