The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
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.
The Gomes Guide Travel Podcast
Walking 10,000 Miles: Jenn Baljko’s Journey from Bangkok to Barcelona
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What would it take to walk 10,000 miles across two continents?
In this episode, I sit down with author and adventurer Jenn Baljko, who spent three and a half years walking from Bangkok to Barcelona with her partner. Yes… on foot.
We talk about what inspired this wild idea, how they planned (and improvised) along the way, and what it really feels like to live out of a backpack for years. But what stayed with me most? The kindness of strangers. Jenn shares powerful stories from the road that challenge so many of the fears we carry, especially as Americans.
We also get into solo travel, midlife reinvention, and how to build the confidence to just go, even when you’re not 100% ready.
If you’ve been craving a big adventure, or even just a new perspective, this one will stick with you.
See photos and read highlights from our interview here.
👉 For more travel stories, tips, and inspiration, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.
You can learn more about Jenn Baljko by visiting her website: alwaysonmyway.com.