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 Douglas County, Colorado, residents recently discovered a home in disarray and initially assumed the damage pointed to human intruders. Further investigation revealed the culprits were bear cubs that had found their way inside. The episode offers a timely illustration of how wildlife and people share space in the state’s mountain communities, particularly for visitors
International travel often brings the familiar challenge of staying connected without incurring steep roaming charges from a home carrier. For holders of certain Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cards, a partnership between Visa and GigSky provides a practical solution in the form of complimentary eSIM data. This benefit covers more than 175 destinations and allows
Southwest Airlines has long stood apart from other major U.S. carriers by offering no dedicated airport lounges. That distinction may soon change. During the airline’s most recent earnings call, Chief Executive Officer Bob Jordan stated that work on lounges is already underway, describing the effort as part of a broader effort to meet evolving customer
Travel often brings small decisions that carry larger consequences than expected. One family learned this when a routine check-in choice affected their ability to recover costs after luggage damage. Their experience highlights how details like ticket payment methods and bag assignments can shape outcomes under credit card protections. The Family’s Travel Experience A couple traveled
For frequent travelers who log multiple flights and hotel stays each year, premium credit cards often surface as tools that can shape the rhythm of a trip. The American Express Platinum Card carries an $895 annual fee, a figure that invites close scrutiny of whether its collection of lounge access, statement credits, and elite status
Travelers who have been weighing the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card now face a firm cutoff. The card’s limited-time welcome offer of 100,000 bonus points after $5,000 in purchases within the first three months closes at 9 a.m. ET on July 30. With the annual fee at $95, the bonus represents a notable opportunity for those
Travelers who hold TSA PreCheck status often encounter an extra administrative step before they can use the Touchless ID lanes that have appeared at dozens of U.S. airports. American Airlines is removing part of that friction by allowing passengers to complete the required consent during the online check-in process. The change takes effect in mid-August
Southwest Airlines is preparing to launch an unusual overnight service that departs Las Vegas in the small hours and reaches Honolulu early the same morning. The route begins in March as part of a larger expansion that adds flights to several cities. Travelers who value efficient use of time zones may find the schedule particularly
Guanajuato sits in the central highlands of Mexico, its buildings stacked along steep hillsides in layers of soft pink, warm terracotta, and muted yellow. Wrought-iron balconies overlook narrow lanes where bougainvillea spills across facades, and small plazas open unexpectedly between the rows of homes. The result is a city that feels both intimate and alive,
Barclays recently introduced the Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier card, a premium option in the Wyndham lineup that carries a $395 annual fee. The move brings a fresh set of benefits to a brand that many travelers encounter only occasionally, yet the card’s design emphasizes flexibility rather than strict loyalty requirements. This approach opens practical possibilities
Travelers evaluating carry-on options often seek backpacks that balance capacity, durability, and ease of use across varied itineraries. The Matador Globerider 35L has emerged as a subject of interest in independent reviews, with one recent hands-on assessment from Indie Traveller offering direct observations from real-world use. Such evaluations help clarify whether a particular model addresses
Travelers often face a familiar challenge when preparing for trips that shift between quick city breaks and longer explorations. Finding a single carry-on that adapts without compromise remains rare. The 2026 edition of the Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro addresses this need through refined construction and thoughtful details that support varied itineraries. Refined Balance in Design
