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
Solo Travel to Paris: Finding Yourself, Slowing Down & Saying Yes with Amy Boyle
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Have you ever dreamed of taking a solo trip to Paris… but felt a little unsure about doing it alone?
In this episode, I sit down with journalist and storyteller Amy Boyle to talk about her three-week solo journey to Paris and why it was exactly what she needed during a time of personal change and loss.
We talk about how she planned the trip, stayed safe, and explored the city at her own pace, from wandering different neighborhoods to discovering charming cafés and hidden gardens. Amy shares simple but brilliant tips for solo travel, including how to navigate a new city confidently and how to build flexibility into your days.
But this conversation goes deeper than logistics. We talk about what it really feels like to spend extended time alone, how solo travel helps you reconnect with yourself, and why slowing down might be the most meaningful part of any trip.
Amy also shares a few beautiful rituals you can try, like writing postcards to yourself, plus easy ways to start small, like taking yourself out for coffee or planning a solo weekend close to home.
If you’ve been craving time for yourself or thinking about your first solo trip, this episode will give you the nudge (and the confidence) to go for it.
👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.
Amy’s Paris recommendations:
- Hotel worth the splurge: Hotel Dupond Smith (only has 8 rooms!)
- Must-visit bookstore: Shakespeare and Company
- Books to read: At the Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell, The Art of French Eating by Ann Mah, Paris by Gertrude Stein and The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
- Movies that take place in Paris: Julie and Julia, Before Sunset, and Midnight in Paris
- Favorite restaurants: La Mansion Rose, Le Consulat Café (great mussels and people watching!), Carnavalet Museum (beautiful garden for lunch) and La Tour outside of Paris in Versailles
Follow Amy on Substack at: https://amyboyle.substack.com/