Great Alaskan and Canadian Railway Journeys

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

Michael explores the pioneering spirit of early prospectors, joins scientists studying the Northern Lights and discovers how photographers captured the beauty of Alaska's landscapes.

Michael learns how huskies helped to build Alaska. He then heads to Vancouver, where he explores Stanley Park and directs an Oscar-worthy scene in Hollywood North.

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

Michael explores an 18th-century British hilltop citadel in Halifax, then paddles along the Shubenacadie Canal before heading to PEI, where he encounters its famous red-haired resident.

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

Michael visits the beautiful basilica at Saint-Anne de Beaupre. He then explores the region north of the St. Lawrence before heading west aboard Canada's last trans-continental passenger line.

Deep in the Prairies, Michael learns how communities grew around grain elevators, digs into Indigenous history at an archaeological excavation and learns how to make a Saskatoon berry pie.

Michael travels back in time to experience the life of "les voyageurs," admires Edmonton's heritage street cars and discovers how the beaver, once slaughtered for its fur, is now pampered.