Calgary , General info:
9/10

Calgary is the largest city in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in a region of foothills and high plains, approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies. Calgary is well-known as a destination for winter sports and ecotourism with a number of major mountain resorts near the city and metropolitan area. Economic activity in Calgary is mostly centred on the petroleum industry; however, agriculture, tourism, and high-tech industries also contribute to the city's fast economic growth. Calgary holds many major annual festivals.

Calgary , Cheap stuff:
9/10

Hard to find anything cheap.

Calgary , Different stuff:
9/10

With approximately 635 km of pathways and 260 km of on-street bikeways within its boundaries, The City of Calgary boasts the most extensive urban pathway and bikeway network in North America. Downtown, there are many pathways along the rivers and park areas.

Calgary , Don't miss:
9/10

Eau Claire/Festival District: A mix of riverside condominiums, unique shopping, restaurants, hotels, and urban parkland make Eau Claire and the Festival District among Calgary's liveliest urban districts. In the summer, the Festival District can be found crowded with people enjoying the sights and sounds of Eau Claire Festival Market, one of the areas many pubs and restaurants, or a weekend festival.

Calgary , Food:
8/10

Calgary offers a wide variety of dining options. While Calgary doesn't have a single signature dish, residents are very proud of Alberta Beef.The popular Chinese-Canadian dish of ginger beef was invented in Calgary in the 1970s. Calgary is also home to a very culturally diverse population, with a very wide selection of international restaurants, especially from East and Southeast Asia, and the Mediterranean from Italy through Lebanon. Calgary is, however, generally lacking in decent Mexican food, and the inland location means that a good meal of seafood is sometimes hard to find.

Calgary , Hotels:
10/10

With more than 11,100 accommodation rooms, Calgary and beyond offers the vacation and business traveler exceptional service, comfort and legendary western hospitality. World-class hotels, unique and historic bed and breakfasts, heritage homes, inns, cabins/chalets and resorts or a family-oriented facility complete with waterslides, children’s programs and adventure nearby.

Calgary , Safety:
9/10

Although Calgary is generally a very safe place, walking at night should be avoided in the East Village and Victoria Park areas of downtown (generally speaking, this is the area adjacent to the Stampede Grounds and north to the Bow River). However, Calgary is safe by western Canadian standards and by US standards, Calgary is inestimably safe. Calgary's 2005 murder rate of 2 murders per 100,000 inhabitants was, for example, less than one-tenth the murder rate of Chicago and one-twentieth that of Baltimore. Crime should be the least of visitors' concerns, but always keep your wits about you when the bars close, regardless of the area of town.

Take care when crossing LRT tracks, as the trains are large, silent, fast and deadly.

Houston , General info:
9/10

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States of America and the largest city within the state of Texas. Houston is the seat of Harris County and an economic center of the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area—the sixth-largest metropolitan area in the U.S. with a population of around 5.6 million.

Houston was founded on August 30, 1836 by brothers Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou.

Houston , Cheap stuff:
9/10

Pico's Mex-Mex Restaurant, 100% Taquito, Collina's Italian Cafe, ...

Houston , Different stuff:
9/10

Dynamic Downtown, Architecture & Public Art, Shop Nonstop, Urban Green Spaces, ...

Houston , Don't miss:
9/10

Earth Day celebrations, Art Car Parade, NASA, Menil Museum, Astros

Houston , Food:
9/10

Paulie's, Lankford Grocery & Market, Prince's-Houston's Hometown Burger,

King Biscuit Patio Cafe

Houston , Hotels:
9/10

Howard Johnson Express Inn, Hotel Zaza, Crowne Plaza, Four Points By Sheraton Houston Southwest, Hyatt Regency Houston,...

Houston , Safety:
9/10

Like any large city in the world, Houston has its share of unsavory characters. If you use common sense, you'll enjoy your trip and have no problems.