By Jill Browne
With a population of over a million, Calgary is one of Canada's most energetic, fastest-growing cities. At its heart are the Bow River and its little sister, the Elbow River. Downtown is on the south side of the Bow west of the confluence, and the Calgary Tower is at the centre of the city. The beautiful Rocky Mountains, 100 km away, show up in the view anytime you look west.
You can begin your Calgary exile quite pleasantly upon arrival at YYC – www.calgaryairport.com">Calgary International Airport . Chances are pretty good that a friendly "White Hatter" in a red vest and white Stetson will welcome you. The airport's website has everything you need to know about ground transportation and the many services available on site. If you're getting in late in the day, you can eat at the food court or one of the restaurants (there's a Delta Hotel attached if you prefer something less casual. It's also a good bet for first and last night's accommodation if your time is tight. At the airport you can pick up a bottle of wine, some Bernard Callebaut chocolates (warning: seriously addictive!) and have a massage or www.ora-oxygen.com to start the process.
Other beds to exhale www.kensingtonriversideinn.com on the Bow River, within easy walking distance of downtown and the C-train, Calgary's answer to light rail transit. www.calgarytransit.com Not a good fit for the budget? That same C-train serves Motel Village (search "motel village Calgary" to see a variety of motel websites), where price is a reasonable indication of quality. (Save money by using the train – no car required). The Holiday Inn Express in Motel Village has worked well for me. (There's also one downtown, and another in the south end of the city, rather far from downtown but within walking distance of the C-train).
The downtown business hotels are pretty much cut from the same fine cloth – modern, clean, fairly expensive, comfortable with frills available – but the Fairmont Palliser Hotel - has a uniquely grand ambience. Hey, if it's good enough for Queen Elizabeth, it should work for the rest of us. Check out the Death by Chocolate buffet (see "Restaurants" on the hotel's website). The lounge menu includes the peatiest, smokiest Scotch this side of the Highlands.
To get your bearings, a Brewster City Tour will show you the city sights. Zoom to the top of the Calgary Tower for a fine meal in the revolving Panorama Restaurant. (Or skip the food and just go for the view). The Vertigo Mystery Theatre is on the ground floor, and the Epcor Centre for the Performing Arts just a block away. Explore Calgary's amazing small theatre scene – do your own net search or try this listing: www.discovercalgary.com/BusinessIndex/TheatreCompanies
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