A 1000 Ways to Discover and Connect to South Eastern Ontario

Alison Gibson rolls up to the curb outside of Brockville’s City Hall in her luxury Volkswagen Atlas, ready to whisk our group of six off on a guided and carefully-curated adventure through A 1000 Ways. 

We hop in and we’re off on a Tour de Taste, a culinary road trip through South Eastern Ontario designed for food lovers. The countryside is rolling outside the windows and bright sky visible through the panoramic moonroof; we’re all smiles as we embark on a bespoke journey with Gibson as the driver and expert guide. She’s thought of everything from car blankets to a cooler in the back for any treats we pick up along the way.

Gibson explains that Tour de Taste was created in collaboration with Chef Cynthia Peters of Maison Maitland Cooking School & Villas. It’s designed for those who want to go beyond the grocery aisle and experience how local chefs, bakers, and artisans source, create, and share their craft. We’re excited to hear that from small-batch caramels and gelato to chef-driven comfort food and cider from a third-generation apple farm, it's going to be a delicious day.

As we pull into the first stop in Athens, it quickly becomes apparent these aren’t off-the-shelf experiences — they’re intimate, privately-curated journeys built around real connection, thoughtful storytelling, and a deep love for this region.

“I started A 1000 Ways because I believe the most unforgettable travel experiences aren’t found in guidebooks or crowded attractions — they’re tucked into the corners of small towns, behind the counters of local makers, and in the stories that often go untold,” Gibson said. “My goal is to bring those hidden gems into the spotlight, and introduce travellers to the people and places that truly define South Eastern Ontario.”

Walking through the door at Luke’s European Style Market, we’re greeted with smiles, stories and a chance to peruse this unique cafe. Luke himself carefully crafts our hot drinks and talks about the shop, his compotes and chutneys, and coffee culture. An artistic pour finishes off my vanilla bean latte before we wave goodbye to Luke and take some photos with the unique murals in Athens before hitting the road again to get a nourishing lunch at C’est Tout Bakery & Bistro.

Gibson is in her element, telling us about how A 1000 Ways came together as the result of a lifelong love for nature, connection, and the hidden beauty of our region. Offering private tours for up to six guests, the experience is intimate and tailored; thoughtfully planned to feel relaxed and personal.

Guests are picked up from their accommodations and travel in luxury, following a curated route that weaves together scenic drives, engaging stops, and authentic encounters with local artisans, food producers, wineries, breweries, and small-scale makers. At each stop, they might sample something delicious, chat with the maker, or get a behind-the-scenes look at how something is crafted. There’s always time to browse, connect, and take it all in.

“Whether it's a half-day or full-day experience, guests walk away with a deeper understanding of the area and the incredible people who call it home,” Gibson said.

That rings true, after the owner of C’est Tout chats tableside with us during a portion of lunch - and again at Stella Luna Gelato Cafe in charming Merrickville. Founder and gelato guru, Tammy Giuliani, serves us each three incredible gelatos and then sits down in a cozy corner of the cafe to tell us about the process of creating her internationally-awarded recipes. Her passion for crafting truly authentic gelato radiates in her storytelling and connects us to what we’re savouring in a special way. We all agree it’s the smoothest and most delicious gelato we’ve ever tasted.

After stopping into the vibrant and sweet Pickle & Myrrh to sample some handcrafted caramels made in Merrickville (and purchase some for the road!), we’re on our way to Hall’s Apple Market for hard cider tastings. This third-generation family farm also includes a bakery and country boutique where you can find everything apple. Walking into Hall’s the aroma of freshly-baked pies is heavenly. We have some shopping time here, picking up apple bread, apple chips, strudels and more, all made on site like grandma used to. Then we head into the tasting room, where we are greeted with four hard cider tastings ranging from dry to sweet all with unique flavour profiles, alongside house-baked treats like ginger cookies and apple tart samples.

In addition to Tour de Taste, another A 1000 Ways tour worth noting is The Regional Journey which blends nature, farm life, and wine. Gibson said guests take in sweeping views from a forest lookout, walk with goats or kid cuddles while in season, enjoy a wine tasting at a lakeside vineyard, and explore a unique general store-meets-social house. “It’s relaxed, playful, and really captures the slower pace and hidden charm of this area,” Gibson said. 

Both tours are personal, hands-on, and offer exclusive access to makers and spaces to foster that feeling of discovery and connection that is a constant on Gibson’s tours.

After the day of discovering unique tastes across the Brockville and Rideau region, Gibson delivers us safely and satisfied back to our starting point, where we talk about the day and how it inspired connections.

That’s what Gibson said she ultimately hopes gets taken away from her tours at A 1000 Ways: curiosity and appreciation while travelling with intention. 

“I want guests to feel like they’ve discovered something truly special: a place, a story, a flavour that they wouldn’t have found on their own,” she said. “If they leave feeling like they’ve experienced something exclusive, meaningful, and unforgettable, that’s everything I could hope for.”

For more information about A 1000 Ways or to book a tour, connect online or follow along on Facebook @A1000WAYS or on Instagram @A1000WaysTours.