Travel Channel's edge on the essential

The Travel Channel has announced the premiere of Essential - a new series showcasing destinations with a different angle: to capture the essence of a destination guided by the people who live there.

Programme reporters, including Mike McClean (The Big Breakfast, Richard and Judy- Channel 4), Nichola Dixon (Children in Need, Inside Out- BBC), Sarah Cawood (National Lottery Draw- BBC, This Morning- ITV), and Danann Breathnach (Fame Academy- BBC, Select- MTV), visit some of the world's most fascinating places, meeting locals and personalities who can comment on what makes their home so special and provide an insight into local cultures and lifestyles.

The aim of the series is to unearth the essence of a destination - its attractions, culture, history, politics, arts and the secret of its fascination. With the approach that the destinations are more than just a chance to unwind, the reporters passionately share the places and experiences that make travels matter, explain how to bypass the pitfalls, avoid the obvious and make sure that not one moment of a holiday is a wasted opportunity.

Destinations of the first series comprise Stockholm, Quebec, Utah, Munich, Las Vegas, Prague, Mauritius and the Nile in Egypt.

The Essential…

UK Premiere: Thursday 8th January at 9pm (GMT)