Uncovering stories: 'Travels with Darley' returns to New Mexico with a visit to the Santa Fe Indian Market

Darley Newman is constantly on the go.

The travel enthusiast and host continues to bring the stories to a wide audience with the series, “Travels with Darley.”

“We’re on our 12th season,” Newman said. “I never thought I would say that.”

Newman put together 13 half-hour episodes focusing on sustainable travels.

Uncovering stories: 'Travels with Darley' returns to New Mexico with a visit to the Santa Fe Indian Market

She shares places, people and stories, helping viewers to discover hidden gems.

Newman dives into food, culture, history, art and a continuation of the “Revolutionary Road Trip” themed episodes.

Along the way, she enlists the help of local experts, while bringing her expert travel tips for the next adventure.

“This season emphasizes sustainability, reflecting travelers’ growing commitment to making environmentally conscious choices in their destination and activity selections,” Newman said. “The episodes feature ecological stewardship, the preservation of natural habitats and architecture, and the intergenerational sharing of history, art, culture and cuisine, all aimed at ensuring a vibrant planet for future generations of travelers to explore and enjoy.”

In the new season, Newman has two episodes focused on New Mexico. The first will feature Santa Fe Indian Market and will air at 10:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 17, on World, channel 5.4. It will air again at 2:30 p.m. Feb. 1, on New Mexico PBS, channel 5.1.

The second episode features Albuquerque to Ruidoso and will air sometime in March.

Both episodes will be available to stream on the PBS app after the broadcast.

“I’ve always loved New Mexico,” Newman said. “I’ve probably had more content from there than anywhere else in the world. It’s a place where I keep uncovering stories to be told.”

In the Santa Fe Indian Market episode, Newman takes a behind-the-scenes look at one of the biggest Native American markets in the world.

The market has been put on for 102 years in Santa Fe.

“I got to spend time with Patricia Michaels, who is a fashion designer making waves in the industry,” Newman said. “I also got to speak with artist George Rivera and the Lightning Boy Foundation hoop dancers. Each has a remarkable story.”

Newman said with the episode, she wanted to dive into Indigenous arts, culture, history and its impact in New Mexico and beyond.

She also got the opportunity to try the mole made by chef Fernando Olea at James Beard Award-winning Sazón.

“We also put the spotlight on the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture and Institute of American Indian Arts,” she said. “I also thought about what type of classes people can take while visiting Santa Fe, and we visited the classes with La Emi. Santa Fe is a magical place for people to continue to discover.”

Newman has come a long way since hosting her first TV series, “Equitrekking,” which debuted on New Mexico PBS in 2006, while she was living and working in New Mexico.

In the Albuquerque to Ruidoso episode, Newman starts in the Duke City on a road trip to Ruidoso.

She visits the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and National Hispanic Cultural Center for art and Indigenous cuisine.

She makes a stop in the historic Old Town Plaza and soars up high in a hot air balloon, before a farm-to-table dining experience at Los Poblanos Historic Inn & Organic Farm.

While in Ruidoso, she stays outdoors for adventures in the Lincoln National Forest, including a visit to the Smokey Bear Historical Park and insight into the history of the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

“Going to the Mescalero Apache reservation was great because it gave me a window into another culture,” she said. “We were happy to film there because they don’t often allow filming on their land. I didn’t expect it to be so green there. It’s a completely different ecosystem, and that’s what we wanted to highlight.”