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
Moving to Zürich: What It’s Really Like to Live in Switzerland (Expat Life, Motherhood & Swiss Culture with Kassie Borreson)
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What does it really take to move your life to Switzerland… and start a family there?
In this episode, I sit down with my friend Kassie Borreson, who moved from San Francisco to Zurich with her husband, brought along their two cats (yes, really), and had her first baby shortly after arriving.
We talk about what inspired the move, from a desire to live abroad again to the opportunity through her husband’s job (a key piece when it comes to visas and making it all possible).
Then we get into the real stuff:
- Shipping your life overseas (and what to bring vs. leave behind)
- Finding housing in a competitive market
- Starting out in temporary housing while figuring it all out
- Navigating life in a new country while pregnant
Kassie also shares what it was like to have a baby in Switzerland, and some of the surprising differences, including incredible postpartum care (think: midwives visiting your home multiple times after birth… something we all wish existed everywhere).
We also talk about what daily life in Zurich is really like:
- A level of cleanliness and efficiency that feels almost unreal
- Public transportation that actually works
- A culture that values safety, independence (kids walk to school alone), and community
And then there’s the cultural side, from navigating Swiss German (very different from standard German) to understanding the more reserved social norms and what it takes to build real community over time.
Kassie shares honestly about the highs and lows of expat life, including the loneliness that can come in the early years, and why patience, flexibility, and putting yourself out there are key to making it feel like home.
If you’ve ever dreamed about moving abroad, or are curious what life in Switzerland is really like, this episode is equal parts practical advice and real talk.
👉 For more travel inspiration, tips, and behind-the-scenes stories, subscribe to my Substack at The Gomes Guide.