DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places The Southern Tyrol was in earlier times part of the Habsburg Empire, governed from Vienna, and ceded to Italy in 1919. The region remains largely German-speaking and enjoys a considerable degree of autonomy. Of particular interest are the rock-formations of the Dolomites and the many castles and fortified houses of the province. The tour shows two historic buildings, Scholss Velthurns and Schloss Runkelstein. The Music Music for the tour is by Mozart, born in Salzburg in 1756. With his father, Leopold Mozart, Vice-Kapellmeister in Salzburg, he made three notable visits to Italy, and on various occasions broke his journey at Bozen (Bolzano) and visited Brixen (Bressanone). The music heard here is the Posthorn Serenade, written in Salzburg in 1779, and the Notturno.

DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places The Places The Tuscan city of Siena has a long history and is the site of one of the earliest great Gothic churches of the region, instantly recognizable from the polychrome marble and sculptures of its façade. From Siena our tour goes to Pisa, where, inevitably, the famous leaning tower and its adjacent buildings are the centre of our attention. The tour ends with a visit to Nervi, a resort that is now part of the city of Genoa, and the Villa Luxoro, with its collections of objets d’art. The Music The Music Music for the tour is by Beethoven, with his Piano Concerto No 1, completed in 1795, and his first numbered Piano Sonata, one of a set of three, published in 1796 and dedicated to his teacher, Joseph Haydn.

DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places Our tour of Italy stars in Verona, with its reminiscences of Romeo and Juliet. Then to Florence, for some 300 years, from 1434, the seat of the powerful Medici family, whose artistic patronage has left an impressive cultural legacy. The tour ends in the south, with Naples, originally a Greek colony and later a Roman port, and then capital of a kingdom, ruled by Normans and later from Spain. Briefly a Habsburg possession, from 1734 it belonged to the Bourbons, before the unification of Italy in 1860. The Music Tchaikovsky stayed in Florence on two occasions in 1878, after the disaster of his marriage, hastily contracted, had led him to seek respite abroad. A visit to Rome in 1880 led to the composition of the Italian Capriccio and his opera The Queen of Spades was written in 1890 in Florence, recalled in the same year in his Souvenir de Florence. The other music heard here is the Fantasy Overture, Romeo and Juliet, written in 1869 and based on Shakespeare's play, set in Verona.

DVD. Sports Safaris. 30 Minutes. Less discovered than some of Italy’s most famous lakes, Garda is surrounded by cliffs and mountains as well as elegant villas and charming towns. Lake Garda is one of the premier windsurfing locations in all of Europe.The thrill of speed continues, as visitors can take a Funivia to the top of a 3,000 meter peak and mountain bike down to the base. Canyoning is a new activity in which guides take you on a rappelling and walking tour of rocky waterfalls, streams and mini lakes, but don’t forget your wetsuit!

DVD. Terra Mystica. 26 Minutes. On August 24th in 79 A.D., a massive volcanic eruption destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii, when millions of tons of lava instantly petrified the bodies of 2,000 of its inhabitants. Pompeii is the incarnation of a civilization that was destroyed by this natural disaster. Some of its underground corridors were accidentally discovered in 1594, but serious scientific excavation did not begin until the 18th century. Even today, more than one third of the city remains concealed beneath volcanic rock. Because of the airtight conditions beneath the lava, Pompeii is the most well preserved ancient city in the world with perfectly preserved streets and buildings that provide detailed information of the former living conditions, trade, commerce and art of Roman times. The lively city attempted to compete with Rome and offered its visitors and guests abundant luxury and diverse entertainments. The interiors of the buildings, with their magnificent reliefs, indicate the wealth and high living standards of Pompeii's elite.

Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. On August 24th in 79 A.D. a massive volcanic eruption destroyed the Roman city of Pompeii when millions of tons of lava instantly petrified the bodies of 2,000 of its inhabitants. Pompeii is the incarnation of a civilization that was destroyed by this natural disaster. Some of its underground corridors were accidentally discovered in 1594 but serious scientific excavation did not begin until the 18th century. Even today, more than one third of the city remains concealed beneath volcanic rock. Because of the airtight conditions beneath the lava, Pompeii is the most well preserved ancient city in the world with perfectly preserved streets and buildings that provide detailed information of the former living conditions, trade, commerce and art of Roman times. The lively city attempted to compete with Rome and offered its visitors and guests abundant luxury and diverse entertainments and the interiors of the buildings with their magnificent reliefs indicate the wealth and high living standards of Pompeii's elite.

Seven Shows: 3? hours, closed captioned, NTSC format, all region compatible. Here's where we'll take you... Venice: Serene, Decadent and Still Kicking -- Sorting through the monuments of magical Venice, we trace its decline from Europe's most powerful city to its most hedonistic. We cruise its main street -- the Grand Canal -- then get lost in its back lanes. We drink-in the art of Titian, Bellini, Donatello, and the Doge's Palace. We luxuriate in a venerable caf? on St. Mark's Square, enjoy calamari with locals in a canal-side pub, then find our own private Venice: on a gondola, under the moonlight. Venice Side-Trips: The Best of Veneto -- Pulling on hip boots, we settle into the muck of Venice, then take a speedboat tour of the lagoon. On the mainland, we head for Padova to tour a once-illegal anatomy theater and track the restoration of Giotto's Scrovegni Chapel. In Vicenza, we admire elegant Palladian-style streets and villas. In Verona, we climb the Roman arena, jostle with tourists to rub the brass breast of Juliet, and taste-test grappa before riding the train to Ravenna for its dazzling 1500-year-old mosaics. Milan and Lake Como -- No trip to Italy is complete without Milan and Lake Como. In Milan we'll take a peek at Italy's highest fashion, fanciest delis, grandest cemetery and greatest opera house...not to mention Leonardo's Last Supper. Then we'll cruise along Lake Como, settling down in the lakeside village of Varenna...classic honeymoon country, where Italy meets the Alps. Florence: City of Art -- We look into the eyes of Michelangelo's David and Botticelli's Venus, learn tricks for touring the Uffizi art gallery, and climb the amazing cathedral dome that kicked off the Renaissance. Then we immerse ourselves in the Florentine good life: visiting a fragrant 400-year-old perfumery, sipping Campari on a rooftop, chasing the sunset on a Vespa, and sleeping serenely in a converted monastery. Caesar's Rome -- Rome welcomes the new millennium spiffed up as never before. We tour Rome's ancient sights from the Forum and Colosseum to the glorious Pantheon. Then, after hiking the Appian Way and exploring the catacombs, we track down the best gelato in Rome. Rome: Baroque, After Dark -- After a pilgrimage to Michelangelo's Pieta, we climb to the top of St. Peter's Basilica. We seek out tucked-away Renaissance paintings and a cleverly-painted false dome. At the Borghese Gallery, it's exquisite sculptures by the master of marble, Bernini. Then we join the locals on an after-dark stroll, lacing together Rome's Baroque and bubbly nightspots. Naples and Pompeii -- Naples is Italy in the extreme. We'll prowl backstreet fish markets, dodge fast-moving Vespas, and dine on pizza where it was invented. We'll climb to the top of nearby Mount Vesuvius, then wander through the amazing ruins of Pompeii, the Roman town it destroyed.

Travel Video. DVD. Exploring. Surrounded by the crystalline waters of the Mediterranean, Sardinia is one of Italy's largest islands. Although the mainland lays claim to it, the people here maintain a distinct identity and culture that is solely their own. This show uncovers the essence of this unique island life, along the muraled walls in the politically charged town of Orgosolo, amidst the giant tombs of ancient Nuraghe ruins, beneath the surface of the wild Bosa coast and on the bustling beaches of San Teodoro. From open cockpit to freestyle kite surfing, harnessing the wind provides wild perspectives, and through the journey of past and present, an island of distinction unfolds. Experience the wonders beneath the wild Bosa Coast Harness the wind with Kitesurfers at La Cinta Fly formation over the unique Sardinian landscape Tour the tombs of the giants Take in the sounds of the Four Tenores Visit the muraled city of Orgosolo From the aerial view to the human perspective, Exploring Horizons travels off the beaten path to the remote corners of the world and finds those places where civilization moved in without taking over. Three stunning seasons cover a cross section of culture, adventure and amazing places that make up our global village.

DVD. Cities of the World. 60 Minutes. The second largest island of the Mediterranean managed to keep some of its natural, untouched beauty, which is more and more rare in modern Europe. Large herds of goat and sheep graze on the scarcely inhabited Campidoro plain. Here thearchaic patoral culture still lives on. In the Giara di Gesturi National Park, an herd of 1500 horses lives completely free. There are almost 8,000 `nurages', ancient megalithic stone buildings built around 2000 BC. The black diorite, polished by the sea and the wind, and the grey granite rocks, stand out ouf the blue sea. The island is covered with macchia, a fragrant bush, as well as myrtle, thyme, rosemary and lavender. The landscape is full of olive trees, cork, almond trees and grapes. The narrow alleys of the old towns are edged by Sardinian and Toscan style buildings. If we add to this the beautiful stalactite caves, the monuments of Cagliari, the wild coast of Costa Smeralda, and the magnificent beaches, we can say that Sardinia is a nature lover's paradise and a place for an idillic vacation.

Globe Trekker Video. The Mediterranean islands of Corsica, Sardinia and Sicily are the stepping stones between Europe and Africa. A mix of Italian, French and Moorish traditions visitors have long been attracted to the contrasting cultures and scenery of these three Mediterranean Islands. Traveler Ian Wright begins his journey on the French Island of Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon, where he enjoys a wealth of outdoor activities. He then sails to the Italian Island of Sardinia to celebrate the S'Ardia festival and witness the fine horsemanship of the locals. Ians final destination is the Island of Sicily where he cooks up a storm with a local pasta chef before ending his journey on top of Stromboli's smoking and lava spitting volcano. Along the way --- $_$_START_LIST ? Hike a rugged Corsican mountain range. ? Drive an old Fiat Topolino through the hills of Sardinia. ? See a wild horse race in a remote mountain community. ? Work for your passage on a luxury yacht across the Mediterranean. ? Enjoy the Festival of Saint Rosalia in Sicily as the city comes alive with lights and people are showered with rose petals. $_$_END_LIST

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. The Strada Delle Dolomiti that stretches across 109 kilometre across the mountain landscape of the Southern Tyrol is a superb and dramatic experience in any season. Past centuries-old farmhouses, mountain peaks tease the sky majestically and whether it's mountain climbing or hiking, the Dolomites offer something for everyone and for motorcars, cyclists and motorbikes, the mountain roads pose a real challenge. Three pinnacles are considered to be the essence of the Dolomites, namely the Western, Large and Small Pinnacle. The view of the three pinnacles is magnificent as Nature manifests itself as the petrified air of high altitude, the fickleness of the wind and the blinding light of eternal snow. Cortina D?Ampezzo is Italy's main alpine resort and visitors from all over the world holiday in this splendid town the centre of which has a good deal of old world charm and where the facades of its chalets and hotels are covered with frescos painted by great artists. The stretch of land from the Schl?terh?tte to the Gr?dner Joch has been described as "a pearl of a landscape". The route travels across small peaks and leads to a meadow of edelweiss and a mountain journey via cable car brings the steep mountain walls to within one's grasp. At the Giro d?Italia, the world's finest cyclists fight it out over several Dolomite passes. One of the laps crosses the highest point, the Pordoi Pass. For those who wish to spend some time here, there are several first class hotels, well-equipped Alpine chalets and comfortable guesthouses. The Dolomites have been granted the status of World Heritage Site by Unesco, a small section of Planet Earth that should be nurtured, quite rightly, as though it is a unique and rare work of natural art.

DVD. Nature Wonders. 10 Minutes. The Southern Tyrol is famous for its attractive natural scenery and in the Bolzano-Bozen region, there are many picturesque towns and fascinating places to visit. The region's Earth Pyramids, the 'Piramidi Di Terra', are a rare phenomenon. They are located outside Lengmoos, on the splendid high plateau of the Ritten. They are natural geological wonders, relics of the Late Ice Age when mighty glaciers deposited moraine loam up to 15 metres high. The Ritten region is particularly suited to the formation of the pyramids. Several groups are situated close to each other whereas others can be reached by scenic pathways. The enchanting region around Bolzano-Bozen is a captivating place and right up until the present day, the Southern Tyrol has managed to preserve a truly remarkable natural treasure.

Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. In the mountain area close to Palermo is the picturesque town of Monreale, a townscape that for more than eight hundred years has been dominated by a single building: Monreale Cathedral was built due to a struggle for power between the Bishop Of Palermo and the Norman King, William The Second. Architecturally, the cathedral possesses a wonderful harmony of styles including those of Norman, Romanic and Arabian. With the building of the cathedral and the elevation of the city to an archbishopric, William The Second had created a worthy competitor to Palermo Cathedral. The Norman cathedral and its adjacent cloister are two historical jewels that give a special significance to the small town of Monreale and the buildings proudly overlook their former rivals in the Sicilian metropolis of Palermo.

Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Glurns Glorenza is a small town in the Southern Tyrol. A written account of the town was first made in the 12th century, however, it only received its status as a Meinhardinic town in 1294. Today, the picturesque town has seven hundred inhabitants and even now enjoys certain privileges once granted to it by a royal prince. Shortly after the founding of the town around the end of the 13th century began the flowering period of the Tyrolean trading routes and commercial centres of the Middle Ages. In 1499 the outbreak of the Engadiner War shook Glurns. During the Battle of Calven on May 22nd., events took a turn for the worse. Constant hostilities between the Hapsburg and Swiss Confederation finally led to a great battle and the defeat of the royal troupes. The hostile farmers? army took the Hapsburg army by surprise, thus a massacre took place within the defenceless town. Approximately six thousand people were killed and a week later King Maximillian saw for himself the full extent of the catastrophic massacre. Throughout the centuries an impressive part of the Tyrol's moving history has been well preserved beyond the unique walls, towers and gates of Glurns Glorenza.

Passport to Adventure. The limestone peaks of the Dolomite mountains make for some of the most dramatic ski terrain in all of Europe. Hosts Mark Jennings &Julie Conover enjoy the slopes of the Sella Ronda, then board a helicopter to challenge themselves on one of the area's steepest chutes. Many of the local families have lived in the Sud Tirol for generations and cherish their way of life in these once remote mountain villages. Julie &Mark take a look at the time honored craft of wood carving and spend an afternoon with a local man who offers a touchingly personal perspective of World War One and the transition from Austrian to Italian rule. This journey through Northern Italy concludes with a visit to cosmopolitan Florence, the renaissance capital of the country.

Passport to Adventure Springtime is ideal for biking and skiing in this breathtaking region of the Alps. Hosts Julie Conover &Mark Jennings cycle through a village where artists have painted the history of the people on the ancient buildings and explore tunnels used by the Italian Army during World War I high above Cortina. In Courmayeur, they board a helicopter to ski the distant peaks and meet the brave alpine guides who dedicate their lives to protecting skiers and hikers from the dangers of the Alps. Strolling the cobbled streets of the villages and sampling culinary specialties with the locals rounds out this Alpine adventure in Italy.

Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The Chorherrenstift Neustift in the Southern Tyrol has a long and proud history. Its origins date back to the 12th century. The ancient domicile of the Royal Court of Neustift and a former hospice known as Engelsburg are located close to this monastic settlement. In 1189 Propst Konrad The Second Of Rodank ordered the construction of a sanctuary for pilgrims, the sick and the poor. The Collegiate's library has a remarkable collection of books and its captivating internal d?cor indicates the prosperity of a bygone time. Provost Leopold The First Of Zanna ordered the costly construction of the splendid library hall designed by architect Giuseppe Sartori of Trentino. The interior of the impressive Collegiate Church dates back to the 18th century. The building's decor is typical Late Baroque and its transition to Southern Germany's Rococo period. In addition to the elaborate creations of the Wessobrunner artists the ceiling frescos of the Augsburg artist, Matth?us G?nther, are particularly noteworthy. Beyond the Collegiate there are marvellous fruit plantations and vineyards and The Turkish Tower is a reminder of the region's historic past. As with the entire area of the monastery the unique treasures of the Chorherrenstift Neustift have been preserved for posterity.

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. The Strada Delle Dolomiti is a good mountain road that travels through a picturesque nature reserve amidst some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe, an enchanting region in northern Italy, the Alto Adige. The age-old charm of the historical city centre of Cortina d?Ampezzo is captivating and the facades of its chalets and hotels are richly decorated with frescos.The beauty of this reddish-shining mountain region is unique in the world.Crowned with peaks such as the Tofaneand the Ristallo, 1224 meters above sea level, Cortina extends into the sunny Ampezzo Valley. Alpe Di Siusi, the Seiser Alm, contains a 50 square kilometer recreation area.In summer, hikers come to this high plateau and in winter it's popular with cross-country sportsmen.Europe's largest alpine meadow is located at an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level and horse-drawn sleighs are at the ready for local excursions pulled by tough and hardy Haflinger horses. The region's metropolis is Bolzano-Bozen that is situated in a valley basin that opens up to the south.The symbol of the city is its Late Gothic Bishop Church and in the adjoining Baroque chapel there is a collection of priceless frescos.The stone images and grotesque symbols on its facade indicate the great influence of the basic doctrines of the Church.In the small alleys of the picturesque old town the houses have arcades that are known as Lauben.Luxurious middle-class houses with artistically painted facades adorn the alleys of the old town that was used by the Romans as a central resting place while traveling to the north. Brunico-Bruneck is the main village of Puster Valley.In 1250 Bishop Bruno of Brixen built this strongly fortified city and castle against the monarchs of the Tyrol.The rows of houses in the Stadtgasse date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and make it one of the most beautiful streets in the Tyrol. High on a rock at the entrance to the Valle Aurina-Ahrntal is Taufers Castle, one of the mightiest fortified buildings in the Tyrol. For history combined with fairytale scenery, the Alto Aldige is the place to be!

Vista Point. 26 Minutes. The Strada Delle Dolomiti is a good mountain road that travels through a picturesque nature reserve amidst some of the most beautiful mountains in Europe, an enchanting region in northern Italy, the Alto Adige. The age-old charm of the historical city centre of Cortina d?Ampezzo is captivating and the facades of its chalets and hotels are richly decorated with frescos. Alpe Di Siusi, the Seiser Alm, contains a fifty square kilometer recreation area. In summer, hikers come to this high plateau and in winter it's popular with cross-country sportsmen. Europe's largest alpine meadow is located at an altitude of two thousand metres above sea level and horse-drawn sleighs are at the ready for local excursions pulled by tough and hardy Haflinger horses. The region's metropolis is Bolzano-Bozen that is situated in a valley basin that opens up to the south. The symbol of the city is its Late Gothic Bishop Church and in the adjoining Baroque chapel there is a collection of priceless frescos. The stone images and grotesque symbols on its facade indicate the great influence of the basic doctrines of the Church. In the small alleys of the picturesque old town the houses have arcades that are known as Lauben. Luxurious middle-class houses with artistically painted facades adorn the alleys of the old town that was used by the Romans as a central resting place while travelling to the north. Brunico-Bruneck is the main village of Puster Valley. In 1250 Bishop Bruno of Brixen built this strongly fortified city and castle against the monarchs of the Tyrol. The rows of houses in the Stadtgasse date back to the 15th and 16th centuries and make it one of the most beautiful streets in the Tyrol. High on a rock at the entrance to the Valle Aurina-Ahrntal is Taufers Castle, one of the mightiest fortified buildings in the Tyrol. For history combined with fairytale scenery, the Alto Aldige is the place to be!

Questar Video - VHS. Lose yourself in some of the worlds most enticing places in this adventure uncovering the pleasures of Mediterranean nations. In Greece, your first stop will be Athens, where you will contemplate the awe-inspiring ruins of the Acropolis. Ramble through the Agora, where many of history's greatest thinkers met to exchange ideas. You will be next bound for Italy, where you will navigate the haunting canals and winding streets of Venice. Unlock the Renaissance treasures of Florence when you gaze upon masterworks by Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli. Before leaving Italy, you will relish the ornate beauty of St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, the worlds smallest sovereign country. Then you're off to your final destinations: the radiant islands of Elba, Corsica and Malta. 52 minutes.