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
Traveling to Antarctica: What It’s Really Like (Penguins, Drake Passage & Expedition Tips)
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Antarctica. It’s one of those trips that feels almost unreal… until you’re there.
In this episode, I sit down with seasoned traveler Leigh Schuberth to talk about what it’s actually like to visit the most remote place on earth, from crossing the infamous Drake Passage to stepping foot on the continent itself.
We get into the full experience: the long journey to get there, what it’s like being on an expedition ship (not your typical cruise), and the moment you first see the ice… and realize just how vast and untouched it really is.
Leigh shares incredible wildlife encounters, from thousands of penguins (yes, you hear and smell them before you see them) to whales swimming just feet away and seals lounging on icebergs. We also talk about the surprisingly strict sustainability rules that protect this fragile environment and what you need to know before you go.
And then there’s the Drake Passage… including what happens when rough seas turn a two-day crossing into something much longer.
We also cover practical tips like how long to go, what to pack, and why adding time in places like Buenos Aires or Patagonia makes the trip even more worthwhile.
If Antarctica is on your bucket list, this episode will give you a real, honest look at what to expect and why it’s absolutely worth it.
👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.