There are many different holidays you can enjoy whilst visiting Norway but most choose to go self-catering in one of the many villas in Norway. The choice of villas is truly endless and you will not be disappointed with any of your choices because they are all equipped with modern facilities and many even have an outdoor hot tub.

When you are driving through the countryside, you will be amazed by the breathtaking views that are everywhere you turn. The landscape is truly unique and is completely unspoilt with little evidence of pollution. Ensure you take your camera as you will have many suitable subjects for your collection, from landscapes (fjords and mountains) to wildlife (Norway has more natural habitats than any other country in Europe). You can also discover both modern and traditional architecture by driving on any one of Norway’s six National Tourist Routes.

Discover the beauty of the Lofoten Islands, which has one of the world’s largest sea eagle colonies. You can witness the thousands of cormorants, puffins and guillemots that nest on the island. There have also been many sightings of killer whales, seals and whales in this area which also offers some unique image opportunities.

Norway is fortunate in that is in a strong economic position and is one of the world’s richest countries per head. Norway has large foreign trade surpluses due to the high cost of oil in recent times. This is enabling the government to invest in developing new industries to support its strategy of diversification.

The Norwegian government is thus able to help support the freight services sector as it faces the challenge of adapting to new conditions.

One of the private sector industries that is robust and growing in Norway in shipping. Shipping companies originally developed in Norway to serve the offshore petrolem industry and have now achieved a dominant market position. In fact, the shipping fleet in Norway is one of the most modern in the world.

Shipping and freight services has therefore been identified as an industry to be further developed and strengthened in future, as a key part of the Norwegian economy.

As shipping companies face the new challenges, the sector is showing innovation as shipping companies identify and seize new opportunities that are relevant for the post petroleum era.

For example, the Norwegian freight company sector is set to break new ground with the launch of the world’s first gas-powered ro-ro vessels. Norwegian shipping company Sea-Cargo AS is building the vessels and they are expected to be launched by 2010. With the focus on lower exhaust emissions from short sea and coastal vessels, Sea Cargo AS identified liquified natural gas as the fuel of the future. These vessels will reduce CO2 emissions by 25% compared with a vessel run on conventional fuel.

Norway, like its neighbour Finland, has a significant role to play in serving the Baltic region. Although the global economic crisis is having a negative impact on freight forwarding in many countries worldwide, international freight to and from the Baltics remains a growth area. The majority of shipping companies and economic commentators are expecting growth in the Baltic region to continue to be strong in the next few years. This will strengthen the freight services sector in those countries like Norway and Finland on which freight transport to the Baltic region depends.

The Baltic Region is now a main trading area for the freight forwarding and shipping company industry based in Bergen. They offer a frequent service to the Baltic Region, mainly with its fleet of side door vessels.The main item requiring freight transport is frozen fish from Norway, Scotland and Iceland. This is transported to many destinations in the Baltic Region. This is an expanding market, with an increasing demand for fish products as the buying power of customers increases in the countries that make up the Baltic Region.

In ways such as these, shipping companies in Norway are showing that they can identify and seize the new opportunities created by changing market conditions. This means that the freight forwarding and international freight industry in Norway face a bright future as they rise to the challenge of responding to change.