PBS Travel Host: ‘It’s About The People You Meet’

There’s more to traveling than bucket-list destinations.

“It’s about the people you meet along the way,” says Darley Newman, the host, creator and producer of “Travels with Darley,” who has traveled worldwide during the past 15 years filming various PBS TV and streaming series. “Many locations and people have left a profound impact on me.”

“Travels with Darley” has brought Newman to destinations as diverse as South Korea, the French Riviera, Wales and Martinique. She has completed 11 “Travel with Darley” seasons and is now filming episodes for season 12, which will appear on PBS and stream in January.

Newman was the host and producer of “Equitrekking,” an Emmy award-winning equestrian-themed travel show on public television. She has another business, Darley Vacations, which helps vacationers create their travel itineraries.

Vacationers looking for a unique trip may want to follow the travel recommendations of Newman, who was born in Washington, D.C., raised in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and now lives in New York City.

Below are six places, followed by her comments about each, “that have shaped and changed my perception of the world,” she says. They are places “where travelers can meet inspiring individuals and immerse themselves in nature, mindful eating, spirituality, iconic history, culture and sustainable communities.”

Baekyangsa Temple, South Korea

“Many people are unaware that you can stay in centuries-old temples in South Korea and immerse yourself in Buddhist life through tea ceremonies, meditation and cooking classes. Last year, after indulging in Korean BBQ for a week, I sought spiritual renewal at Baekyangsa Temple in the mountains, renowned thanks to Jeong Kwan from Netflix’s “Chef’s Table.” Jeong Kwan’s vegan cooking classes go beyond recipes, teaching sustainable, mindful eating with ingredients grown on-site. Before meeting her, I didn’t realize how enriching savoring simple mushrooms and mindful eating could be.”

Civil Rights Trail, Alabama

“We filmed along the Civil Rights Trail, a route through Selma, Montgomery, Birmingham and beyond in Alabama. Many people you can meet on this journey lived through the Civil Rights Movement and now share their stories as tour guides. Joanne Bland, a guide in Selma who participated in the Selma-to-Montgomery March, moved me to tears recounting her experiences at the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Her resilience and dedication to preserving history make this a once-in-a-lifetime trip.”

Ghost Ranch, New Mexico

“About an hour northwest of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Ghost Ranch, with its stunning Southwestern landscapes, inspired artist Georgia O’Keeffe. Travelers can hike, go horseback riding and stay at Ghost Ranch, experiencing the same vistas O’Keeffe painted. Filming for “Travels with Darley,” we met David Manzanares, a cowboy and childhood friend of O’Keeffe. His personal stories and insights into O’Keeffe, who even made him smoothies as a child, offer a unique window into art, nature and the influential women who reshape our view of the world.”

Camden Battlefield, South Carolina

“You can tread on hallowed ground at Camden Battlefield in South Carolina, a Revolutionary War site where recent archaeological digs have uncovered more about the soldiers buried there. I filmed on location with military historian and soldier Rick Wise, who brought the battlefield’s history to life. His reflections on walking this historic site were deeply moving, especially for me, given my family’s military background, including my father, a captain in the U.S. Army.”

Montreal, Quebec

“You can stay in the same suite where John Lennon and Yoko Ono stayed during their honeymoon in 1969 and wrote “Give Peace a Chance” while protesting for peace at Montreal’s Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth Hotel. The suite is a mini-museum with memorabilia from the couple’s time there. Being a Beatles fan, as well as a lover of history, I was in awe in the same space where this culturally iconic song was recorded. Keep in mind that, if you want to sleep here, it will set you back $4,000 a night!”

Route 66, Illinois

“If you like shopping small, experiencing a piece of Americana and getting a sense of generational preservation and sustainability, take a drive down old Route 66 in Illinois. This road trip from Chicago to St. Louis has well-preserved stops. Make sure to visit Doc’s Just Off 66 for a flight of homemade ice cream at this classic soda fountain, the Ariston Café for melt in your mouth prime rib and White Fence Farm for Laura Hastert’s flash fried chicken. It’s a true taste of history, supporting small businesses along The Mother Road!”