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.
Erika Mathews has long carried a particular affection for Disney stories, one that began when she was four years old. That early connection shaped how she approached an unused room in her home, turning it into a space that reflects the same sense of wonder she first encountered in those classic tales. The project grew
Big Sur, California – The Timber fire has once again reminded residents and business owners along this stretch of the California coast how deeply they value the place they call home. For those whose livelihoods depend on welcoming visitors to its cliffs, redwoods, and shoreline, each challenge becomes another chapter in a long story of
Panama offers travelers far more than its world-famous waterway. The country’s blend of Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, highland forests, and living Indigenous cultures creates a destination that rewards slow, respectful exploration. Many visitors arrive expecting only the canal yet leave with a deeper appreciation for a nation that remains one of Central America’s best-kept secrets.
US Bank has added airline and hotel transfer partners to the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite card for the first time. The move fulfills a long-standing promise after the card’s benefits were adjusted in recent years. Cardholders who retained the product now gain new options for converting points into flights and stays. The New Partners and
On August 12, 2026, the only total solar eclipse of the year moved across the Northern Hemisphere. Its narrow path of totality brought a sudden, striking twilight to select stretches of Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain. Observers who positioned themselves along that corridor experienced a shared moment of quiet awe as daylight gave way to
Spain – On a clear Wednesday evening, millions of travelers and locals converged on towns and cities across the northern and central regions to witness the country’s first total solar eclipse in more than a century. The event transformed ordinary summer days into something far more memorable, as people sought out clear skies and open
Travelers and residents across the northern reaches of the United States have a quiet window today to pause and watch the moon pass in front of the sun. The partial solar eclipse unfolds on August 12, 2026, offering a gentle reminder of how celestial rhythms intersect with everyday journeys. In Alaska the coverage reaches its
Hong Kong – Cathay Pacific has welcomed travelers back to its renovated The Wing, First lounge at the city’s international airport. The space reopened on April 22 following an eleven-month project that focused on refinement rather than reinvention. Guests now encounter a brighter, more practical environment designed to support both quick visits and longer layovers.
American Express Travel is marking its 35th anniversary by welcoming more than 350 new properties into Fine Hotels + Resorts and The Hotel Collection. The move broadens the range of elevated stays available to eligible cardmembers who book through Amex Travel. With the additions, the combined programs now encompass more than 3,400 hotels and resorts
Chicago continues to draw visitors eager to explore its evolving cultural landscape. The Obama Presidential Center Museum stands among the city’s newest landmarks, and fresh ticket batches are expanding access for those planning ahead. This release covers specific windows in late 2026 and early 2027, giving travelers clearer options for scheduling a meaningful stop during
Late August often brings heightened attention to the Atlantic basin, where seasonal patterns can influence everything from flight schedules to beachside itineraries along the Gulf and Southeast coasts. With the National Hurricane Center actively watching several disturbances, one system in particular is edging closer to tropical depression status. Travelers with upcoming plans in these regions
Spain stands ready for a fleeting moment of daytime darkness as the moon passes directly between Earth and the sun. The total solar eclipse arrives on Wednesday, offering some of the clearest views available anywhere in mainland Europe. Millions across northern and central regions will witness the alignment, while authorities balance the excitement with careful