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.
Athens – The transformation of a beloved 1960s modernist hotel into the Conrad Athens The Ilisian marks a notable chapter in the city’s hospitality landscape. Hilton completed the full reimagining of the former Hilton Athens property, which officially opened in April 2026 after careful attention to its architectural heritage and cultural significance. ([1])The result blends
Monteverde, Costa Rica – High in the mountains, a dense green canopy catches the clouds that drift in daily from the Pacific and Caribbean. The result is a rare high-elevation ecosystem where moisture hangs in the air and clings to every leaf, branch, and vine. Temperatures stay noticeably cooler than the lowland tropics, creating a
The Renoir Museum in Cagnes-sur-Mer recently experienced the loss of four paintings by Pierre-Auguste Renoir, works collectively valued in the millions of euros. One piece was dropped during the thieves’ escape and later recovered nearby. The incident, which occurred early on a Tuesday morning, has drawn attention to this modest institution and the broader cultural
Hawaii finds itself under the influence of Hurricane Lowell as the Category 2 storm moves just west of the islands. The National Hurricane Center reports maximum sustained winds of 110 mph, along with the potential for heavy rainfall, strong winds, and elevated surf. Power outages have already affected tens of thousands of homes and businesses
Travelers planning stays in Japan’s two largest cities now have a fresh choice with the opening of Caption by Hyatt properties in Tokyo and Osaka. These hotels position themselves as community-oriented options that balance central locations with more approachable pricing. The brand’s approach reflects a deliberate effort to create spaces that feel connected to their
Point Reyes, California – A dramatic headland on the Pacific coast holds one of the region’s most enduring maritime landmarks, and the National Park Service is inviting a committed individual to help care for it through the quieter months ahead. The seasonal volunteer position at the Point Reyes Lighthouse offers on-site housing in exchange for
Many travelers accumulate Chase Ultimate Rewards points through everyday spending and card bonuses, yet the greatest returns often come when those points move beyond the portal into airline and hotel loyalty programs. This approach can open access to premium cabins and distinctive properties that cash redemptions rarely reach at the same scale. The strategy rewards
Fuel prices across the United States reached new highs heading into the Labor Day weekend, with the national average for regular gasoline at $4.14 per gallon. This figure sits nearly a dollar above the same period last year and exceeds the previous Labor Day record of $3.82 set in 2012. Many drivers planning final summer
Miami – The completion of Cipriani Residences Miami brings a new level of exclusivity to the city’s Brickell neighborhood. The project tops out a skyscraper recognized as the tallest south of Manhattan, with two penthouses priced at $53 million each. These residences come paired with access to a global network of perks through the Cipriani
Nashville, Tennessee – A single day at Nashville Zoo can reveal far more than standard animal enclosures. Visitors who arrive early often encounter species and behaviors that stand out even among the many well-known American zoos. One such surprise is Roza, a melanistic Amur leopard whose nearly black coat still shows faint spots under the
The decision by Oxford University’s Pitt Rivers Museum to repatriate the remains of 39 individuals from India’s Naga community marks a concrete step in addressing collections acquired during the colonial era. For the Naga people, these returns restore not only physical remains but also a sense of memory and continuity that has been absent for
Kach Medina Umandap left a quality-assurance role in Kuwait in 2013 and went on to visit every one of the 195 United Nations member and observer states, all on a Philippine passport. She completed that journey in January 2025 and now prepares to launch her first book with Penguin Random House Southeast Asia. The path
