Experience some Canadian horsepower this summer

Party like a Prince at the Calgary Stampede between 6 and 15 of July, when for 10 exhilarating days every July, Calgary goes Stampede crazy with a citywide celebration of true western hospitality and rousing fun! Ditch your city slicker look and grab your western duds because if you thought the Wild West had been tamed, you’re only half right.

The high steppin' two-hour Calgary Stampede Parade kicks off the festivities in the streets with a burst of energy, colour and music. Every afternoon the best cowboys and cowgirls saddle up for ground-shaking Rodeo action. Every evening, nine heart-stopping Chuckwagon Races thunder around the track in an all out dash to the finish line.

The evening concludes with the Grandstand Stage Show – 90 minutes of nonstop musical entertainment building to a fantastic Fireworks finalé. To round off your evening, why not don your cowboy hat, choose your partner and two-step in Prince Harry’s footsteps at Cowboys Nite Club, where you’ll experience true western spirit at Calgary’s favourite bar.

If this isn’t enough, this year’s Stampede sees Wrangler and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation (CBCF) teaming up with the Calgary Stampede to launch a special ‘30-Hours of Tough’ campaign. This initiative celebrates the thousands of volunteers across Canada involved in breast cancer fundraising efforts.

For a glimpse of the ultimate western experience please visit Calgarystampede.com.

Canadian Affair offers seven nights at the Sandman Calgary Hotel in July from ?804 per person. This is based on two people sharing a twin room on a room-only basis, and includes direct return economy flights from London Gatwick to Calgary. A two-day Thrill Package to the Calgary Stampede can be added for £107 per person.

For information and reservations please visit Canadianaffair.com.

Edmonton Revs up for the Champ Car World Series and Capital EX festival

Between the roar of the engines at the Grand Prix’s Champ Car World Series (20 – 22 July) and the thrills and magic at Capital EX (19 – 28 July) there’s plenty of adventure and excitement awaiting visitors to Edmonton this summer.

Every July, Edmonton becomes the City of Champ Car, with over 200,000 fans descending on the city to see the best race drivers in the world take the green flag. Drivers reach speeds of over 200 mph on the 1.96-mile, temporary race facility in the heart of Edmonton as they vie for the checkered flag.

Visitors can purchase bronze, silver or gold passes for the three-day event, with some passes allowing ticket holders to ‘get up close’ in the pits with fantastic behind-the-scenes opportunities. In addition to the Champ Car World Series, ticket holders will have the chance to watch a NASCAR Canada event and stock car races. For further information please visit Grandprixedmonton.com.

Edmonton is also the Festival City with more than 30 established festivals each year devoted to music, performances, visual arts, family fun, sports and culture. Edmonton's Capital EX 10-day spectacular coincides with the Grand Prix, so the city offers something for everyone, with thrilling rides, wonderful international entertainment, chilling chuckwagon races, daredevil feature attractions and a colourful parade adding to the city’s buzz.

This year Harry Potter fans will rejoice in the magic of Capital EX as the site is transformed into the wizard’s world on 20 July. The Potter Passport extravaganza will see Bonanza Park morph into Hogwarts and visitors can watch a lacrosse team play their own version of Quidditch.

Visit Capitalex.ca for more information.

Air Canada offers more non-stop daily services from the UK to Canada than any other airline. Return fares with Air Canada from London Heathrow to Edmonton throughout July are £648.00 midweek including taxes and weekend £708.00 including taxes.

For further information or to book, visit Aircanada.com.

For more information on Alberta, visit Travelalberta.com.