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.
Miami Beach – The W South Beach has stood as a distinctive presence on Collins Avenue for more than fifteen years. Later this summer the property will close its doors to guests for an extensive renovation that will reposition it within Hilton’s luxury portfolio. When it reopens in the winter of 2027 it will operate
The Illinois State Fair has announced its 2026 Grandstand Concert Series, bringing together three distinctive acts for performances in Springfield. Wiz Khalifa, The Chicks, and Matchbox Twenty will take the stage as part of a lineup that blends contemporary sounds with established voices from recent decades. This development gives travelers a clear reason to consider
Across the vast Atlantic, a plume of fine Saharan dust has begun its long journey toward North America. This natural atmospheric event unfolds each summer, carrying mineral particles thousands of miles from the deserts of North Africa. For travelers planning coastal escapes or outdoor adventures during the height of hurricane season, the arrival brings both
A traveler recently completed the spending required to unlock a substantial companion award through the Atmos Rewards Summit Visa Infinite card. The move allowed a couple to book premium long-haul travel to Asia without exhausting an entire points balance on two tickets. This approach highlights how targeted use of a premium card can support meaningful
Planning a trip to Kyoto invites travelers to consider more than a single address. The city unfolds through distinct districts, each carrying its own rhythm, history, and daily life. Selecting a base determines whether mornings begin with temple bells, river views, or the quiet shuffle of traditional streets. Gion Preserves a Quiet, Timeless Atmosphere Gion
Maui reveals itself differently depending on the stretch of coastline or hillside where travelers choose to settle. Each region carries its own rhythm, landscape, and opportunities for connection with the island. Selecting a base becomes less about finding a single ideal spot and more about aligning daily surroundings with the kind of days one hopes
Ceri Smith and her husband Steve set out to manage an overgrown tree that had long stood outside their house. What began as a straightforward maintenance task quickly turned into an unexpected encounter with the property’s past. As Steve worked to cut the tree back, a set of brick steps and a distinctive archway appeared
Travelers who prefer the space and flexibility of vacation homes now have a clearer path to earning more rewards on those stays. The Chase Sapphire Preferred card recently added a dedicated bonus category that treats direct bookings at select rental platforms the same way many cards treat hotel stays. This adjustment reflects a broader shift
From a practical Waikīkī suite to a central beach stay and a quiet Ko Olina resort escape, these three Oʻahu hotels each shaped the trip in a different way. A hotel on Oʻahu is never just a place to sleep. It can decide whether your day begins with a shoreline walk, a short stroll to
Forecast models now indicate that the developing El Niño could reach peak strength competitive with the strongest events recorded over the past century. This outlook arrives at a moment when many travelers are already weighing options for ski trips, coastal escapes, and seasonal getaways across the United States. The information offers a useful prompt for
World of Hyatt members planning stays at recently opened hotels have access to an automatic points bonus that adds meaningful value to their trips. The promotion requires no separate registration and applies across a range of new properties in the United States and abroad. Because the offer runs only for a limited window after each
Maryland – Over the Fourth of July weekend, crews from the Maryland State Police aviation units carried out three distinct rescues across Talbot, Baltimore and Garrett counties. The incidents unfolded in markedly different settings: the tidal shallows of the Eastern Shore, the waters of Gunpowder Falls, and the wooded terrain of a western state park.