Not every travel moment belongs in a guidebook, and often, those are the ones that become the best stories. This category celebrates the "Unfiltered Year"—the instances where the lens caught a fleeting, perfect light and the moments where the best-laid plans fell completely apart. These are the stories that remind us that travel is a messy, beautiful, and deeply human endeavor.


Winner: Going into the wrong apartment in Limassol. Because of the poor lighting and travel fatigue, we missed the detail in the instructions about there being two separate units. After finding two sets of keys in the lockbox, we accidentally entered the upstairs apartment. We immediately contacted the host to complain about the lack of towels and the messy state of the rooms, but she insisted everything was ready. It wasn’t until the next day, when we met the host outside, that we realized our mistake: our unit was actually on the first floor. Looking back a tour WhatsApp instructions, they were perfectly clear. We simply messed up!





Winner: Waiting in line at the famous Hot dogs stand in Bergen. Maybe we should have tried the reindeer dog, but even after the wait, we were just underwhelmed by the whole experience. It’s a good reminder that "famous" doesn't always mean "favorite".



Winner: Winemaker who was in crocs and didn't speak English. This was the definition of an unpolished, authentic encounter. He kept leaving the tasting to check on his family, and he had his fly down for the duration of our visit. Despite the comedy of errors, the wine was great, and we laugh about it every time we open a bottle of Alsatian wine.


Winner: Dancing lights of the aurora. It’s a bucket list, it’s spectacular, it’s beautiful, and it’s dancing!! This photo serves as the perfect portal back to that magical night on the North Sea.

Winner: Orcas. These majestic creatures are made all the more special due to how rare they are to see and this was our first time seeing them. Witnessing them in their natural habitat was a raw, breathtaking look at nature’s power.


Winner: Fog rolling in over town in Switzerland. This was so perfect that we actually were pretty quiet while it was happening, but couldn't stop talking about it afterward. It captured the "vibe" of our Swiss adventure in a single shot.


Winner: Tom and I in Aya Napia. Our guide showed us a hidden spot to climb down to get to that opening in the rock. We love this picture and its representation of this chapter in our lives—exploring the unknown together.


Winner: Fairy Forest. As lovers of fantasy books and movies, to be able to capture a shot that you have built up in your imagination is truly special. It felt like stepping directly into one of our favorite stories.
Orca Hunt, Norway: Capturing the intense moment of orcas hunting a humpback whale.
Akamas Gorge Beach, Cyprus: A great reminder of the intensity and beauty of that amazing day.
Ayia Napa Waves, Cyprus: A video capturing the intensity and quiet beauty of the Mediterranean.
Aurora Time-lapse, Norway: A video that allows us to relive the spectacular experience of that night.
Winner: Ava's time-lapse of northern lights. This captured what we experienced that night so well that it feels like we are reliving it every time we watch. It managed to catch the "dance" that still lives in our memories.
Note: this award only has one entry. We are still learning when to sit back and just be part of the moment, and when to see it behind a device to ensure you capture it.
Orca Hunt: Raw footage of orcas hunting a humpback as it dives deep to escape.
Winner: Orcas video. We especially love the part where they are hunting the humpback and we see it dive deep to get away. It’s a rare look at nature's raw action that we were incredibly lucky to film.

Beaune France Bike Ride: A humorous attempt to use a camera stabilizer that turned out to be more trouble than it was worth.
Dina in Eguisheim France: Silly moments that perfectly captured the happy spirit of a fun day.
Winner: Dina being silly in Egusheim. We had such a fun day and everyone was happy; Dina being silly perfectly captured the lighthearted spirit of that entire experience.
The "Unfiltered Year" reminds us that travel isn’t just about the glossy photos—it’s about the messy, hilarious, and unexpected moments that happen in between. While we’ll always treasure the bloopers and the snapshots, there are some experiences that go much deeper than a funny story. Join us for the final chapter of our 2025 Tally: The Grand Finale, where we reveal the people and memories that defined the soul of our year.
We’re blending our passion for wine with a love for global exploration. Join us as we journey through the world's most captivating destinations, uncovering hidden wine gems and offering unique workshop experiences for your team retreats. Whether you're seeking to enhance team dynamics or discover the art of slow travel, let us be your guide.






