About this season
The mere mention of the Orient Express brings to mind evocative images of opulent carriages, stylish passengers and thrilling destinations all wrapped up in the romance of train travel. Jonathan Phang, a self-confessed bon viveur with a passion for gastronomy, feels the allure of old world glamour and sets off on a gourmet journey crossing continents aboard some of the world’s most elegant trains. Along the way he stops off in extraordinary culinary destinations, such as Venice, Paris and Istanbul to explore some modern fine dining. However, it is aboard the fabulous trains that Jonathan truly tests the old adage that sometimes it can be better to travel than to arrive.
Episodes (6)
1. The Royal Scotsman – The Highlands
Aired 11 April 2015
Jonathan travels the beautiful highlands of Scotland on the iconic Belmont Royal Scotsman.
2. The Canadian – Vancouver to Jasper
Aired 18 April 2015
Jonathan takes the trip of a lifetime from the beautiful coastal city of Vancouver across the spectacular Rocky Mountains to Jasper, an idyllic Canadian town set in a stunning national park.
3. The Canadian – Edmonton to Winnipeg
Aired 25 April 2015
In the second part of Jonathan’s North American adventure aboard the glamourous and retro The Canadian he leaves behind the Rockies and heads to the vast expanses of the prairies. But not before taking a walk on the wild side as a biker in bear country and making hemp crepes with fire cooked salmon in the holiday home of Royalty at the Outlook Cabin.
4. The Indian Pacific – Perth to Sydney
Aired 2 May 2015
Starting in Australia’s thriving cosmopolitan west coast city of Perth Jonathan lives like a true Aussie when he cooks prawns on the barbie with Chef Russell Blaikie, gets a little pick-me-up when he samples an expresso martini and pays homage to the area’s printing press history with Chef Shane Watson’s black and white menu.
5. The Spirit of Queensland – Cairns to Brisbane
Aired 9 May 2015
In Sydney Jonathan takes to the skies for a flying visit to picturesque Palm Springs in a sea plane where he samples the laid back beach life and delicious Patagonian tooth fish at word famous Jonah’s.
6. The Hiram Bingham – Cusco to Machu Picchu
Aired 16 May 2015
Jonathan fulfils a dream of a lifetime when he visits Peru’s Machu Picchu. But first he visits Lima, the gastronomic capital of South America and tries a range of traditional dishes and local foods with a modern twist.