Best of 2025
2025 took us on some unforgettable adventures through forests and along coastlines, into cozy cafés, bustling bars, and tiny boutique hotels. Here's a round-up of the spots and experiences that made last year one to remember.
Hikes & Activities
Flowerpot Island, Tobermory
Our end-of-September Tobermory camping trip included one of the most memorable trail walks of 2025. We took the ferry to Flowerpot Island on a cool, crisp autumn day, after having camped nearby. Sitting on the top deck, the fresh air felt genuinely restorative. We both commented on how much we needed it, given how much time we spend on screens for work.
Observing the rock formations, shaped by nature into the form of flowerpots, was the obvious highlight, but we also found ourselves talking about how cool it would be to camp there one day, especially since there aren't any bears on Flowerpot Island. We developed a new fear of bears after a couple nights of being spooked at the Tobermory campground during bear season. :)
Flowerpot Island was breathtakingly beautiful, and we loved every part of the experience, from the ferry ride there to the peaceful journey back. After returning to Tobermory, we rounded out the camping trip with a beer on a pub balcony overlooking the water. It was late September and the trees hadn't yet turned, but we couldn't stop talking about coming back when they did, because we honestly couldn't imagine the place being any more beautiful than it already was.
Stays
Somewhere Inn, Collingwood
Somewhere Inn is an obvious mention, especially if you've seen our page, as we've shared about it quite a bit. There's a unique charm to this boutique hotel that somehow makes non-winter-sports people like us want to try skiing and fully lean into winter life, even just for a weekend.
We loved the sauna and cold plunge, which is a standout for many, but what really stayed with us were the details: the old photographs on the walls, the bingo card pointing you toward local spots, and especially the lobby bar, where we spent a lot of our time, always lingering longer than planned.
A few local favourites from our time there: Misfits Bodega for bagels (top tip: order them in your room for breakfast), Gibson & Co for coffee, and Bar Gondola for a late-night drink.
Beers
Brooky's Wine Bar, Collingwood
Brooky's Wine Bar is what we mean when we talk about the lobby bar at Somewhere Inn. It's a small, cozy space with candlelit tables and a warm glow that makes you want to sit and stay awhile. We're a beer-loving duo, and while there were lots of great options, a couple that stood out to us were the Burdock Vermonty Blond and Slake Long Sleeves.
Food
Willibald, Cambridge
This was our favourite pizza of 2025. Our experience was so good, you probably saw our post about it already. Josh's sister recommended Willibald, and she didn't miss. We were already hungry when we arrived, and the aroma of the place only intensified it. We loved the yellow light fixtures, the pizza boxes stacked near the windows, and the friendliness of the staff. Go get pizza here!!! Plain and simple.
Rizzo's, Crystal Beach
We stopped at Rizzo's on our way to see Blue Goose Farm and immediately knew it was worth it. The line started inside and trailed outside, and we were lucky to get in. We waited out the quoted time in our car and were more than happy to do so.
The food was obviously great, but the feel of the place stood out most to us. Knowing it was a Matty Matheson restaurant, and with Josh being a big fan (and owner of a few of his cookbooks), it was a cool experience to finally see the space in person. The curtain at the entrance made it feel like you were walking into something special, and it was. We ate until we both had stomach aches. The mozzarella sticks were the highlight.
Coffee
Disko, Cambridge
Disko is a place we visit every time we're in Cambridge. We always know we've arrived once we spot the pastel yellow sign in the snow.
We both order the Disko latte with oat milk (so good), take our time, and browse the shelves lining one wall filled with books on art, food, photography, and local work.
On our most recent visit, the main space was full, so we wandered into a tucked-away back room with dim lighting, more shelves, and cool fixtures. It almost felt like a little speakeasy within the café — quiet, cozy, and easy to lose track of time in.
For Our Ears
Serial playing in the background during long drives, filling the space between conversations, every so often having to pause for Josh to recap when my brain zoned out.
Filed under: Fieldnotes, 2025
