As a shopping destination, Calgary offers visitors the opportunity to buy something that captures the flavour of the city and country (like maple syrup or a leather belt from a country market) along with sophisticated boutique products that you would expect to find in any major international city.

The main shopping district is in downtown Calgary, notably along Stephen Avenue Walk, a pedestrian walkway lined with historic buildings that houses shops, galleries and restaurants. Nearby, a number of shopping malls, including TD Square and the Calgary Eaton Centre are linked by plus-15 walkways to create a super-complex offering over 180 stores. The range includes retail chains, department stores and specialty boutiques.

The city centre's best-known retail asset, however, is the Eau Claire Market, Second Street at Second Avenue SW (website: www.eauclairemarket.com), with an interior that houses restaurants and a small fresh-food market, around which are lined a variety of speciality shops and kiosks.

More upmarket shopping can be found at Uptown 17th Avenue, known as The Red Mile, with fashion boutiques, antique stores and Mount Royal Village - one of the city's more high-end malls. The Chinook Centre (website: www.chinookcentre.com), south of Downtown at the intersection of Macleod Trail and Glenmore Trail, is Calgary's largest shopping centre. It has over 200 shops, an entertainment wing and claims to have the largest food court in Canada.

The Deerfoot Outlet Mall, 904 64th Avenue NE, close to Calgary International Airport, is Western Canada's only enclosed outlet mall. The Calgary Farmer's Market, 4421 Quesnay Wood Drive SW (website: www.calgaryfarmersmarket.ca) offers fresh produce year round, and is open Friday to Sunday.

Shopaholics should consider the three-hour drive north to Edmonton, where the huge West Edmonton Mall (website: www.westedmontonmall.com) contains over 800 shops, a water park, theme park, ice rink and hotels.

For cowboy boots and Western gear, there are Riley & McCormick stores at 220 Stephen Avenue Walk, in the Eau Claire Market and at the airport (website: www.realcowboys.com). Other unique gifts with a local flavour can be found at Cottage Craft, 8330 Macleod Trail SE, Heritage Plaza, which has a good selection of Inuit and native art.

McNally Robinson Booksellers, on Stephen Avenue (120 Eighth Avenue SW), is Canada's largest independent bookseller, and has a wonderful restaurant on the upper level, serving daily homemade soups and salads.

One thing that makes Calgary a compelling destination for shoppers is the fact that the Province of Alberta charges no provincial sales tax, resulting in better shopping value than in other Canadian provinces. Nevertheless, a federal Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 5% is charged.