Alberta's prairie is ideal for cattle rearing and its Western beef is world famous. Apart from traditional foods, Alberta's towns and cities offer an excellent range of international cuisine. Alcohol is sold in ‘liquor stores', although beer may be obtained in the majority of hotels.

Regional specialities:
• Beef is barbecued, braised, grilled, minced and skewered with different complements such as onions, mushrooms, green peppers, rice, sauces and beans: Alberta beef is renowned worldwide and is extraordinarily succulent.
• Beef mincemeat (combines chopped suet, fruits and spices) is used in pies and tarts and as a traditional Christmas dish served with ice-cream, cream or rum sauce.
• Stew (combination of diced steak, garden vegetables and biscuits cooked in rich gravy).
• Wild berries and nuts are used in desserts.
• Honey is made from alfalfa and clover nectar and is a widely used sweetener and breakfast food.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Both Edmonton and Calgary have a rich variety of nocturnal entertainment. Nightclubs, cabarets, taverns, lounges and that infamous Alberta watering hole, the beer parlour, combine to provide constant local and international entertainment. Calgary and Edmonton boast full-scale orchestras.

Alberta is the only province (apart from the Northwest Territories and Yukon) that does not apply an extra sales tax on all purchases over and above the general sales tax of 5%. Artwork available in the province includes pottery, ceramics, sculptures and paintings. There are numerous malls in Edmonton, including Heritage Mall and the huge West Edmonton Mall. Speciality shops can be found in the Old Strathcona district, from boutiques to a farmer's market. The Kensington district - Calgary's village in the city - has over 140 excellent shops and restaurants. 

Shopping hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1700, Sat 1000-2100 (malls are generally open until 2100).