Earlier in the year, we (on the up! web team) convinced our Publisher to give us a budget to run a little pilot project to have "City Specialists" in a few cities across Canada. The idea behind having City Specialists is that they become our local expert who provide us with web exclusive travel stories each month. They are our eyes and ears in their respective city so that if there's something you need to know about they're the ones who tell us.

It took me a while to track down the right people for the job, but now that we have them in place I thought it would be rude to not give them a proper introduction: Lori Henry, Corinne McDermott, Sarah Lolley and Tara McClair.

I sent them all a couple of questions and here are some of their answers.

Lori Henry

Lori Henry is up! magazine's City Specliast in Vancouver, British Columbia.

RS: Can you introduce yourself?

LH: A lil’ bit about myself: I am a born and bred B.C. girl, growing up just outside of Vancouver in Port Coquitlam (but everyone calls it PoCo). I moved to the “big city” as soon as I graduated high school to become a star, well, to attend acting school. After that, I bummed around the film industry for a few years, auditioning for really bad commercials and making a few indie films (no, you can’t find them at your local Blockbuster) before packing it up to go travelling. I explored Paris and France three times for a month each and came back bored with waiting around for my agent to call. So I began penning stories about my travels and selling them to local publications. Although my outlets have expanded, I’m pretty much still doing the same thing, although full time now.

RS: What's something few people know about you?

LH: I was a Polynesian dancer from the age of two until about 12. Yes, I can Hula, but I can also race you around the rink on skates any day. Just try me.

RS: What's your favourite destination, outside of your home city?

LH: I don’t think anywhere can beat Nova Scotia and, in particular, Cape Breton. I could dance all day and night (and I have!) to the fiddle music that seeps out of that province. I don’t stop smiling when I’m there.

RS: Where do you take friends when they visit?

LH: Main Street! Strolling along Main St. is one of my favourite things to do. From about 7th Avenue until 30th, the street is lined with funky boutiques, eclectic eateries and an understated hip vibe. Although, the new Tim Horton’s sign at Main and Broadway makes me uneasy.

Corinne McDermott

Corinne McDermott is up! magazine's City Specliast in Toronto, Ontario.

RS: What would be your perfect day in Toronto?

CM: A perfect day for me in Toronto would be to have a bit of a lie in (a rare treat with little kids) and then brunch at Sunset Grill and then off to either Centre Island or Riverdale Farm for a wander.

RS: What's the biggest misconception about your city?

CM: The biggest misconception about Toronto is that it's cold and unfriendly. In the winter months you can't do much about the chill in the air, but Torontonians are warm and proud of their city.

RS: What is your favourite destination (and it can't be Toronto)?

CM: We love Cuba. The island is ruggedly beautiful and the people and culture are amazing. We've been almost annually for the past 4 years.

RS: How do you find new stories for up! magazine?

CM: I think about places that I love or am interested in as a local, and figure visitors would love or be interested in them too.

Sarah Lolley

Sarah Lolley is up! magazine's City Specliast in Montreal, Quebec.

RS: Are you originally from Montreal?

SL: I grew up in rural Ontario but moved to Montreal because I loved the pulse of the city. I’ve left it several times to go on long traveling stints or to live abroad, but I always come back.

RS: What would be your perfect day in Montreal?

SL: Happily for me, I get to have my perfect day in the city all the time. I’d start out with breakfast at L’Express, then go for a long walk through Mont-Royal Park. In the afternoon, I’d window shop along St-Denis street, then head down to Scandinave Les Bains for a relaxing few hours at the spa. Afterwards, I’d try out a newly opened restaurant that’s gotten rave reviews (we are spoiled when it comes to eating in this city), then have a night-cap on a terrace with some friends.

RS: What's the biggest misconception about your city?

SL: People mistakenly think that things are uniquely French in Montreal. But Montreal is truly a multi-lingual city. Most residents speak both English and French, and visitors will also hear Vietnamese, Portuguese, Greek, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew and more.

RS: What is your favourite destination, outside of Montreal?

SL: I had the opportunity to visit St. Lucia two years ago for a story for up! magazine, and when the winter in Montreal gets long, I start wishing I were back there!

Tara McClair

Tara McClair is up! magazine's City Specliast in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

RS: Can you introduce yourself?

TM: I'm a graduate from the University of King's College and I've lived in Halifax my whole life. I love living next to the ocean and couldn't imagine living anywhere else. That being said, I love to travel! I've been across Canada and across the Pacific Ocean, but there's always something about this city that draws me back to the East Coast.

RS: What would be your perfect day in your respective city?

TM: Halifax has so much to offer, it's hard to choose what to do for a "perfect" day. I would want to spend the morning on the Halifax Harbourwalk, the longest boadwalk in the world. Take a ride on the ferry and enjoy the Historic Properties. Then head to Spring Garden Road for lunch and shopping. Later in the afternoon, take off to catch some waves at the beach (or of it's raining, visit one of Halifax's art galleries or museums). In the evening, see a live theatre production at Neptune Theatre, then drink some local ale while listening (and dancing) to live music at one of the many pubs downtown.

RS: What's the biggest misconception about your city?

TM: A lot of people think "Nova Scotia" and immediatly picture a small, rural fishing community. It's a postcard that I've seen time and time again—the one that has a lighthouse on a cliff, next to a warf with a small fishing boat. Nova Scotia does have beautiful, rugged shorelines and charming towns that do thrive on the fishing and farming industries, but the city of Halifax is decidedly urban and modern. Downtown Halifax is filled with fine restuarants, art galleries, museums, boutiques, historic buildings, beautiful gardens, and an impressive variety if nightlife and live entertainment.

RS: Where is your favourite spot in Halifax, if you dare to share?

In the summer, I reccommend taking a drive out to Martinique Beach. My favourite beach in Halifax, with white sand and huge waves. You'll forget that you are only a few minutes outside of the city.