Norway

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. Norway is a fascinating land in the extreme north of Europe where both magic and fairytales are very much alive. It has crystal clear lakes and rivers, snow covered mountains, idyllic fishing villages and endless beaches that are only accessible by boat. Although the Norwegian metropolis of Oslo is a modern city it continues to be inspired by the lively spirit of its past traders, fighting men and seafarers. Oslo is a harbour town that lies well sheltered at the end of a fjord and in the ninth century it was much appreciated by the Vikings who travelled throughout the known world, plundering much of it! Bergen's main tourist attraction is the Bryggen district that originated in the middle of the fourteenth century when it was heavily influenced by the North German Hanseatic Office. The city not only boasts a fascinating history but also a number of music festivals and it was the birthplace of world famous composer Edvard Grieg. Trondheim is Norway's historic capital in which the country's kings have been crowned. The Nidaros Domkirke is the most splendid Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. It was built on the bones of Holy Olav. For several centuries it has been a place of pilgrimage and since the Middle Ages the Norwegian kings were crowned and also entombed within its walls. The small village of Nusfjord is located in front of a captivating backdrop of mountains. Due to its unique location it looks more like a high mountain village than a fishing settlement. It is both an historical as well as a cultural treasure. It is easy to understand why the descendants of the Vikings are so proud of their fascinating home in the extreme north. Norway, a country bursting with breathtaking and untamed beauty!

DVD. Passport to Adventure Trains, ferries, and fjords - nature and man coexisting in splendor. From clean, green, cosmopolitan Oslo, to artsy, hip Bergen, Norway's cities blend seamlessly with its pristine countryside. In Oslo, hosts Julie Conover and Mark Jennings tour the city on bicycles and ferries before embarking on one of the world's most spectacular train adventures. They explore the majestic fjord in kayaks and hike to take in breathtaking views. In Bergen, they wander narrow alleys and stroll the historic wharf and fish market.

DVD. Globe Trekker. In this Ultimate Double DVD guide to Scandinavia, Megan McCormick, Ian Wright and Neil Gibson explore Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Lapland, Finland and the Baltic States. Featuring the Globe Trekker programmes... Denmark and Sweden - Megan McCormick explores Copenhagen, taking in the city's sights, enjoying a traditional Viking festival and hanging out in Christiania, Europe's largest commune located in the heart of the capital. A drive across the Oresund Bridge brings Megan to Sweden and Lars Wiilks self proclaimed country Ladonia, home to the monumental sculpture Nimis. She visits Tvarno to get a taste of the Swedish countryside and ends her journey in Stockholm getting acquainted with Swedish icons, Alfred Nobel, ABBA and tennis legend Bjorn Borg. Norway and Lapland. Finland and the Baltic States. Plus additional bonus footage... Planet Food Scandinavia - The producers of Globe Trekker and presenter Merilees Parker takes you on a culinary tour of Sweden and Denmark to learn how the region's unique cuisine has developed over the centuries. Trekking in Lapland.

DVD. Vista Point. 26 Minutes. Although the Norwegian metropolis of Oslo is a modern city it continues to be inspired by the lively spirit of its past traders, fighting men and seafarers. The unique capital city of the Vikings is full of both culture and sport, including a royal castle, various museums, ancient churches and world famous sporting events. It has nine hundred years of history. The conference rooms of the city's government are decorated with frescos and paintings by Munch, Krogh, Revold and Rolfsen and each year on the tenth of December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel's death, the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony takes place. West of the harbour basin is Akerbrygge, a city quarter that was created on the site of a former shipyard and which features some unusual architecture where glass, metal and red brick dominates as in the style of London's Docklands. The Norsk Sj?fartsmuseum features the long history of Norwegian navigation. Various figureheads are exhibited and it is no surprise that most of them are female as seafarers have always chosen to be protected by goddesses! In the Kontiki Museum, the filigree balsa river boat is on display. Thor Heyderdal sailed across the Pacific for one hundred and one days in the Kontiki, from Peru to Polynesia. This city is a royal residence and a cultural capital of Europe and is the oldest of Scandinavia's capital cities and the greenest metropolis on the European continent. A place of joie de vivre, independence and a colourful past!

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The history of the ancient and charming harbour town of Bergen, Norway's `secret' capital city, began in the 11th century during the rule of Bishop Olav Kyrre. One of the city's most important 20th century buildings is the Train Station that was inaugurated in 1907. The Stasjon is a captivating reminder of times gone by and its trains travel along one of the most picturesque railway routes in Europe. Bergen's main tourist attraction is the Bryggen district that originated in the middle of the 14th century when it was heavily influenced by the North German Hanseatic Office. German traders were attracted by the prosperous city and so had a permanent administrative HQ built. The city not only boasts a fascinating history but also a number of music festivals and world famous composer Edvard Grieg originated from Bergen. Indeed, each year the city holds a music festival in his honour with various concerts, ballets and theatrical performances. The inhabitants of Norway's `secret' capital city continue to care for and respect their historic cultural inheritance right up to the present day.

DVD. On Tour. 26 Minutes. Situated in the extreme north of Europe the Lofoten have always been a special place. The picturesque beauty of this group of islands located just off the Norwegian coast has lost nothing of its age old fascination and colourful sense of history. With 1,400 inhabitants Stamsund is the main fishing village of the archipelago.Although the surrounding fishing grounds contain an abundance of fish the industry that once flourished here is not as prosperous as it once was.Now for much of the population tourism provides a lucrative alternative to the traditional fishing industry of bygone times and the five large main islands of the Lofoten have a perfect infrastructure and are connected with each other by way of various bridges and tunnels. The small village of Nusfjord is located in front of a captivating backdrop of mountains.Due to its unique location it looks more like a high mountain village than a fishing settlement.The village is both an historical as well as a cultural treasure and almost all of its buildings date back to the 19th century when its entire population worked in the fishing industry. The beautiful unspoiled landscape of these `Islands Of The Gods' is full of captivating mystique and it no wonder that the Vikings also romanticized about their natural splendour.

DVD. Nature Wonders. 10 Minutes. The Lofotes, the Vikings who built a base here in the 9th century, called these islands in the extreme north of Europe, The Islands of the Gods. Reminiscent of the Alps, this group of islands, just off the beautiful Norwegian coast, is located between 100 and 300 kilometres north of the Polar Circle. The origins of the primeval Lofotes date back to the beginning of the earth's history and are more than 3.5 million years old. The Vestfjord played a vital part in the settlement of the islands. Since the 3rd century B.C., the settlers here survived by farming the land and breeding animals. Fishing also played an important role. As the cod of the Polar Sea migrate each year in late winter to the Vestfjord to spawn, an increasing number of fishing families now live in this area. Rocks, sandy beaches, meadows and swamps form a truly unified landscape. It is therefore hardly surprising that the landscape of the Lofotes is now so popular with the various artists who come to this region.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. The inhabitants of the Lofots situated in the High North of Europe have made their mark on these islands right up to the present day and have established various wonderful communities such as the picturesque village of Nusfjord, a fishing village that has retained all of its original charm. The village is equivalent to an open-air museum and has become one of the most famous tourist attractions of the Lofot Islands. For more than a thousand years cod has been the most important commodity for this northern archipelago and even the legendary Vikings appreciated the once fish-filled waters of the Lofots. Many villages still display long rows of fish that are hung out to dry in the salty sea air and are a tasty specialty of this region. Today there are a total of around two thousand fishermen on the Lofot Islands, men who continue to work in the thousand year old cod fishing of this remote region. Here, Nature dominates all and it is well worthwhile to follow the history of these island settlements and to explore picturesque fishing villages such as that of Nusfjord.

DVD. Naxos Scenic Musical Journeys. 60 Minutes. The Places The tour of Norway takes us from the capital, Oslo, with its harbours, parks and imposing buildings, to Bergen, the birthplace of Edvard Grieg, and its surrounding countryside, with a glimpse of Grieg's house at Troldhaugen. Trolls make their presence known, before a final return to Oslo and to the sculpture display of Vigeland Park. The Music The music chosen for this tour of Norway is by Norwegian composers, of whom the best known is Edvard Grieg. Included are excerpts from his incidental music for Ibsen's drama Peer Gynt and for Bjornstjerne Bjornson's Sigurd Jorsalfar. Other composers featured are Christian Sinding, composer of the famous Rustle of Spring, and Johan Halvorsen.