150th Anniversary of Norway's "Open Air Life" Encourages Americans to Connect With Nature
-- See and taste the region's enormous king crabs through an Arctic safari in Finnmark: National Geographic Adventure magazine named this experience one of the 25 best new trips of 2008 -- Experience the Midnight Sun: In summer months, the sun never sets in the northern regions of Norway. Set a tee time for midnight and enjoy a round of golf in Lofoten -- Set a date with "Miss Aurora (Borealis)" and enjoy the spectacular show that the Northern Lights brings to a crisp and cold winter night in Troms -- Explore the Vega Archipelago: These islands have been named to UNESCO's World Heritage list for their unusual geology and distinctive animal and plant life -- View the Arctic's last wilderness, go on a killer whale safari in Vesterålen or a sea eagle safari on SommarøySample Norway Itinerary for Adventure Travelers If a traveler is looking to add adventure in their friluftsliv experience, Norway offers the following activities:
-- Stand behind 12 eager dogs as you dogsled through the Norwegian Lapland -- Embrace the horsepower of snow scooters as you tour the mountains of Northern Norway or herd reindeer in Kautokeino with the help of the native Sami people -- Put on your snow shoes and go ice-fishing on a fjord or lake before enjoying your freshly caught catch deliciously prepared by a master chef in Tromsø, Norway's candidate to host the 2018 Winter Olympic Games -- Go Island hopping by sea kayak in Lofoten: paddle from island to island on what many call the world's most beautiful coastline, stopping to enjoy sandy beaches and spectacular views -- Bike along a National Tourist Route on a beautiful coastal stretch of the island of Senja: Experience the wild and rugged landscape, the unique coastal culture in small fishing villages such as Husøya, an exotic pearl where a Spanish siesta is a natural part of daily lifeA number of partner tour operators, both Norwegian and domestic, are offering "Passport to Friluftsliv" travel itineraries. Innovation Norway recommends booking itineraries by December 2008 for travel in the 2009 season to ensure availability. For more information about friluftsliv or "Passport to Friluftsliv" travel itineraries through partner tour operators, please visit www.visitnorway.com/friluftsliv. ABOUT INNOVATION NORWAY (www.visitnorway.com) In 2004, Innovation Norway took over the tasks of the Norwegian Industrial and Regional Development Fund, the Norwegian Trade Council, the Government Consultative Office for Inventors and the Norwegian Tourist Board. Innovation Norway offers products and services to help develop the regions, increase innovation in industry throughout Norway, and promote Norwegian industry and Norway as a tourist destination. With offices in all Norwegian counties and in more than 30 countries worldwide, Innovation Norway's staff has knowledge of local and international factors that help turn its customers' ideas into business successes.