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Pauline Frommer's dad wrote a book for broke GIs stationed in Berlin so they'd stop being afraid to leave base. It became Europe on $5 a Day, the best-selling guidebook of all time. Seventy years later, Pauline runs the company he built, and she's still making his case: you don't need money to travel well, you need real information. In this episode, Pauline breaks down exactly what's wrong with asking AI where to eat in Rome (an AI has never slept in a hotel bed, and 95% of what it's repeating back to you is marketing), why she tells her writers to put something critical in every review, and what a guidebook still does for a family trip that Instagram and TikTok can't. We get into the actual tricks she uses to book flights and hotels for less, including a surprising loser in a recent Frommer's test of flight search engines, and why pricing online might depend on more than you think about who's asking. She also tells me about New Haven, Connecticut, a town she wasn't expecting to fall for while researching the upcoming Frommer's New England guide, and the best family trip she's ever taken, deep in the jungle in Belize. IN THIS EPISODE Why her dad wrote Europe on $5 a Day for fellow soldiers who thought travel required moneyWhat's actually behind an AI's answer when you ask it where to eat, and why 95% of it is marketingHow AI can pick up and repeat the internet's bias against neighborhoods without marketing budgetsWhy Frommer's writers are told to include something critical in every reviewWhat a guidebook does for a family trip that a TikTok "best of" list can'tThe K-shaped economy and why airfares are running 25% higher and hotels 20% higher right nowThe flight search site that beat Google Flights in Frommer's own testingHer VPN trick for searching flights and hotels, and why it stops working the moment you want airline pointsWhy you should always pay in your home currency, never let an app convert it for youNew Haven, Connecticut: free Yale museums, better pizza than she expected to admit, and one weekend to avoid bookingThe best family trip she's ever taken, in the jungle interior of BelizeLINKS MENTIONED Frommer's Travel Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-frommers-travel-show/id1050249676Frommers.com: https://www.frommers.com/Momondo: https://www.momondo.com/Yale University Art Gallery: https://artgallery.yale.edu/La Fonda on the Plaza, Santa Fe: https://www.lafondasantafe.com/FOLLOW THE GOMES GUIDE 🎧 Find The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-gomes-guide-travel-podcast/id1795995292), Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4hhv6kCh0Ik85nslRHDvx5), or wherever you listen. 📬 Read the full post, with photos, at thegomesguide.substack.com Support the show

Think traveling the world with kids is too complicated, too expensive, or just… not realistic? This episode might change your mind. I'm joined by Rebecca Ryell, a family travel coach, travel podcast host, doctor, and mom of three boys, who has spent the past 25 years figuring out how to make long-term, meaningful family travel actually doable. We start with the moment that hooked her on travel for good: getting rescued by fishermen at 18 after she and a friend ran out of fresh water on a trek gone sideways. It's the first of a lot of stories like it in this conversation. Strangers paying her ferry fare home when the money ran out. Neighbors feeding her cats while she's away. Families across five continents opening their homes to people they'd never met. Rebecca has spent 25 years collecting proof that people are kinder than the news would have you believe, and it's changed how she travels with her own kids. We also get into how she and her family have pulled this off logistically, from road-tripping across the U.S. in an RV to living in the jungle in Sumatra, all while raising three boys. One of the biggest game changers? HomeExchange. Rebecca breaks down exactly how it works, why it makes travel more affordable, and how it lets families live like locals instead of just visiting. Think staying in real neighborhoods, connecting with locals, and having experiences you simply can't get from a hotel. If you've been dreaming about traveling more with your kids but aren't sure how to make it happen, this episode is full of practical tips and real encouragement to get you started. To read highlights from this interview, plus see photos and read Rebecca's bio, visit my post on The Gomes Guide on Substack here. 👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide. Support the show

Lia Heath tried to book the Tour du Mont Blanc for her family in early February. She got laughed at. Some huts on that route open reservations at 7 a.m. and sell out in five minutes flat. What she booked instead turned into eight days and 70 miles across the Swiss Alps with her husband, Tad, and their two teenagers, William and Damen, hut to hut from Martigny to Zermatt on the Walker's Haute Route. In this episode, Lia and I talk through how a booking agency like Mont Blanc Experience gets you into remote huts that don't take reservations online, what those huts are actually like (spoiler: bunk mats on a wood floor, shoulder to shoulder with strangers), and the French-speaking family they became friends with entirely through sign language. We get into the gear that mattered (wool socks, hiking poles, a full month breaking in Salomons), the thunderstorm that hit half a mile from the final gondola, and how the whole family agrees fondue afterward tasted like a reward. We also zoom out to how Lia plans international trips with teenagers in general, from Bali and Komodo National Park to Tokyo and Egypt, how she and Tad split the planning work, and why the calendar is now harder to manage than the destination. IN THIS EPISODE How Lia ended up on the Walker's Haute Route after the Tour du Mont Blanc booked outWhat a hut-to-hut booking agency actually handles for you (luggage transfers, meals, remote reservations)What the huts are really like, from bunk mats to Swiss chalet innsMaking friends with a French-speaking family through sign language aloneThe thunderstorm on the last day, half a mile from the gondola into ZermattGear that made a difference: Salomon shoes, wool socks, hiking poles, hydration packsHow teenagers actually handle 12-mile days and 5,000 feet of elevation gainPlanning international trips as kids get older: Bali, Tokyo, Egypt, and what changes with teensHer top tips for a family hut-to-hut trip, and the one rule that applies to every trip: leave room to wanderLINKS MENTIONED Mont Blanc Experience: https://www.montblanc-experience.com/Salomon: https://www.salomon.com/en-us📬 Read the full post, with photos, by subscribing for free to The Gomes Guide on Substack: thegomesguide.substack.com Support the show

If you want a better trip, pick a wine region first and build everything else around it. That's the travel philosophy of Liz Barrett, Certified Specialist of Wine and the writer behind What's In That Bottle. In this episode, Liz and I trace her path from a job interview where she admitted she knew nothing about wine, to teaching herself the industry alongside Master Sommeliers, to passing the notoriously difficult CSW exam on her first try. We talk about what wine travel really looks like: researching regional wine consortiums before you fly, booking winery experiences anyone can reserve, walking a mile through the rain in Beaujolais, and coming home with eight bottles in your checked bag. She also shares the underrated regions she wants on your radar — Portugal beyond Vinho Verde, France's Languedoc, Washington State, the Finger Lakes, and the Northern Michigan wines she will personally defend — plus why she went 17 days in New Zealand without a single sip of Sauvignon Blanc. And if you've ever frozen at a wine list or gone quiet in a tasting room, this one's for you. Liz's rule: there are no dumb questions. Curiosity is the only credential you need. Find Liz at whatsinthatbottle.com and on Instagram at @lizbchicago. Read the full post, with photos and links to every wine, region, and shop mentioned, at thegomesguide.substack.com. The Gomes Guide Podcast is hosted by Shannon Gomes, a San Francisco-based travel writer and podcast host.  Support the show

If you want to really know a city, skip the landmarks and find the people feeding it. That's the philosophy behind Edible Excursions, the Bay Area's original walking food tour company — and the life's work of founder Lisa Rogovin. In this episode, I sit down with Lisa to talk about how a conversation with a Four Seasons hotel GM launched a 20-year business, what a seven-month solo food and wine journey across five continents taught her about people and place, and why she cried the first time she led a tour after 17 months of Covid shutdown. We also get into the guides who've stayed with her since the beginning, the proposals that have happened mid-tour, the small businesses she's championed through rising costs and a pandemic, and why she'd happily eat Japanese food for 30 straight days. Lisa knows this city's food scene better than almost anyone. This conversation is proof. In this episode: How a hotel GM redirected Lisa's Ferry Building dream into a businessWhat her seven-month, five-continent food journey taught her about storytellingWhy she's intentionally kept Edible Excursions local to the Bay AreaThe guides, the regulars, and the proposals that happen on food toursThe Nebraska woman at the farmers market who cried over berries — and why that moment says everythingComing back after 17 months of shutdown and leading her first tour againLisa's SF Rapid Fire Picks: Underrated neighborhood for food: The Tenderloin. Her current picks there: Bodega (Vietnamese, newly relocated), Outta Sight Pizza, Brenda’s for Cajun soul food and the best po’ boys and hush puppies in the city, and Onsen,Coffee: Best Boy Electric Coffee in Japantown, inside the New People Building — get the Okinawa brown sugar latte or the black sesame latte, and don’t skip the pastries. And Bernie’s Coffee in the Mission, a woman-owned shop that sources all its beans from women-owned farms across Latin America, roasts in Oakland, and has the kind of warm, community-oriented energy that makes you want to stay.Wine bar: 20 Spot in the Mission, on 20th off Valencia. Tiny, dimly lit, plays vinyl, tiny galley kitchen that punches well above its weight.Cuisine for a month: Japanese, without questionTop 3 restaurants: Super Mira Market — restaurant-quality Japanese food made by a former restaurant owner, four days a week, inside a grocery store; Kokkari, where she got married, which tells you everything about how she feels about it — the spreads, the lamb chops, the seasonally inspired menu; and Jilli, a Korean tapas spot in the Mission on 15th, tucked into the ground floor of an apartment building. Book a tour: edibleexcursions.net Gift certificates available — and highly recommended. Links & resources mentioned: Edible ExcursionsThe Gomes Guide: North Berkeley Food Tour postThe Gomes Guide SubstackFollow The Gomes Guide on Instagram: @thegomesguideSupport the show

If you want to know where to eat in Oakland, ask someone who moved there knowing no one and used food to figure it out. That's exactly what Kahja Elliott did — and it turned into Kay in the Bay, a platform that goes beyond where to eat and gets into why a place exists, who it's for, and what it represents. In this episode, Shannon sits down with Kahja to talk about Oakland's eclectic, endlessly surprising food scene, the spots worth seeking out in both Oakland and Berkeley, and why she thinks the best thing a visitor can do is keep it broad. They also get into how growing up watching PBS food and travel programming planted the seed for everything she's built — and where Kay in the Bay is headed next. This one is equal parts food guide, origin story, and love letter to the East Bay. Pull up your Notes app. You're going to need it. In This Episode: How Kahja went from wandering Oakland neighborhoods to building Kay in the BayGrowing up in the Bronx, living in Atlanta, and how three very different food cities shaped her palateWhy she tells every Oakland visitor to keep it broad — and what she means by thatThe Cook and Her Farmer (Old Oakland), Rose Lemon and Cao Cao Grill (Berkeley), and June's Pizza (West Oakland) — and exactly what to orderSweet treat must-visits: Gregory's Gourmet Desserts and Casa de ChocolatesHer favorite espresso martini, the red wine that converted her, and the farmer's market she'll always make time forWhy Kay in the Bay is expanding into food storytelling consultancy — and what that actually looks likeHer favorite food city outside the Bay Area (hint: it involves a very unexpected egg roll)Connect with Kahja: Website: kayinthebay.comInstagram: @heykinthebayPodcast: As Told By (available wherever you listen)Substack: Life Size BitesIf 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 with me most is this: after traveling to more than 130 countries, Sucheta believes we are far more alike than we are different. We get into: The power of sharing a meal with someone from a completely different cultureWhy travel challenges the narratives we see in the mediaTransformative experiences, from conversations with indigenous communities to a silent spiritual trek in JapanWe also talk about what responsible travel really means today, from supporting local businesses to leaving a positive impact on the places we visit. And I love what she said: it’s not about what you take from a destination… it’s about what you leave behind. Sucheta also shares more about her nonprofit, Go Eat Give, which creates meaningful travel experiences that connect travelers with local communities around the world. If you’ve ever wondered how travel can change the way you see the world, and your place in it, this conversation will stay with you. 👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide. Support the show