In the vibrant, bustling Spanish capital Madrid, Michael enjoys an Ecuadorian feast, tries suckling pig at the world's oldest restaurant, and visits El Teatro Real opera house and the Royal Palace.

Michael explores historic Prague, from the castle to St Vitus Cathedral, samples a traditional Chlebicky open sandwich, and discovers a Soviet nuclear bunker at his hotel.

In Italy's capital of fashion, design and industry, Michael races fast cars, see the sites from the back of a 1960s Lambretta and learns the skills of Italian coffee making.

Michael Portillo explores Palermo, dining with a duchess, investigating Sicily's links to the Mafia and going off-road to discover an ancient wonder. He also witnesses the transformation of a 19th century palazzo and toasts a Hollywood legend.

Michael spends a weekend in the Portuguese capital, beginning by taking a tram through the city's narrow medieval streets to the historic district of Alfama, where he discovers the catastrophic consequences of an earthquake in 1755. He tries unusual delicacies at the Campo de Ourique food market, designs his own tile at a decorative ceramics factory and takes the helm of a yacht to sail to the elite resort of Cascais.