Cruise ship sailing away into the sunset, Norway. The spectacular scenery along the fjords and coast makes Norway one of the world's greatest cruise ship destinations. In 2010 about 1.9 million cruise passengers visited Norway, thereby setting a new record.

Along the Sognefjord, Norway. In the past, many fishermen lived along the Sognefjord catching large amounts of herring, mackerel, cod, pollack, sea trout and salmon. Today however the amount of fish has declined and Arve Frivik, a lobster fisherman, is the last person making a living from fishing on the fjord.

Åtnes farm along the Aurlandsfjord, Norway. The farm at Åtnes is one of the oldest farms in the Aurland area, with its origins believed to be more than 2000 years old. There were cattle, sheep, horses and hayfields. The oldest buildings remaining to this day date from around the year 1700.

Tryvann ski resort in Oslo, Norway. Few capitals in the world have an alpine ski center, but Oslo does. The Tryvann ski area which is only 20 minutes away from the city center normally opens from November or December to April.

The ship Mona Lisa on her last voyage in the Norwegian fjords, Norway. The cruise ship M/S Mona Lisa was built in 1966 in Scotland, but as she no longer complied with new regulations she was retired in September 2010. Plans are that she will be used as a floating hotel in Oman.

Fjords of Norway. Fjords are long narrow inlets carved into the landscape by glacial erosion and flooded by sea water. Apart from the Antarctic, fjords are most commonly found in Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Canada, Alaska, Chile and New Zealand.

The village of Undredal, Norway. Located along the spectacular Aurlandsfjord, the village of Undredal had no road connection until 1988. Before that it could only be reached by boat. Today the village counts about 80 inhabitants and more than 4 times as many goats.

Mountain farm along the Sognefjord, Norway. The mountain Molden offers some of the best viewpoints over the Sognefjord, the longest fjord in Norway. Half way up the mountain you reach the old mountain farm Svarthiller, from where you have great views towards Urnes at the opposite side of the fjord.

View over the Aurlandsfjord from Åtnes farm, Norway. Located on a hillside, Åtnes farm offers magnificent views of the Aurlandsfjord. Across the fjord, at Fronnes, there are eight burial mounds made of rocks. It was a custom in older times to burry people such that they had a view of their home.

Snow clad trees in Oslo, Norway. In Norway the largest snowfall ever recorded was 132 cm in a single day. It was set on February 4th 1960, in Vennesla (Southern Norway).

Lærdalsfjord, Norway. The freshwater originating from precipitation and rivers flowing into the fjord floats on top of the seawater. Because the level of salinity varies with the depth, deep Norwegian fjords can actually accommodate both freshwater fish and saltwater fish at different depths.

Ferry crossing the Sognefjord, Norway. Ferries are an essential way of transportation in the western fjords of Norway. All year long, a small car ferry crosses the Sognefjord between Solvorn and Urnes. By land it takes 73 km of narrow winding roads to drive between both places, but the boat trip only takes 20 minutes.

Glacier Fåbergstølsbreen, Norway. Located in the valley next to the famous Nigardsbreen glacier, the glacier Fåbergstølsbreen is much less visited. It is however relatively easily accessible by a three kilometre hike from the road to the glacier front.

Mountain Bleia along the Sognefjord, Norway. From the top of the mountain Bleia at 1717 meters above sea level, it is 2850 meters down until the bottom of the Sognefjord. In comparison, the Grand Canyon in the US is only 1600 meters deep.

Cross-country skiing in Oslo, Norway. Norwegians are said to be born with skis on their feet. In the vast forests surrounding the capital Oslo, a network of 2600 kilometres of cross-country ski trails are continuously being groomed throughout the winter period.