Cool Calgary: Global Greeter Network

Eiffel Tower check.

Empire State Building check.

Sightseeing whileon vacation oftens feels like you're just ticking items off a list.

But if youprefer to live like thelocals when you travel, there are actually hundredsof peoplearound the world who want to takeyou to their favourite coffee shop or food truck.

"When you meet someonewho is on vacation, no matter what was going on with your day, you kind of become part of that time off and it's a great way for us to unwind and meet some newpeople," saidChris Cameron.

He's one of thefounders of theCalgary Greeters, a chapter of theGlobal Greeter Networkaninformal association of cities that have passionate volunteer residents willing toshow off their belovedcity to complete strangers.

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Cameron and his wife, Keely, used the free service for the first time three years ago when they were visiting Chicago.

"It ended up being the best part of our trip," she said. "The fellow who greeted us... we ended up having lunch with him and hanging out in his neighbourhood which was completely off the beaten path."

Calgary Eyeopener5:02Cool Calgary: Free tours for visitors

We get a free tour of Calgary from a new organization that connects visitors with knowledgable locals for an afternoon on the town.

She says lately, most of the visitors they touraround in Calgary are business travellers.

"I think they just don't want to sit in a hotel room by themselves after their meeting. So they're looking to someone to talk to for an hour or two, just to fill some time," said Cameron.

Calgary GreeterMark Krysinski says he's taken travellers to Village Ice Cream and to a few hidden coffee shops.

"Theintentis to keep visitorsaway from a guided tour where everybody is moving around in a herd. It's meant to be a bit more casual, like you're walking around with a friend as opposed to walking around with a tour guide."

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This summer, the Calgary Eyeopener is featuring people contributing to the "cool factor" of our city. If you know someone who is making Calgary cool, send an email to eyeopener@cbc.ca