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.
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – A newly renovated property at the foot of Snow King Mountain now gives travelers a practical way to settle into one of the West’s most iconic mountain towns. Trailborn Jackson Hole, which reopened after a full transformation and joined Marriott’s Outdoor Collection, combines the area’s longstanding western character with straightforward access
Travelers with routes through the western United States and Canada are adjusting itineraries this season as more than 40 large wildfires burn across the region. Severe drought has intensified conditions, while western Canada contends with over 100 additional blazes. The situation affects national parks, scenic drives, and small communities that rely on visitors, yet many
Mount Bromo, Indonesia – Indonesian authorities have closed Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park after a wildfire burned through roughly 743 hectares of grassland, vegetation, and protected edelweiss flowers in the Penanjakan area. The decision affects one of the country’s most visited natural landmarks, known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and sunrise viewpoints that draw travelers
Perched on a private mountaintop in Whitwell, Tennessee, Bolt Farm Treehouse creates a rare setting where adults can step away from daily routines and settle into quiet, nature-focused time. The resort welcomes guests 21 and older only, offering a collection of treehouses, mirror cabins, and geodesic domes that sit amid sweeping views of the Sequatchie
Tampa, Fla. – The National Hurricane Center is keeping a close watch on three separate areas of disturbed weather across the Atlantic basin. One system, a tropical wave accompanied by showers and thunderstorms, sits roughly midway between the coast of West Africa and the Lesser Antilles. Forecasters note that gradual development remains possible through the
Australia rewards visitors who approach it with patience and preparation. Its sheer geographic reach often catches first-time travelers off guard, turning what seems like a straightforward itinerary into a more deliberate journey across time and distance. Understanding this reality helps shape more rewarding and responsible trips. Distances That Demand Planning Travelers frequently underestimate how far
A DoorDash report tracking the average cost of a cheeseburger, fries and a drink across U.S. cities finds that only four locations still deliver the meal for less than $15 on average. The data, drawn from the company’s second-quarter 2026 State of Local Commerce update, illustrates how local pricing can vary sharply even for a
New England’s autumn color arrives like a quiet tide, beginning at the northern edges and moving steadily southward as cooler nights settle in. Travelers who time their journeys with this natural progression often find the most rewarding displays, whether they start in the high peaks or linger in the rolling hills farther south. Understanding the
Wheaton, Illinois – Families across the Chicago area now have a rare chance to experience a verified Guinness World Records attraction without leaving the state. Big Bounce America has brought its massive inflatable structure to DuPage County for a limited engagement. The traveling installation highlights how large-scale, interactive entertainment can move from city to city,
Louisiana health officials have issued a timely reminder for anyone planning time along the state’s Gulf Coast shoreline. The guidance arrives during the peak of summer travel, when warmer waters and increased beach activity coincide with a seasonal rise in certain bacterial infections. Visitors who approach their trips with awareness can continue to enjoy the
In the vast expanse of Chilean Patagonia, Torres del Paine National Park stands as a place where the landscape commands attention from the first moment it comes into view. The three granite towers that give the park its name rise sharply from the surrounding terrain, their sheer faces catching the light in ways that shift
Beijing – Typhoon Dolphin reached China’s eastern coast on Sunday evening, bringing strong winds and heavy rain that led authorities to cancel more than 1,300 flights at Shanghai’s two main airports. The storm had already affected northern Taiwan the previous day and contributed to challenging conditions farther south in the Philippines. Precautionary measures across the
