Calgary (Canada)

The size of the town is impressive but I don't recommend you stay there more than one day, unless you have people you know who can give you a personal tour of the city. It has profited from its mineral riches, especially petrol, and has a big financial centre and large buildings like Calgary Tower, which is worth a visit.

If you want a more cultural activity, then Heritage Park Historical Village is where you can find out about the region's history, but it also has attractions for all the family.

Calgary is particularly lively in July for the Stampede - celebrating cowboy culture (with country music and rodeos, obviously) - which attracts hundreds of thousands of fans. If you are in the area during this period it's a folk event that's not to be missed!

When I arrived fresh off the plane, I thought that cowboys and Indians only existed in the wild west stories of the United States, particularly Texas. Nevertheless, Alberta is also cowboy country, and home to Indians as well: they parade through the streets during the annual Stampede festival and take part in rodeo demonstrations. If you're up for a 180-kilometre trip, I recommend that you visit Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, which is located on an Indian reservation south of Calgary. A museum, dedicated to the ancient Indian hunting traditions, is located at the base of the mountain side over which buffalo launched themselves when hunted. 8th Avenue Southwest in Calgary is home to shops specialising in cowboy accessories. In Calgary, the streets are laid out in a grid that defines the various neighbourhoods, making it easy to get your bearings once you've come to terms with the system. Vast skyscrapers are the hallmark of the downtown area, most of which belong to oil companies that set up offices here during the 20th century, driving the city's growth.

I enjoyed the time I spent in this vibrant city, even if it's not particularly easy on the eye due to its modern architecture built on a flat and featureless landscape. During my visit, I started by following the river, then walked as far as the Calgary Tower on Stephen Avenue: this pedestrian street ends with sculptures that represent trees. They also significantly slow down the wind that gusts between the buildings. The tower is impressive, but I didn't go right to the top. When it's -20 degrees outside, you can always warm up in the pubs or the shopping malls like those found on Stephen Avenue. In Calgary, I also had the chance to attend a Calgary Flames hockey game at the Scotiabank Saddledome, with giant screens, a warm and friendly atmosphere and the stadium covered in red, the team's colours. It's a real show that compares favourably to NBA baskebtall matches that you see on TV. It's something that you have to experience, even if (like me) you don't know much about the rules of ice hockey. During the intermission, I got the chance to taste the Canadian cocktail, the Caesar, which is similar to a Bloody Mary in that it is made from vodka and tomato juice - except that it also features clam broth. There's also a very impressive zoo in Calgary, which will delight children, although I didn't go there.

Finally, Calgary is Alberta's gateway to the Rocky Mountains. This makes it the ideal starting point for a trip towards Banff and Lake Louise, which are absolute must-see places during your trip to Canada.