Norway's Lofoten Islands are a crossroads of traditional life and modern industry in the Arctic Circle. Svolvaer, where our homepage image was taken, was historically an important fishing village that was granted town status in 1918. People have lived in this area for more than 1,000 years and it still serves as a sanctuary for travelers looking for a peaceful getaway, welcoming up to 200,000 visitors a year. The traditional rorbu houses, built on poles over water, bring their own distinctive charm to the town. These cabins were once made for traveling fishermen and have now been refurbished to meet contemporary tastes.