C A L G A R Y... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ... lies in the west of Canada, more exactly said in Alberta, only few kilometers far away from the Rocky Mountains. In 1988 the Olympic Winter Games took place in Calgary; it's also famous for the oil and natural gas finds in the year 1914, or by the Calgary Stampede, the largest Rodeo of the world. Circa 97o.ooo inhabitants live in Calgary!
HOW TO COME THERE? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the winter there are few nonstop connections from Europe to Calgary. From Frankfurt there is a daily connection with Air Canada to Calgary (codesharing with Lufthansa), Air Transat also offers flights from Frankfurt and London-Gatwick, Manchester and Glasgow. Otherwise one can fly to Toronto (or to an American hub) and from there with Air Canada to Calgary. the disadvantage is that the luggage has to go through the customs, so you have to pick up your luggage, walk through the customs and check in again.
WHAT TO SEE ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ At 15.45h Canadian time, (in Germany it was 23.45h) we landed in Calgary. For approximately 33$ we took a taxi to Downtown. On the 3o-minutes trip we already had a beautiful view of the skyline. We checked in our hotel and went out to see a bit of the town and to buy some beverages. First we went to CALGARY TOWER, for 1o$ you can go to the top of the 191m high Tower and on the observation deck. Likewise there is a turning restaurant, as well as several brochures and maps down in the entrance hall, which are for free! For the first day we'd seen enough and we were tired, so we went back to the hotel. I noticed that the whole city was very clean! But two beggars wanted to have some money from us. By coincidence we discovered then the enormous Stephen Avenue Mall with many shops. This Mall is directly beside office buildings and is not marked from the outside. It's nice to go shopping there because it's clean and it was also pleasantly empty. Also by coincidence we discovered then the DEVONIAN GARDENS, a vitreous roof garden plant with tropical plants, small watefalls and seat opportunities. This garden is on the fourth floor of the Toronto Dominion Square. You can also go here by going through the Mall. The garden is a small oasis between all the trouble. A few meters further we discovered a further Mall by the signature "BANKERS MALL" from the outside. This is somewhat smaller, in addition, again beautifully bright and in the upper floor one can have breakfast, eat Lunch or Dinner in different Cafés and restaurants. Everywhere in Downtown you can see signs with the +15 WALKWAY, this are some buildings which are connected by courses and one can wal kilometres without getting wet when it rains or snows. The only disadvantage is that you must know all the ways, because otherwise you end in a dead end;) Beside business and offices there are here also some Cafés and restaurants. In the North of Calgary you can find the EAU CLAIRE MARKET, a beautiful house with restaurants, IMAX cinema, small shops and a Hard Rock Café. Not far away from here is an island in the Bow River of the PRINCE'S ICELAND PARK. There was much snow and the river was frozen and covered from snow; the sun was shining and it was so beautiful! We sat down on a bank and had a beautiful view of the skyline! It was really fantastic with the frozen river and the skyline... I didn't see much of CHINATOWN. I liked the CHINESE CULTURAL CENTRE and the roads. Even the lanterns are in the Chinese style... Here you can also eat very good! In the Northeast on George's Island lies the CALGARY ZOO with more than 1.ooo animals in enclosures quite true to nature, a botanic garden and a prehistoric park with dinosaur models - not only for children! If you go along the Highway you can see already a bit of park. To get there I think the best way is going by car. I also wanted to visit the HERITAGE PARK and the HISTORICAL VILLAGE, an open air museum, but it's not opened in the winter. In the Southeast of CALGARY you can find the EXHIBITION STAMPEDE PARK, where each year the Calgary Tampede takes place in July. Here you also find the SADDLE DOME. In former times it was the olympic stadium, today the ice hockey team "Calgary Flames" are playing there. The stadium is used as a sport arena and multipurpose hall. It is called Saddle Dome because the stadium has the form of a saddle. Even if it was winter, we had to pay (I think it was 7$) to get there with the car. Unfortunately, we couldn't see so much. In the stadium we could just see the entrance hall with closed shops... however nevertheless it was completely interesting. If you have a car (or money for a taxi;)), you should visit the OLYMPIC PARK at the west edge of Calgary. You can get there on Highway 1 from where you already see the ski-jump digs. There are also signs. Parking is free of charge and for only 7$, you can explore the park on your own. For a few dollar more in the summer ther is also a guidance offered. We got a plan of the area and first went into the "Exhibiton" building, where we saw a film with interesting pictures of the Olympic Winter Games in 1988. Besides outfits and sport devices of 1988 etc. were shown. With the car we went to the "Ice House", then to the start of the ice channel and to the jump towers. You can go on the 90m dig. The elevator is made half from glass. From above one has a beautiful view and can even (at least in good weather) see the Rockies! If one has ski or snowboard, one use them there, however it is worth to go directly to the Rockies ;)
The ROCKY MOUNTAINS ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ if you are already in Calgary, you should absolutely rent a car - at least for one day - and go to the Rockies! There are approximately 120km along Highway 1 to the national park BANFF. A unique view on the mountains, which come nearer and nearer... In Banff we took a rid with the "Gondola" on one mountain (2000m) high and had a beautiful view on the valley and the mountains... On the mountain we then also walked a few meters, but that was not all so simple due to the snow... After we had seen Banff, we continued to drive a few kilometers to LAKE LOUISE. The blue sea was covered with lots of ice and snow. On the lake one had built a small ice castle and a few meters away there were some figures made from ice. I also liked the small river, which flowed between the high snow. Directly at the lake there is an expensive hotel, where you can have a tea for example. Now well, the category is called Calgary and not Rocky Mountains...;)
HOTEL ~~~~~ I would say, in Calgary there are every kinds of hotels. Cheap ones and expensive ones. We sleept in the Sandman Hotel Downtown (report follows). Sandman is a hotel group in Canada, they are quite good but cheap. We paid about 18 pounds per night and person. Besides there is a Holiday Inn, a Ramada hotel, a Sheraton hotel (direct at the Eau Claire Market), a Mariott (near the Calgary Tower), a Westin etc.. In the east of the city, outside of Downtown, there is a youth hostel. Likewise there are hotels near to the airport.
MEALS ~~~~ You can get a good breakfasts in one of the many Coffee Shops or smaller restaurants. At each corner there is Starbuck's. If you want to have a really good breakfast you have to search a bit. We discovered then however a small cosy shop in typicall American style, where you can eat very good without paying so much money. There are Sandwiches, ham, roasting potatoes, small sausage, eggs... in addition, salads etc.. For a sandwich and a Cappuccino I had to pay about 6$. The disadvantage is that the small restaurants are often closed on the weekends. Of course, there are several Mc Donald's restaurants, as well as many Subway restaurants. Here you get different Baguettes with salad, meat, sauce etc. Likewise there are many restaurants - many Chinese or Japanese by the way. If you don't know what you want to eat you can just go to a mall, there you can find a food court wit all different kinds of food. You must watch out for the prices, since on most prices there is a Tax of 7% which is added. Not only in supermarkets and shops, but also in restaurants. Reason for this is that from State to State, they have different taxes.
CLIMATE ~~~~ Before we flew, several people warned us it would be so cold in Calgary! -2o°C! And, how was the climate?We had the most beautiful weather and little snow! At night it became -1o°C, but during the day the temperature was about 5-7°C and with the sun it was even warm, so that we saw a few people in short trousers and t-Shirt! On one day it was however very windy, thus very uncomfortable and cold. In the deepest winter it can become however -2o°C... In the Rockies against it it was naturally colder, in addition, were here around midday around o°C.
MOVEMENT ~~~~~~~~~~ In Downtown a car is actually unnecessary, since you can reach the most things by foot. I recommend however to rent a car for two days, so that you can drive to the Rocky Mountains, to the Olympic park or to the zoo! There are several parking lots, houses or parking meters. You should be careful since the Canadians do not have a problem to let the car tow! The traffic rules are very similar to the English - well except that they drove on the other side ;) On the highways the maximum speed is 11okm/h! Here one can also overhaul from right. At crossings there is none right before left. Here the car who came first drives first. Even if the traffic light is red, one may bend right (or also left into a one-way street) if it is free! One may not carry an opened bottle of alcohol in the car! The people drive more defensively than in Germany. To the airport you can get with a taxi for approximately 33$ or with the Airporter. That is a small bus, which stops at the hotels. 11$ oneway, 17$ return. Likewise there are also some buses.
FURTHER INFROMATION ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ www.tourismcalgary.com www.calgary.ca or visit the Calgary Convention & Visitors office in the 11th Avenue. The moreover there is a tourism info in the Stephen Avenue Mall at the airport!
RESULT ~~~~ I spent five days in Calgary, which was also sufficient. There are many things you can see! A pluspoint are the Rocky Mountains, which are approximately 12okm away. I did not see many tourists. The people were all very nicely and helpfully and it wasn't really cold! I give ***** and of course a recommendation;)
Thanks for reading, valuating and commentating!
Rini2oo5
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