Portugal with Michael Portillo

Portugal is fast becoming the go-to location for Brits to explore and spend their holidays. Portugal's rich and varied locations are attracting millions of us with its year-round sunshine and generous welcome. Now Michael takes us in search of its heart and soul, revealing the secrets of places we know well, and taking us to discover those we don't. Michael's journey begins in the country's cosmopolitan and vibrant second city, Porto. He discovers why it was recently voted the World's Best City Destination, combining sumptuous vistas and hidden neighbourhoods. His exploration takes him from a bustling food market in the neighbourhood of Bolhǎo to the Fontainhas district that powered Porto's Industrial Revolution, and also one of the city's many port lodges, where for centuries port wine has been stored and matured before it's shipped around the world. He also has a go at making a traditional handmade brush. 

Michael Portillo's journey continues in its oldest city, Braga, and its oldest town founded in 1125, Ponte de Lima. He's swept up in an evening of boisterous folk music and dancing at one of Portugal's biggest annual festivals - the Feiras Novas, which attracts up to a million revellers over three days. Michael then travels toBraga, with its ancient centre, and a spectacular shrine built into a mountain overlooking the city. Michael climbs the 573 steps to the top of the Bom Jesus shrine, before catching the world's oldest water-powered funicular railway to the city below. He also buys a side of salted cod, Portugal's national dish, for an evening's feast. Michael picks produce with renowned local chef Renato, before helping to cook a meal in Portuguese cast iron pots, over fire. His journey ends on the streets of Braga with belly dancers who have revived the ancient art. 

Continuing his journey through Portugal, Michael explores the Algarve beyond its famous beaches. He uncovers hidden history and secret places in between the bustling tourist hotspots, meets a fisherman who risks his life for goose barnacles, meets master coppersmith Loulé, and visits ancient Silves, where Islamic heritage is evident in its castle. He also explores Faro's bone chapel, and ends in Olhão, home to marine reserves and seahorses, before enjoying fresh oysters at a beach restaurant owned by expat and and her Portuguese husband.

Michael Portillo explores the subtropical island of Madeira, situated more than 500 miles off the coast of the Algarve. He learns how to cook espetada, a traditional barbecue dish, using a skewer made from the branch of a bay tree, meets an 83-year-old who operates the island's last surviving water mill and parties the night away with a Brazilian samba band and cocktails. He also learns of Britain's historic links to the island, as many families were drawn to Madeira in the 17th century to set up wine companies.

Michael Portillo's journey continues in two cities. He begins in Aveiro, a city of canals and brightly decorated boats, renowned as the Portuguese Venice. He enjoys the local food and discovers a historic connection between the city's patron saint, Princess Joanna, and England's King Richard III. He then drive to one of the country's most important cities, Coimbra. Portugal's first capital in 1139, it was once the centre of a mighty Roman province.

Michael Portillo's search for the real Portugal brings him to Sintra, once the playground of Portuguese royalty, until the end of the monarchy in 1910. Still a popular destination among tourists, its highlights include the 19th-century Pena Palace, the country's icon of Romanticism, which borrows from medieval and Islamic architecture. Michael also explores the cobbled backstreets, finding a historic bakery and the two cakes for the which the town is renowned - a small cheesecake called a queijada and an almond-cream-filled puff-pastry known as a travesseiro.