Local Expert
Vanessa Grant
Vanessa has been to New York, London and Paris – and still considers Toronto her world-class city of choice (at least until French Vogue comes calling, of course). A trained journalist, currently…
Vanessa has been to New York, London and Paris – and still considers Toronto her world-class city of choice (at least until French Vogue comes calling, of course). A trained journalist, currently working at HGTV.ca as a web editor and producer, she's also been a researcher, beauty editor and fashion industry insider.
Although she's now covering home decor and lifestyle, the range of topics she write about is quite varied. Want to know how to get a man to buy you a drink at a bar, how beer is brewed or how Omega fatty acids can improve your health? Vanessa has written about it. And now with, Planet Eye, she’ll keep you up-to-date on the best events, restaurants and cultural activities the Toronto has to offer.
Instead of just hitting the gym, Vanessa takes classes at the National Ballet School and is proud of her impeccable posture. She loves Queen Street West and Kensington market for unique fashion finds. And sushi cravings keep her on the lookout for the freshest fish in the city. She’s dabbled in hand modeling and her delicate digits have graced billboards and magazine pages alike.
But Vanessa is most comfortable behind the camera – and can often be found in front of a computer reading about style and art or out on the street, discovering new restaurants, stores and hidden gems in her own city.
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Nuit Blanche: Travel Deals and Getting Around
My countdown continues. Five nights until Nuit Blanche and if you're not already in the city, you should plan to be. This event is so popular, some of the city's hotels are offering Nuit Blanche packages and Via Rail has a specific Nuit Blanche discount code (11342) for 10 per cent off any fare.
I know it's an all-night affair but you'll want to crash at some point, so a hotel reservation isn't a bad idea. The best value seems to be at the Days Hotel on Carlton, but the Delta Chelsea is offering free parking, deluxe breakfast and two passes to the Toronto International Art Fair, so you can continue to absorb the city's culture. If you want to go all out, book a night at the Drake Hotel, a hotbed of art and culture itself. You'll spend a lot more but the room promises to be modern and gorgeous (if small) and you'll get breakfast for two, all-access pass to the TIAF, free admission to TIAF's opening night gala at the Drake (October 2) and a guided tour of TIAF with the Drake's Art Concierge.
Now, back to Nuit Blanche. There are three zones. Zone A runs north and south, between Dupont and Queen and east and west between Jarvis and Spadina. Zone B is between Queen and Lakeshore and Spadina and the Don Valley Parkway. Zone C is between Dundas and Lakeshore and Lansdowne and Spadina. This is a huge area of the city to encompass so be prepared to do a lot of walking and take public transit. The Nuit Blanche site has compiled all the schedule and route info you'll need. The site also features survival guides for finding Nuit Blanche ambassadors, where to eat and drink and suggested routes and itineraries.