Ten Wonders

Toronto Holiday Wonders: A shopping guide

By Jessica Donne

December 12, 2016

I’ve been holding off holiday shopping until next week when I’m off work, but I know the crowds will be intense. I will only survive with headphones, chill music and plenty of coffee.

Toronto’s best shopping spots:

Starting with the Mother of all Malls is the Eaton Centre. It’s flanked by Nordstroms, Saks and the Bay. All of them are flagship stores, waiting to be explored, along with stores on four levels inside the mall. The Bay also has the most beautiful Christmas window displays along Queen Street that were redsigned this year. Saks opened a Food Hall by Pusateri’s in the basement (umm excuse me, the concourse level). There, you can get everything from fresh bread to a glass at the Champagne Bar…not to shabby!

Pusateri’s Chocolate Shop

The Bay’s Reindeer Wall

The Bay’s Christmas Market

Hudson Bay Brand

2. Not to be missed is the Distillery’s Christmas Market, which is on until December 22nd. This photogenic and historic place is a favourite amongst locals and visitors so it is bonkers on the weekend. Luckily, I’ll be going during the week and will bypass the crowds.

Photo Credit: Toronto Christmas Market

3. One-of-a-Kind Christmas Show and Sale. OK, I’ve missed it this year but I’m just putting this here to remind us all for 2017. Held at the Exhibition Place, this is a vortex of Canadian artisans – hundreds of them. There are so many amazing handmade gifts, it’s hard to pick…but I like these a lot (hint).

Photo Credit: Concrete planters $10 to $25 by Laura Jaschke and Lucas McLellan, Double L Decor, Hamilton, ON

4. After all of that shopping, your feet will be tired. But right next door to the Eaton Centre is Nathan Phillips Square, home of this awesome outdoor rink. Tre is a 60 foot Christmas tree with 500,00 light, all sparkling around the rink.You can rent skates or do what I do, bring them everywhere!

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Photo Credit: City of Toronto

Wishing you a peaceful holiday. If you still have holiday shopping to do, do it somewhere fun! It will make you happy, I promise. Where do you like to shop for gifts in Toronto?

Toronto Street Art and the Art of Walking

By Jessica Donne

November 1, 2016

Toronto is a walking city.

As a bona fide downtown flaneur, jaywalker, occasional jogger and pack-mule, I walk everywhere. My mother says I never sat still for long and was always exploring for inspiration and ideas. Cities have that effect. They draw people into their vibrant noise and creativity. Cities are a reflection of the mega-talented hit-makers, the stealth street artists, the anarchist experimenters.

Standing in line is not my thing, but in Toronto, I tend to meet the most interesting people. I prefer to move and if I can see some art along the way, even better.

Here’s a easy walking tour of Toronto’s indoor and outdoor art scene that can be done in a loop, and started from any point. Don’t worry, there are plenty of places to sit and take in some interesting people watching. Toronto has the best of both.

Vancouver: The Secrets of Stanley Park

By Jessica Donne

October 18, 2016

This is part of a series on exploring cities and the wonder that comes from discovering something unexpected.

Stanley Park, a large urban park in the heart of downtown Vancouver, is a place of natural West Coast beauty surrounded by mountains and sea. It’s packed with modern sculptures, First Nations totem poles, secret lakes, beaches, gardens and the Vancouver Aquarium.

Getting around

Stanley Park is easy to get to by bus, car, bike or by foot. Once you’re there, you can take the shuttle, miniature train, go for swim, run the trails, book a horse-drawn carriage, or take a walking tour. Here’s an interactive map.

If you rent a bike, you can see most of the park in one go. Vancouver is a wonderful city to bike around with dedicated bike lanes. You can rent bikes from Mobi bike share but I recommend a mountain or hybrid for touring around Stanley Park from Simon’s Bike Shop if you’re staying on the east side, or if you’re near Stanley Park, go to Spokes or English Bay Bike Rentals. They can get you kitted up and riding around town in no time.

Seawall

Beloved by walkers and joggers alike, the Seawall is part of Vancouver’s uninterrupted waterfront trail, which happens to be the world’s longest. It starts at the Convention Centre and wraps all the way around the park.