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.
On the morning of August 9, 2024, National Park Service rangers arrived at Rock Creek Bay in Utah’s Glen Canyon National Recreation Area to find that something was simply gone. A beloved stone arch, one that millions of people had photographed, jumped from, and pointed to on maps for decades, had crumbled into the water
Most people picture island travel as a two-suitcase ordeal involving airport security and baggage fees. Most people think island getaways require expensive flights and complicated travel arrangements, but some of America’s most stunning islands are accessible by car, connected to the mainland through scenic bridges and causeways that make the journey part of the adventure.
Something has shifted in how New Yorkers plan their summer escapes. The old script – rent a share house on the South Fork, sit in traffic on Route 27, spend $30 to park near a crowded beach – is starting to feel tired. More and more city dwellers are quietly rerouting north instead, trading the
Solo travel has grown from a quiet niche into one of the most powerful forces reshaping global tourism. More people than ever are booking flights alone, trusting their instincts, and hunting for places that genuinely feel safe rather than just technically stable. One country keeps surfacing in those conversations, sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly, but always
Oʻahu may first greet you with sunlight, surf, and that impossibly blue meeting place between sky and sea, but the island asks something deeper of travellers who are willing to listen. It asks us to look beyond the postcard, beyond the beach chair, and beyond the easy beauty that first captures the eye. A meaningful
The FBI has documented a sharp increase in fraud schemes that rely on artificial intelligence to appear more convincing. Last year the agency received more than 22,000 complaints tied to these tactics, with total reported losses approaching $900 million. The development underscores how readily available AI tools are reshaping the threat landscape for everyday consumers
Paraty, Brazil, sits along the country’s southeastern coast as a preserved colonial settlement that many international visitors pass by in favor of Rio de Janeiro. The town combines cobblestone streets lined with historic buildings and direct access to the sea, creating an atmosphere that feels both lived-in and unhurried. Travelers who arrive after time in
July often brings the familiar rush of peak summer travel in the Northern Hemisphere, with long days and high temperatures drawing crowds to popular spots. Yet many travelers now seek alternatives that deliver either cooler conditions or distinctive events without the usual congestion. This season highlights fresh hotel openings alongside established draws in places that
South Carolina beachgoers faced an unexpected aerial threat when a single-engine plane reportedly lost control and descended sharply over a crowded stretch of shoreline. The pilot later stated that mechanical issues caused the sudden maneuver, turning a routine flight into a moment of alarm for those below. Witnesses described the aircraft passing low enough to
Travelers from the United States, Canada and other visa-exempt countries who have trips to the United Kingdom scheduled in the coming days are encountering unexpected hurdles. The electronic travel authorization system has been plagued by technical problems that have left some applications stalled or rejected outright. Carriers are enforcing the requirement strictly, which means an
Portland International Airport – Alaska Airlines has opened a new lounge at PDX after more than two years of construction and an investment of nearly $18 million. The facility sits one level above the departures hall and provides travelers with an elevated space that draws directly from the surrounding region. It replaces two smaller existing
A Frontier Airlines flight bound for Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport faced an unexpected disruption on Sunday when a passenger tried to open the cabin door while the aircraft was airborne. The crew responded by diverting the plane to Miami. A former professional MMA fighter from Chicago who was traveling on the flight stepped in to