Issue link: http://read.canadatravelguides.ca/i/651528
TRAVEL GUIDE TO CANADA f or some travellers, Cowboy Culture is the big attraction: Calgary Stampede, vast tracts of farmland and the famous Grade A beef. To others, it's the Rocky Mountains—snow-capped peaks, pristine wilderness and endearing alpine towns. Alberta's unique heritage is also popular with visitors—a potent mix of First Nations history, pioneer spirit and rich immigrant culture. Did we mention the Badlands— the lunar-like landscape running parallel to the Rockies along the eastern fl anks, where dinosaurs once roamed? From the rocky spine of Waterton Lakes in the south to Wood Buffalo National Park in the far north, Alberta delivers on every front: nature, adventure, scenery, urban escapes and small-town charm. The two biggest cities, Edmonton and Calgary, should be part of your must-see list, but Alberta is also home to a half dozen thriving smaller cities, such as Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat and Lethbridge. Each has its own unique fl avour, culled from local lore, geography, people and culture. It's a little bit country, a little bit rock and roll . . . with a whole lot of "other" thrown into the mix. Go for a fi ve-star dinner, relax at a spa, fi sh the glacier-fed rivers, or play the back nine where your biggest hazard is the wildlife. Search for ancient rock carvings along the Milk River, or sketch a wildfl ower-carpeted mountain meadow near Banff or Jasper. Our travel experiences are Mother Nature-approved—and you only have to visit once to know this is true. CoWBoY CooL, DinoSaUr traiLS anD UrBan VerVe BY SUSAN MATE CoWBoY CooL, DinoSaUr ALBERTA PeaCe BriDGe, CaLGarY • SHUtterStoCK/Jeff WHYte ALBERTA