The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast

Shannon Gomes
  • 5.0 (5)
  • Places & Travel
  • Updated Biweekly

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.  

  1. 4d ago

    She Studies the World Through a Glass: A Conversation with Kimberly Noelle Charles

    Some conversations make you want to pour a glass and never stop listening. This is one of them. Kimberly Noelle Charles is the founder of Charles Communications Associates, one of the most respected wine marketing communications firms in the country — and one of the most passionate storytellers I've ever had the pleasure of sitting down with. She started her career as a part-time sommelier at Georgetown, selling wine to lobbyists on commission while studying foreign service and rowing crew. She thought it would be a side hustle. Instead, it became the foundation for a career spanning more than four decades and taking her around the world. She's 45 years deep in this industry. And she is still completely lit up by it. We go well beyond wine in this one. This conversation is really about curiosity, connection, and why the best glass is always the one you share. In This Episode: How a college side hustle selling wine to D.C. lobbyists accidentally launched a 45-year careerWhat it took to become one of the first Americans to earn the WSET Diploma — and why she was convinced she'd failedThe move west to lead communications for the Gallo of Sonoma relaunch and what California taught her that New York never couldThree underappreciated California wine regions you're probably driving right past — the Petaluma Gap, the Sierra Foothills, and the Anderson ValleyWhy Americans are actually some of the most informed wine drinkers in the world — and what Europe still does betterWhat the Toji sake masters of Japan's Niigata prefecture taught her about humility, craft, and leadershipThe quote that stopped me in my tracks: "They are asking not to be taught about wine. They want to be invited to wine."The Come Together campaign she's been building with Karen MacNeil and Gino Colangelo — and why it matters right nowRapid fire: favorite SF restaurants, a hidden gem in Marin, a dream Paso Robles road trip with the Ladies Who Lunch, and the bottles she'd open to convert a wine skepticLinks:  Charles Communications Associates — charlescomm.comFollow Kimberly on Instagram: @alltheswirl and @cbruleeItata in Chile https://www.winesofchile.org/winegrowing-regions/Niigata prefecture & sakes https://www.niigata-sake.or.jp/en/Petaluma Gap https://petalumagap.com/Visit Mendocino https://www.visitmendocino.com/Sierra foothills https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sierra_Foothills_AVAPaso Robles https://www.travelpaso.com/plan-your-trip/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1588561142&gbraid=0AAAAAC7I7giEs9G1jN9jgjTKcWY5L4QKc&gclid=CjwKCAjwxb7RBhA5EiwAQ-AAdHSdu5R0ooP7Uscil3DonWJEjMUq7Hh4tcs8D_Di-lRUPqi4ri5-zBoCQckQAvD_BwERed Clay Strays https://www.redclaystrays.com/home; Kimberly's favorite song https://open.spotify.com/track/1HbzxLqpNVPdiBXvpC7Ovb?si=e799c21a2c4a496dStephen Wilson Jr. (Best new vocalist CMAs this year) Kimberly's favorite song: https://open.spotify.com/track/72RX8sK4OKFnUX2MBDOdBD?si=e912b7f6e43f47c2Enclos in Sonoma for her favorite pairing: https://enclos-sonoma.com/If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I'd be so grateful if you left a review — it really helps others discover the show! Support the show

    48 min

  2. Jun 2

    The Woman Behind One of Sonoma County's Most Thoughtful Wineries | Karin Warnelius-Miller of Garden Creek Vineyards

    Some conversations stop you in your tracks. This is one of them. Karin Warnelius-Miller is the proprietor, winemaker, and winegrower at Garden Creek Vineyards in Sonoma County's Alexander Valley — and her story is remarkable. Born on a dairy farm in Sweden, she immigrated to California in 1975, eventually falling in love with her childhood friend Justin Miller and building one of the most intentional, unhurried wineries in the region. Their estate Cabernet Sauvignon ages for eight years before release. That patience defines everything they do. We go well beyond wine in this one. This conversation is really about how we live. In This Episode: Swedish slow living — and what it actually looks like at the dinner table and in the vineyardHow Karin's father launched one of Sweden's first wineries, sourcing grapes from four continentsThe serendipitous job posting that brought her family to Sonoma CountyWhy Garden Creek has stayed deliberately small and appointment-onlyThe WärneliusMiller Pinot Noir and the Golden Fleece Vineyard in Anderson ValleyA horseback safari in Botswana that changed everythingWhy Americans need to embrace sauna cultureRapid fire: harvest season, Sonoma Coast oysters, seared filet with Cabernet reduction, and the two songs that soundtrack Garden CreekLearn more: Garden Creek Vineyards — gardencreekvineyards.comWärneliusMiller Family VineyardsIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show!  Support the show

    42 min

  3. May 19

    Food, Travel, and Midlife Reinvention with Cookbook Author Amanda Haas

    What happens when you spend your life teaching others how to cook — and finally give yourself permission to start living? That's exactly where Amanda Haas finds herself. A cookbook author (four books in, with a fifth on the way), former culinary director at Williams-Sonoma, and founder of the Substack community House of Hass, Amanda has spent decades helping people fall in love with cooking. Now she's channeling that same energy into something bigger: a whole new chapter of her own life. In this episode, we talk about the food memories that shaped her, why she always comes back to Italian and Mexican cuisine, and what it really means to cook with confidence (hint: it has nothing to do with being perfect). We also get into her move back to San Francisco, the neighborhood spots she loves, and why she believes the city has never been more alive. And then there's the midlife conversation — the one I think so many of us need to have. Amanda is refreshingly honest about what this season of life actually offers: clarity, freedom, and the radical permission to finally chase your own desires instead of everyone else's. Follow Amanda on Instagram: @amandahaascooks and find her recipes, live cooking shows, and community on Substack at Amanda Haas. If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I'd be so grateful if you left a review — it really helps others discover the show. Support the show

    39 min

  4. Apr 28

    From Lawyer to Travel Writer: How Jen Ruiz Built a Life Around Travel

    What happens when you stop chasing the “perfect” life and start building one that actually feels like yours? Jen Ruiz did just that. While working full-time as an attorney, she challenged herself to take 12 trips in 12 months—and that decision changed everything. In this episode, we talk about how Jen turned that experiment into a career as an award-winning travel journalist, best-selling author, 3x Tedx speaker, and the woman behind Jen on a Jet Plane. She shares what the transition from law really looked like and how she built a sustainable business around travel. We also get into her next big project: a cross-country road trip along the historic Lincoln Highway, where she’s exploring a bigger question—can a road built to unite us still do that today? Follow Jen on Instagram: @jenonajetplane.  If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. You can also follow on Instagram at: @thegomesguide. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show. Support the show Support the show

    39 min

  5. Apr 14

    National Parks Road Trip with Teens: Yellowstone, Grand Teton & Glacier

    If you’ve ever dreamed of taking a classic American road trip through the national parks with your family, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast, Shannon sits down with her friend Julie to talk about an unforgettable two-week road trip through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Glacier National Park—with three kids, including teens, in tow. Julie shares how they planned their route, where they stayed (from glamping tents to a HomeExchange in Montana), and the simple traditions that made the trip so special—from playing the license plate game and asking conversation questions in the car, to blasting Bon Jovi’s “Livin’ on a Prayer” at the halfway point of every drive. They also dive into practical tips for planning a national parks itinerary, including how far in advance to book, why visiting ranger stations is a game-changer, and how to keep teens engaged on long travel days. Along the way, the family experienced incredible wildlife sightings, swam in alpine lakes in the Tetons, and even soaked in hot springs under the stars in Montana. If you’re planning a national parks road trip—or just want inspiration for meaningful family travel—this episode is packed with ideas. ----- If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show. Support the show

    43 min

  6. Apr 7

    The San Francisco Experience I Can’t Stop Thinking About with Gregangelo Herrera

    In this episode, Shannon Gomes sits down with Gregangelo Herrera—artist, storyteller, and founder of the Gregangelo Museum in the Balboa Terrace neighborhood of San Francisco—a one-of-a-kind immersive art house that blends creativity, storytelling, and human connection in the most unexpected ways. Born and raised in San Francisco, Gregangelo shares what it was like growing up in the city during a time of cultural change, and how those experiences shaped his life’s work. We talk about how his home evolved from a crumbling rental into a San Francisco landmark, why he calls himself a “chronic collaborator,” and how art can bring people together in a way that feels especially needed right now. We also dive into his upcoming immersive experience at the Haas-Lilienthal House—“Earthquake: Shaken, But Standing Strong”—which brings history, storytelling, and emotion together in a powerful way. This is a thoughtful, inspiring conversation about creativity, connection, and rediscovering our sense of curiosity. ✨ In This Episode, We Cover: Growing up in San Francisco in the 70s and 80s  The evolution of the Gregangelo Museum into a landmark cultural space  Why we lose our childlike sense of creativity—and how to get it back  The power of in-person connection in a digital world  How immersive art experiences can spark real human connection  The story behind the upcoming “Earthquake” experience 🎟️ Mentioned in This EpisodeGregangelo Museum “Earthquake: Shaken, But Standing Strong” immersive experience 🌉 Connect + FollowIf you enjoyed this episode, be sure to follow The Gomes Guide Podcast and share it with someone who loves discovering unique travel and cultural experiences. You can also find more stories like this, plus travel recommendations and tips on the weekly The Gomes Guide newsletter on Substack.  Support the show

    46 min

  7. Mar 31

    Exploring New York City with a Local: Hidden Stories from Vibe Tours

    New York City is one of the most visited destinations in the world—but how much of it do we actually understand? In this episode, I sit down with Dana, founder of Vibe Tours in New York City, to uncover the stories hiding in plain sight across Lower Manhattan. A Brooklyn native and former Wall Street trader, Dana brings a unique insider perspective to the city’s history, culture, and energy. We talk about what makes New York so special, why each borough has its own personality, and how walking the city with a local can completely change your experience. From the real story behind the Charging Bull to the unexpected origins of New York’s jaywalking culture, this conversation is packed with fascinating insights—and plenty of travel inspiration. If you’re planning a trip to New York (or just love the city), this episode will make you see it in a whole new way. What We Cover in This Episode How Dana went from Wall Street trader to NYC tour guide  What makes Lower Manhattan one of the most fascinating neighborhoods in the city  The surprising history behind the Charging Bull statue  Why New Yorkers really jaywalk  The inspiration behind Dana’s Hamilton walking tour  The overlooked women who shaped Wall Street  Why New York City feels especially magical during the holidays  Dana’s favorite food spots and hidden gems in NYC  What she hopes visitors take away after exploring the city with herIf You’re Planning a Trip to NYCDana shares some great insider tips in this episode, including:  Where to find one of the best classic New York pizza slices  A hidden coffee shop inside a historic bank building  Why Lower Manhattan is the perfect area to explore in one day  When to visit popular spots like the Charging Bull to avoid crowds Learn MoreCheck out Dana’s tours here:  👉 https://www.vibenyctours.com/ Connect with MeIf you enjoyed this episode, make sure to subscribe to The Gomes Guide on Substack for more travel inspiration, tips, and stories. And if you love the podcast, I’d be so grateful if you left a review—it really helps others discover the show. Support the show

    33 min

  8. Mar 17

    How One Family Traveled Thailand for a Month With Kids

    What would it be like to pause your everyday routine and spend an entire month traveling with your family? In this episode, Shannon sits down with Anisha, a pharmacist, podcaster, and mom of two, who took her family on a 30-day adventure across Thailand. Traveling with children ages 3 and 8, they explored quiet islands, jungle landscapes, and vibrant coastal towns while learning how to slow down and truly experience a destination. Anisha shares how they planned the trip, found affordable flights, and mapped out an itinerary that included Phuket, Koh Lanta, Phi Phi Islands, Krabi, and Khao Sok National Park. Along the way, the family discovered peaceful beaches, cooked Thai curry in bamboo shoots during a jungle cooking class, and realized that some of the most memorable moments came from simple days spent swimming, exploring nature, and connecting as a family. If you’ve ever wondered whether long-term travel with kids is possible, practical, or even enjoyable, this episode offers inspiration, honest lessons, and practical tips for planning your own extended adventure. Connect with Shannon If you enjoyed this episode, please follow, rate, and review the podcast. It helps more travelers discover the show. You can also find more travel inspiration at:  🌍 The Gomes Guide: https://thegomesguide.com Support the show

    43 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

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.  

Information

  • Creator
    Shannon Gomes
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    47
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast

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