TRAVEL CHANNEL SAYS WEEK OF DECEMBER 25 IS THE PERFECT TIME FOR A 'CHILL-CATION'

Network's Top Stars Will Host Ice-Themed Specials in Prime

NEW YORK (October 26, 2016) - Bundle up because Travel Channel is taking viewers on an adventurous "Chill-cation" to the world's coolest locations for fun, food, thrills and icy escapades. From December 25 to December 31 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT, Travel Channel's favorite experts and explorers - Josh Gates, Jack Maxwell, Anthony Melchiorri, Don Wildman, Andrew Zimmern and Zak Bagans - will lead ultimate chilly escapes with ice-themed episodes of the network's most popular series.

With the Christmas evening premiere of "Alaska - Water and Ice," "Chill-cation" kicks off in an adrenaline junkie's extreme waterpark. On subsequent nights, travel fans can journey to frigid far-flung places. For example, adventurer Josh Gates leads a special "Expedition Unknown" to the Arctic's frozen tundra on the hunt for the woolly mammoth. Culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern reveals "Bizarre Frozen Foods" from some of the most inhospitable places on earth, while "Booze Traveler" Jack Maxwell traverses the Trans-Siberian Railroad searching for the greatest cocktail ever created. For those who prefer icy opulence, hotel expert Anthony Melchiorri checks into the most luxurious ice hotels in "Ice Hotels... Not Impossible." And, on December 29 and 30, history explorer Don Wildman delves deeper into the epic sinking of the Titanic in frigid waters, among other fascinating tales, on "Mysteries at the Museum."

"The week between Christmas and New Year's Day is a huge travel time for many Americans," said Courtney White, senior vice president, programming, Travel Channel. "It's also the ideal time for what we call a 'chill-cation' - when families gather to relax and watch TV. It's a great few days for us to showcase Travel Channel's top-performing series."

Here's more about the specials that Travel Channel has chilling on ice:

"ALASKA - WATER AND ICE"

In Alaska, where the average temperature is 26 degrees, water play is an adrenaline-fueled ice bath! Don't look for manmade waterslides here, Alaskan waterparks come naturally. We'll dive in as Alaska's intrepid fun-seekers turn this state's aquatic landscape into a playground for everything from iceberg wakeboarding and glacier surfing to ice diving.

Airdate: Sunday, December 25 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

"ICE HOTELS... NOT IMPOSSIBLE"

Hotel expert Anthony Melchiorri is on a quest to explore the most amazing ice hotels in the world. From the fjords of Finland to Quebec City, Melchiorri reveals the inner workings of massive and incredible ice sculptures that operate as fully functional hotels.

Airdate: Monday, December 26 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

"BOOZE TRAVELER: ON THE ROCKS"

After hearing a Russian man's story about the greatest drink ever, global nomad Jack Maxwell travels across Siberia on a hunt for this mysterious cocktail. Maxwell hops off the Trans-Siberian Railroad with his only clues: it's made from Russia's national spirit, cooled by special ice, comes from a holy place and is blessed by a shaman.

Airdate: Monday, December 26 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT

"BIZARRE FROZEN FOODS"

Culinary explorer Andrew Zimmern travels to some the coldest, most inhospitable places on earth in search of the most bizarre foods eaten by those who live below freezing.

Airdate: Tuesday, December 27 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

"EXPEDITION UNKNOWN: WOOLLY MAMMOTH"

The woolly mammoth is the most iconic creature of the Ice Age, dominating regions of earth for millions of years. The last ones died just 4,000 years ago - and no one knows why. Now, Josh Gates is joining a team of international scientists on a global expedition spanning Siberia, the North Pole and a laboratory in South Korea. Their goal: to find enough DNA to clone a woolly mammoth and bring the beasts back to walk the earth.

Airdate: Wednesday, December 28 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

"MYSTERIES AT THE MUSEUM: THE TITANIC"

History explorer Don Wildman dives into the Atlantic and explores ship artifacts to uncover the key elements that sunk the Titanic.

Airdate: Thursday, December 29 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

"MYSTERIES AT THE MUSEUM"

Host Don Wildman examines the icy stories behind an eccentric expedition to the North Pole, a frozen feat of nautical engineering and the cosmic conundrum surrounding an incredible icicle.

Airdate: Friday, December 30 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

"GHOST ADVENTURES: COLD CASE"

San Haven Sanatorium offered care for countless North Dakotans since 1912, but for thousands, this place was the last stop. There are entities lurking here one cannot even imagine and the Ghost Adventures crew have come to investigate.

Airdate: Saturday, December 31 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT

ABOUT TRAVEL CHANNEL

For virtual and active travelers who want to go on a thrilling quest; taste other cultures; enjoy the mystery of the unexplored; get a dose of epic adventure or a splash of wacky fun; there is no better daily escape than Travel Channel. Reaching more than 89 million U.S. cable homes, Travel Channel is the world's leading travel media brand. Fans also can visit Travel Channel for more information or interact with other fans through Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram. Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Travel Channel is owned by Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc., which also owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country.