BERLIN– Area residents are invited to tune in to Maryland Public Television this month to catch sight of several local landmarks on a new travel program.
Much of the Eastern Shore, including Berlin, Assateague and Ocean City, will be featured on the second episode of the brand new public television program “Travels with Darley.” The series kicks off this weekend.
“It’s a travel show that because we film with locals we’re showcasing many of the things people may not know about,” host Darley Newman said. “Through the eyes of locals is often the best way to get a sense of a place.”
The series, which starts Feb. 7 on MPT, will showcase Newman’s visits to a variety of destinations, including Belgium, the Guadeloupe Islands, Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina, Maryland and Michigan. Worcester County destinations will be featured on the Feb. 14 episode which airs at 9 a.m.
Darley brings along the family to explore Assateague National Park on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, taking a guided walk with National Park Service guide Nick Clemons. Submitted Photos
So just how did the Eastern Shore make the cut?
Newman, a Bethesda resident, says her father once operated a bed and breakfast in Rock Hall so she’s familiar with all the area has to offer.
“It got picked because we hadn’t done it yet and because I think it’s a great place to visit,” she said.
The array of activities open to visitors on the Eastern Shore also made it an interesting destination.
“It was really diverse,” Newman said. “We covered city, county, rural, beach.”
Because the area is family friendly, Newman chose this episode to travel with a friend and her two young children. Not surprisingly, the children’s favorite stop was the Ocean City Boardwalk, where they visited Dolle’s Candies and rode the Carousel at Trimper’s Amusement Park. Of course they also enjoyed kayaking on Ayers Creek, eating ice cream at Chesapeake Bay Farms and blowing glass in Berlin.
“We filmed five or six days,” she said. “We do a lot in that amount of time.”
Newman said she personally enjoyed the time she spent on Assateague most.
Greg Barna films Darley Newman, Ellen Schmidt with Vivian Schmidt and Chad Davis at Chesapeake Bay Farms, a dairy farm that makes ice cream from cow to cone on Route 50. Submitted Photo
“It’s so special,” she said. “I love places that are protected and natural. On the busy East Coast those places are hard to find.”
Newman said she was also drawn to Berlin, which proved to be more interesting than the sleepy small town she was expecting.
“It had such a nice warm feel and there was a lot to do which surprised me,” she said.
Ivy Wells, Berlin’s director of economic development, said for Newman’s visit, which took place last May, she came up with a list of the town’s dining options, shops and art galleries. From there, Newman chose where to stop.
Wells says the town’s appearance on the show will give those who have never visited an idea of Berlin’s unique attractions.
“This brings Berlin into the national spotlight and gives a glimpse into why we were voted America’s Coolest Small Town.”