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
Dewees Island, SC: A Car-Free Coastal Escape Near Charleston (Local Life & Travel Tips with Alicia Reilly)
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What if you could live somewhere with no cars, no stores, and nothing but nature all around you?
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Alicia Riley, who lives full-time on Dewees Island, a tiny, car-free barrier island just 20 minutes from Charleston, South Carolina… and it might just be one of the most magical places in the U.S.
We talk about what it’s really like to live there, from taking a 15-minute ferry to get home to unloading groceries into wheelbarrows and getting around by golf cart.
But what makes this place unforgettable isn’t just the logistics… it’s the lifestyle.
Alicia shares what it feels like to raise kids in a completely unplugged environment, where afternoons are spent fishing, walking the beach, or spotting dolphins from the ferry. We also get into the island’s deep connection to nature, from bioluminescent water at night to one of the most incredible things I’ve ever heard…
From May to August, Alicia is part of a team that tracks and protects loggerhead turtle nests, waking up before sunrise to walk the beach, find nests, and (if they’re lucky) watch baby turtles make their way to the ocean.
We also talk about the strong sense of community on the island, think weekly happy hours, golf cart parades, and neighbors who truly look out for each other.
And if you’re wondering… yes, you can visit. (But be warned: once you get there, you may never want to leave.)
If you’re craving a slower, more connected way of living or just want to hear about one of the most unique places in the U.S., this episode will stay with you.
👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.
Chapters
00:00 Welcome to Dewey's Island
02:52 Living with Hurricanes
06:02 The History of Dewey's Island
08:57 Ferry Tales: Getting to Dewey's Island
11:59 Life on the Island: Community and Nature
15:07 The Joy of Swimming and Water Activities
17:55 Turtle Conservation Efforts
20:54 The Importance of Nature in Childhood
25:19 Turtle Nesting and Conservation Efforts
32:10 Life on Dewey's Island: Community and Nature
41:19 Seasons and Local Culture
49:11 The Magic of Island Life