As the play-by-play voice of the B.C. Lions, a question that I get asked quite a bit is sa国际传媒淲hat is your favorite CFL city to visit?sa国际传媒�
Itsa国际传媒檚 a tough question to answer depending on the benchmarks but Isa国际传媒檓 going to take a run it anyway using my own criteria. The rankings are going to be based on what the city has to offer and the game experience.
1. Montreal
This one is a slam dunk. The history of the city and its architecture are amazing as you almost feel like you are in Europe. The restaurants in Montreal are exquisite (our favorite being Morettisa国际传媒檚 in Griffintown) and a visit to Crescent Street for its nightlife is a must. Make sure to visit Schwartzsa国际传媒檚 Deli for their world-famous smoked meat. As for the game experience, the stadium is antiquated but the views of the city are spectacular.
2. Ottawa
Our nationsa国际传媒檚 capital is underrated. Yousa国际传媒檙e within walking distance of the Parliament Buildings and The Market District, which has a great choice of patios to enjoy dinner and drinks. TD Place Stadium has a good atmosphere sa国际传媒� and it would be even better if the Red Blacks could manage some wins.
3. Toronto
The highlight of this trip is dinner at Mama Caravattasa国际传媒檚. As someone who lost his mom a while ago, itsa国际传媒檚 so nice to see the interaction between our colour analyst Giulio Caravatta and his mom. As for the six-course home-made meal, itsa国际传媒檚 legendary. Everything is made from scratch and eating the food is like having angels dancing on your tongue. Throw in a Leafs game if yousa国际传媒檙e lucky and yousa国际传媒檙e set.
4. Calgary
We usually stay in the Eau Claire District, which is a nice part of downtown. Yousa国际传媒檇 expect a more vibrant downtown core but given the vacancy rates in the office buildings in Calgary, itsa国际传媒檚 understandable why itsa国际传媒檚 kind of quiet. We always make sure to visit the Vintage Chophouse and Tavern which happens to be one of the best restaurants on the circuit, and of course Spolumbosa国际传媒檚 Deli. Donsa国际传媒檛 expect too much from a game at McMahon Stadium though. It desperately needs to be replaced.
5. Regina
I know what yousa国际传媒檙e thinking - Regina? Are you nuts? Maybe itsa国际传媒檚 the smoked old fashioneds at the Hotel Saskatchewan. Maybe itsa国际传媒檚 because you know yousa国际传媒檙e in Riderville as soon as you step off the plane. Or maybe because itsa国际传媒檚 the best stadium atmosphere in the league, but Regina gets a thumbs up from me.
6. Hamilton
Hamilton is greasy but a blue-collar greasy with some great character. Itsa国际传媒檚 a tough town but it has so much character it makes a stay enjoyable and a game at Tim Hortonsa国际传媒檚 Field a memorable one.
7. Edmonton
I think the 50-minute bus ride from the airport to downtown kind of sets the tone for the trip. To me, Edmonton is a step above Winnipeg but it just seems so dreary no matter what time of year you visit. And a clash at the cavernous Commonwealth Stadium doesnsa国际传媒檛 lend itself to the best game experience.
8. Winnipeg
One of the better stadium experiences in the league. As for the rest, if you donsa国际传媒檛 have anything nice to say about someone or something, donsa国际传媒檛 say anything at all.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob sa国际传媒渢he Mojsa国际传媒� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at or your local Black Press Media website.
