Helen Hatzis, is the Chief Exploration Office and Co-Founder of Trip Jaunt.
Helen is a recipient of the Governor-General Award, has been honoured as one of Canada's Nicest People! A true xenophile at heart, she finds joy in traveling and delights in sharing her experiences through Trip Jaunt (formerly Weekend Jaunt), an online travel community and hub she established in 2010. Her aspiration is to inspire others to explore the world as she does!
Helen is an esteemed advisory member of the North American Travel Journalists Association.
In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, a three-night October stay at Blackberry Farm in Walland, Tennessee, provides a measured immersion in the rhythms of a working farm and its kitchen. The 4,200-acre property blends guest accommodations with active agricultural operations, allowing visitors to move between trails, creeks, and dining rooms that draw directly
Alaska cruises stand apart from voyages in warmer climates because the destination centers on expansive wilderness rather than developed shorelines or urban attractions. The 49th state holds half of all U.S. national park land, drawing travelers who seek both dramatic natural scenery and encounters with frontier history. An expert who has completed more than 20
Chicago stands ready to welcome thousands of visitors this weekend as the city prepares for its signature running event. On Sunday, October 11, the 48th Bank of America Chicago Marathon will bring approximately 55,000 runners to the streets, turning an ordinary autumn day into a shared celebration of endurance and community. ([1])The gathering offers travelers
Travelers across the United States are preparing for the season’s journeys amid higher costs for flights. Airfares have increased notably this year, influenced by broader economic pressures including elevated oil prices. With Thanksgiving and the year-end holidays approaching, many families are weighing options for getting together. The source material from The Points Guy provides context
Las Vegas is extending a simple, generous invitation this fall. Between October 1 and November 13, 2026, the city will accept new, unwrapped toys in place of cash payments for eligible parking tickets. The program turns an ordinary civic obligation into an opportunity to support local families during the holiday season. Reporting from KTLA confirms
Oslo opens a path into Scandinavia and Norway, a place where measured civic institutions stand alongside deeper currents of folk myth and mossy woodsiness. These threads weave through expressionistic intensity and the raw edge of Black Metal, creating a cultural landscape that rewards slow exploration. The city’s art scene gathers these elements into a coherent
Alaska draws travelers seeking vast wilderness and dramatic landscapes that stretch from tidewater glaciers to towering mountain ranges. Princess Cruises operates multiple ships in the region during the 2026 season, offering sailings that pair with land-based extensions known as cruisetours. These itineraries allow visitors to move from coastal waters into the heart of several national
Travelers seeking a relaxed way to experience the Hudson Valley’s changing colors this month can look forward to additional weekend options on the Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line. The seasonal adjustment arrives just as autumn foliage draws visitors to the region’s riverfront towns and scenic overlooks. Riders on other lines will notice some schedule adjustments, making
Cagnes-sur-Mer sits along the French Riviera, a short drive from Nice, where the light and landscape once drew Pierre-Auguste Renoir in his final years. The small museum that now occupies his last home has long offered visitors a direct connection to the Impressionist master. News that two of his paintings, taken in a September break-in,
Margaret Hamilton passed away at the age of 90, leaving behind a profound mark on space exploration through her leadership of the team that developed the onboard flight software for NASA’s Apollo program. Her work supported the precise operations that carried astronauts to the lunar surface and back, shaping one of the most ambitious engineering
Massachusetts natives with deep ties to France and Italy are discovering that a second home an ocean away can deepen their sense of belonging rather than complicate it. They approach the distance with patience and intention, turning logistical hurdles into opportunities for slower, more rooted travel. The result is a rhythm of life that honors
Solo travel rewards those who prepare thoughtfully, turning potential uncertainty into a steady sense of freedom. Experienced travelers know that small, consistent habits reduce distractions and let the journey unfold more fully. Guidance from The Points Guy staff, drawn from their own repeated trips, shows how these practices support both security and enjoyment. ([1]) Choosing
