As the play-by-play voice of the B.C. Lions, a question that I get asked quite a bit is 鈥淲hat is your favorite CFL city to visit?鈥�

It鈥檚 a tough question to answer depending on the benchmarks but I鈥檓 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 Moretti鈥檚 in Griffintown) and a visit to Crescent Street for its nightlife is a must. Make sure to visit Schwartz鈥檚 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 nation鈥檚 capital is underrated. You鈥檙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 鈥� 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 Caravatta鈥檚. As someone who lost his mom a while ago, it鈥檚 so nice to see the interaction between our colour analyst Giulio Caravatta and his mom. As for the six-course home-made meal, it鈥檚 legendary. Everything is made from scratch and eating the food is like having angels dancing on your tongue. Throw in a Leafs game if you鈥檙e lucky and you鈥檙e set.

4. Calgary

We usually stay in the Eau Claire District, which is a nice part of downtown. You鈥檇 expect a more vibrant downtown core but given the vacancy rates in the office buildings in Calgary, it鈥檚 understandable why it鈥檚 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 Spolumbo鈥檚 Deli. Don鈥檛 expect too much from a game at McMahon Stadium though. It desperately needs to be replaced.

5. Regina

I know what you鈥檙e thinking - Regina? Are you nuts? Maybe it鈥檚 the smoked old fashioneds at the Hotel Saskatchewan. Maybe it鈥檚 because you know you鈥檙e in Riderville as soon as you step off the plane. Or maybe because it鈥檚 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. It鈥檚 a tough town but it has so much character it makes a stay enjoyable and a game at Tim Horton鈥檚 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 doesn鈥檛 lend itself to the best game experience.

8. Winnipeg

One of the better stadium experiences in the league. As for the rest, if you don鈥檛 have anything nice to say about someone or something, don鈥檛 say anything at all.

Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 鈥渢he Moj鈥� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media. And check out his weekly podcast every Monday at or your local Black Press Media website.