The Quest Express
Travel, Culture & Untold Stories
One of the best travel podcasts featuring innovators, artisans, and bold entrepreneurs making waves in the most culturally rich cities around the world. These are the real stories of visionaries shaping culture, business, and art from the inside out.
Carrie Anne
Host of TQE Podcast
Travel Incubators
Pop-up Communities
Learn More About TQE
MIAMI: From grandma's Cuban cooking to almost being eaten in a jungle in Guatemala, Le Cordon Bleu-trained, Chef Gustavo Montes is always moving, learning and innovating. No boxes here (unless it's a Bento box), later this summer you can eat his food at the Gale Hotel. Follow him on IG to stay connected! IG: @someguycooking
ABOUT CHEF GUSTAVO MONTES: Chef Gustavo Montes is a Le Cordon Bleu-trained culinary leader with over two decades of experience in high-performance kitchens and hospitality groups. Recognized for his innovative approach and deep commitment to culinary excellence, he has helmed award-winning restaurants, collaborated with Michelin-starred talent, and led successful openings across Miami. As Owner of GM Culinary, Montes continues to push creative boundaries while mentoring the next generation of chefs. Follow The Gale Hotel for updates on Yamashiro's opening Summer 2025.
Summer 2025 News || Learn more about our Salon Events Tour.
Newest Episode:
S2, Ep. 123: Chef Gustavo Montes: The Global Plate: Inside Chef Gustavo’s Culinary Playground | LISTEN HERE
The Quest Express Episode Player
With regular listeners from all over the world,
The Quest Express audience is expanding every week.
891
Cities
87
Countries
123
Episodes
Fifth stop: Aspen, Colorado
Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, Aspen, Colorado, unveils itself as a haven where natural splendor and cultural richness intertwine. This iconic town, known for its breathtaking landscapes and vibrant community, invites visitors to experience a unique blend of rustic charm and sophisticated allure. Aspen's soaring peaks and lush valleys offer a playground for outdoor enthusiasts, while its historic downtown, adorned with Victorian-era buildings, pulsates with the rhythm of world-class dining, shopping, and arts.
In every season, Aspen radiates a distinct magic. Winter transforms it into a snow-covered wonderland, renowned for its premier skiing and snowboarding slopes. As the snow melts, summer reveals a paradise for hikers, bikers, and festival-goers, with verdant trails and sparkling rivers that beckon adventure. Aspen’s dedication to preserving its natural beauty and fostering a tight-knit community spirit is palpable, making it not just a destination but a lifestyle.
"Here in Aspen, it's all about living in the moment and appreciating the beauty around us." - Goldie Hawn
"I lived in Aspen for many years, and it's a special place where you can find peace and inspiration." - John Denver
"In Aspen, there's a sense of community and a connection to nature that you can't find anywhere else." - Hunter S. Thompson
Fourth stop: Jerusalem, Israel
העיר הנצחית | The Eternal City
Jerusalem, a timeless beacon nestled in the heart of the Land of Israel, embodies the convergence of faith, history, and resilience. As the cradle of the Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—Jerusalem stands as a sacred nexus, where the divine presence is palpable in every stone, every prayer, and every shared moment of reverence.
This ancient city, with its storied past and enduring spirit, bears witness to the ebb and flow of civilizations, yet remains steadfast in its resolve to endure. Through conquests and conflicts, Jerusalem has risen time and again, a testament to the indomitable resilience of its inhabitants and the unwavering faith of its pilgrims, guided by the hand of the Creator.
Wander through the narrow alleyways of the Old City, where the echoes of prophets mingle with the aromas of incense and spices. Each step unveils layers of history, each wall whispers tales of triumph and tribulation, weaving a tapestry of human experience that transcends time itself.
"Jerusalem is a festival and a lamentation. Its song is a sigh across the ages, a delicate, robust, mournful psalm at the great junction of spiritual cultures." - David K. Shipler
"Cities are built of bricks and stones, but Jerusalem is built of dreams and prayers." - Yitzhak Rabin
"In the heart of Jerusalem beats the pulse of the divine, where the resilience of the human spirit finds solace in the embrace of the eternal." - Elie Wiesel
Third stop: Edinburgh, Scotland
Auld Reekie
A city draped in the ethereal mists of its past, beckons explorers into a realm where time is but a whisper among ancient stone walls. The haunting silhouette of Edinburgh Castle atop Castle Rock stands as a sentinel to centuries, echoing with the whispers of kings and queens who once tread its corridors. Descend the cobblestone streets of the Royal Mile, where the air is alive with the harmonious hum of bagpipes, weaving a melody that transcends generations.
As twilight descends, the city reveals itself anew, adorned in the soft luminescence of streetlights. Edinburgh becomes a dreamscape where the past and present coalesce, where the ancient and modern share a timeless dance.
"The most beautiful of all the capitals of Europe." - Sir John Betjeman
"Edinburgh is a city of shifting light, of changing skies, of sudden vistas. A city so beautiful it breaks the heart again and again." - Alexander McCall Smith
Second stop: New Orleans, Louisiana
The Captivating Crescent City
Distinct in myriad dimensions—culturally, gastronomically, and historically—New Orleans bewitches and dazzles. The city's heartbeat syncopates with the jazz notes drifting from the French Quarter, where history veils itself in the patina of wrought-iron balconies and the rainbow hues of Creole cottages. Navigating its streets feels like dancing to the syncopated rhythm of a second-line parade, where the scent of gumbo wafts through the air, and the spirit of Mardi Gras is a year-round celebration.
"New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin." - Mark Twain
In the words of Louis Armstrong, the city's beloved son, "There are a lot of places I like, but I like New Orleans better."
First stop: Venice
Off to Venice, Italy. The most serene & sublime city of magic.
Beautiful Serenissima.
Unique in almost every way: environmentally, architecturally, and historically, Venice enchants and enthralls. She is resilient, enchanting & mysterious. She is the home of many miracles her inhabitants perform out of necessity. She floats on a lagoon carrying dreams and art, bridges and food, churches and museums, memories of conflict and peace.
Friedrich Nietzsche said about the city; “When I seek another word for ‘music’, I never find any other word than ‘Venice.”
Every City Has a Personality
Most cities are living breathing organisms with electricity, a personality, and a story.
The culture, values, & traditions of a city evolve throughout its history. Seemingly inconsequential events can shape a city's zeitgeist & traditions forever. How they do business, how they welcome visitors, or what they create.
The truth is, it's the people who write a city's story. And that's what this podcast is all about: listening to the stories of citizens on their own quest to express themselves in the city that supports them.
In this podcast, we will get to know the cities each guest calls home, listen to their story, and hopefully provide some inspiration to travel and begin your own quest.
Board The Quest Express with me as we journey across the world together.
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