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© 2026 The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
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The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast is where travel, food, and culture meet. Hosted by San Francisco–based travel writer, storyteller, and mom of two teens Shannon Gomes, the show features thoughtful conversations with experts in the food and wine world, avid travelers, creators, tastemakers, and locals who reveal what truly makes a destination memorable—and how to experience it like a local, with food always at the center of the journey.
From unforgettable meals and hidden neighborhoods to meaningful cultural experiences and practical travel insight, each episode is designed to inspire curious travelers—especially Gen X listeners who value depth, connection, and great food—to explore the world more intentionally and to bring a sense of discovery back home.
Shannon is also the writer behind The Gomes Guide (https://thegomesguide.substack.com), a weekly travel-focused Substack filled with stories, recommendations, and inspiration for meaningful travel. Listeners are invited to subscribe for fresh ideas, insider tips, and destination inspiration delivered each week.
Whether you’re planning your next trip or simply dreaming about one, The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast celebrates connection, community, and the joy of experiencing new places through food and travel.
39 Episodes
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What happens when you visit 130+ countries… and really connect with people along the way? In this episode, I sit down with travel journalist, speaker, and nonprofit founder Sucheta Rawal to talk about what she’s learned from a life spent exploring the world, and how those experiences have shaped the way she sees humanity. We talk about her journey from working in finance to becoming a full-time travel writer, and the persistence it takes to turn a passion into a career. But what stayed ...
Dreaming about Portugal? This episode will make you want to go… and eat everything. I’m joined by chef, cookbook author, restaurant owner, and culinary tour operator Joanne Weir to talk about why Porto and the Douro Valley might be one of the most magical food and wine destinations in the world. We dive into what makes this region so special, from the terraced vineyards along the Douro River (a UNESCO World Heritage site) to the warm, welcoming culture that revolves around gatherin...
Ever wondered what your teens are really thinking on family trips? In this special episode, I sit down with two of my favorite guests, my own two teens, to get their honest take on traveling as teens… and let’s just say, they don’t hold back. We talk about everything from how involved they want to be in planning (spoiler: they want a say) to what actually makes a trip fun from their perspective. They share their must-haves for long flights (AirPods, snacks, and comfy clothes are non-neg...
What does it really take to move your life to Switzerland… and start a family there? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kassie Borreson, who moved from San Francisco to Zurich with her husband, brought along their two cats (yes, really), and had her first baby shortly after arriving. We talk about what inspired the move, from a desire to live abroad again to the opportunity through her husband’s job (a key piece when it comes to visas and making it all possible). Then we get int...
What would make someone walk hundreds of miles across Spain… and then go back and do it again? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Sofie Dolan, who has hiked the Camino de Santiago not once, but twice, to talk about what makes this experience so powerful, addictive, and honestly… life-changing. If you’re not familiar, the Camino is a network of ancient pilgrimage routes that lead to Santiago de Compostela in northwest Spain, and people walk it for all kinds of reasons: adventure,...
Thinking about Budapest? This episode will put it on your list. I sit down with Lori Wright, who recently traveled to Hungary on a photography tour, to talk about why Budapest might be one of the most beautiful (and underrated) cities in Europe. From the moment she arrived, it was the architecture that stood out, dramatic Gothic buildings, castles perched above the Danube, and bridges stretching across the river that divide Buda and Pest. We talk about what to do if you’re visiting for ...
Thinking about Puerto Vallarta? This episode will make you want to book the flight. I sit down with Kathleen, who splits her time between the U.S. and Mexico, to talk about what makes Puerto Vallarta and the greater Banderas Bay such a special place to visit… or even live. We zoom out first, because Puerto Vallarta is just one part of a much bigger, vibrant region filled with beach towns, jungle landscapes, and a truly global mix of cultures. We talk about what makes this destination so...
Want to travel lighter, stress less, and actually feel good when you land? This episode is packed (pun intended) with tips. I’m joined again by seasoned traveler Sylvia Klinger, who has visited 50+ countries and logs over 200,000 miles a year, to break down how to pack and fly like a pro. We start with packing, and Sylvia’s biggest rule: start early. Like… two weeks early. She shares how to build a simple capsule wardrobe, why she never checks a bag, and the exact essentials she always ...
If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing a European Christmas market… this episode will make you want to book the trip immediately. I sit down with travel writer Maggie Downs to talk about her journey through some of the most magical Christmas markets in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and how the experience completely changed the way she sees the holiday season. We talk about what these markets are really like, from twinkling lights and festive music to the feeling of walking through ...
What if you could live somewhere with no cars, no stores, and nothing but nature all around you? In this episode, I sit down with my friend Alicia Riley, who lives full-time on Dewees Island, a tiny, car-free barrier island just 20 minutes from Charleston, South Carolina… and it might just be one of the most magical places in the U.S. We talk about what it’s really like to live there, from taking a 15-minute ferry to get home to unloading groceries into wheelbarrows and getting around b...
What does it really take to pack up your life and move across the world… with two young kids? In this episode, I sit down with Emma Shoemaker, who moved her family from Florida to Australia after more than a decade in the U.S., to talk about what that transition actually looks like, from selling almost everything they owned to navigating visas, logistics, and a whole lot of uncertainty. We get into the emotional side of the move (spoiler: it’s a rollercoaster), plus the very real logist...
If you love food and travel… this episode is for you. I sit down with Kara Ricciardi, founder of Stretchy Pants Food Tours in San Francisco, to talk about how food tours can completely transform the way you experience a destination. Kara has traveled to over 80 countries (yes, 80!) and is a trained chef, so she brings a unique perspective on how food, culture, and connection all come together when you travel. We talk about how she turned her love of food and travel into a business, and ...
Planning a trip to Seattle? This episode is your insider guide. I sit down with Natalie Compagno, a California native who’s been living in Seattle for the past decade (and has traveled to over 100 countries), to talk about what makes this city so special, from its creative energy to its deep connection to nature. We get into the soul of Seattle, a place shaped by First Nation cultures, Scandinavian roots, and a thriving food, music, and coffee scene that goes way beyond the stereotypes....
Chile might not be at the top of your travel list… but after this episode, it just might be. I sit down with Paula Tejeda, a Chilean-born chef, cultural ambassador, and founder of San Francisco’s beloved Chile Lindo, to talk about what makes Chile such a unique and unforgettable destination. From the Atacama Desert in the north to Patagonia in the south, Chile is a country of extremes, think volcanoes, glaciers, wine valleys, and a coastline that rivals California’s. Paula shares what i...
What if you could experience a destination… before you even get there? In this episode, I sit down with travel writer and former tour guide Kyle Durnan-Kern, creator of the Travel by Music series, to talk about how music can completely transform the way you travel. Kyle creates deeply researched playlists for countries around the world, featuring artists who were born and raised there, spanning decades and genres, all designed to help you connect with a place on a deeper level. We talk ...
What’s it really like to travel to one of the most remote places on earth? In this episode, I sit down with Carolyn Shimek to talk about her two-month adventure through Patagonia, spanning both Chile and Argentina, where she and her husband traveled by truck camper, hiked across glaciers, and fully embraced life off the grid. We get into how they planned such an epic trip (including working with a local travel planner), and what it’s actually like to overland across Patagonia, from find...
Want to take better photos when you travel? This episode will completely change how you see the world. I sit down with legendary travel photographer Robert Holmes, who has been shooting professionally since 1979 (including work for National Geographic), to talk about what actually makes a great travel photo. We go beyond camera settings and gear, and get into the real heart of photography: storytelling. Bob shares why the best photos capture a true sense of place, not just something “pr...
Planning a trip to Rome? This episode will help you experience it beyond the crowds. I sit down with Renee, who has been visiting Rome since she was 15 (and even studied abroad there), to talk about what makes this city so unforgettable… and how to experience it like a local. We talk about that first moment in Rome, when you realize just how ancient it is (a “new” bridge is 700 years old), and why the real magic isn’t just in the big sights like the Colosseum or Trevi Fountain, but in t...
If you’ve ever driven down Highway 1 and wondered what it’s like to actually live in Half Moon Bay… this episode is for you. I sit down with local resident Marcus D., Star 101.3 Morning Show Host, to talk about life in this coastal town just 30 minutes from San Francisco, a place he describes as feeling like “the Shire,” where the pace slows down and the ocean is always close by. We get into what makes Half Moon Bay so special, from its tight-knit community and small-town feel to the co...
What if you found a place in the world that just… felt like home? In this episode, I sit down with Jen Belcher, who has traveled solo to Scotland three times in one year (yes, really), to talk about what keeps pulling her back. We start in Edinburgh, one of the most beautiful and walkable cities in Europe, and then head north to Inverness and the Scottish Highlands, where Jen shares highlights like visiting Culloden Battlefield, exploring Loch Ness, and taking a small group tour with a ...
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