#3. Calgary & Banff, Alberta (Canada)
Ok, this is a two for one. I placed these two together, because destination wise, they’re only about an hour drive from each other. I spent a couple of my summers living in Calgary, and on weekends, I’d head up to Banff when I could – for me, these cities are intertwined with each other. Anywho! Banff is one of the most breathtaking cities I’ve ever traveled too, ever. Every which way you turn is a picture perfect setting. Ironically, my happiest memory comes from just outside the city. We were driving along, and I looked outside the window of the car, and there were 3 Grizzly bears running alongside the highway. Running around chasing each other, and having the time of their lives. I’m an animal lover, so seeing such beautiful (and HUGE) bears frolicking in the wild without a care in the world – is one of the most happiest, and warmest memories I have from Banff (possibly all of Canada).
As for Calgary, every year in July, Calgary hosts a rodeo, exhibition and festival all rolled into one, it’s called the Calgary Stampede. Proclaiming to be, ‘The Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth”, it’s an event everyone should attend at least once in their life. Trust me, it’s worth it. It’s as if the city itself shuts down for the duration of the festival, and where people from all over the world come together to eat, drink and be happy. Now, I don’t like to play into stereotypes, but, being a Canadian myself – I will fully support the stereotype that “Canadians are some of the nicest people in the world”. They/we are. There’s no other way to say it – I’ve seen Canadians apologize to mannequins for accidentally bumping into them. We know no limits to niceness. Anyways, so imagine unbelievable food, dancing into the wee hours of the night, all with some of the friendliest people on the planet. It’s pretty great.
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