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.
Southwest Airlines has started work on a new set of airport lounges, marking a clear evolution in how the carrier serves its passengers. Four locations are already in development, with openings planned for late 2027 in Austin, Baltimore, Honolulu and Nashville. The move reflects ongoing adjustments at the airline as it responds to traveler expectations
The Sundance Film Festival will unfold in Boulder, Colorado, from January 21 to 31, 2027, marking a notable shift for one of the country’s most prominent independent film gatherings. This development opens a fresh chapter for visitors who have long connected the event with its previous setting, now inviting them to experience the festival amid
Travelers relying on Apple Maps to explore the Great Lakes region may notice a new label when viewing the body of water that borders New York state and Ontario province. As of this week, the app displays “Lake America” for users inside the United States while retaining the traditional name for those elsewhere. The adjustment
Catalina Island stands at a pivotal moment in its long history of balancing human enjoyment with natural preservation. A recent court decision has cleared the way for the Catalina Island Conservancy to proceed with its plan to remove the island’s non-native mule deer population, a step aimed at safeguarding the unique habitats that define this
World of Hyatt members now have a limited window to purchase points at a 20 percent discount, an opportunity that closes on October 5, 2026. The promotion arrives at a moment when many travelers are mapping out stays for the coming year and weighing how best to stretch their budgets across preferred properties. For those
Passengers planning long-haul journeys with American Airlines will encounter a clear change in the carrier’s highest tier of service. The airline has begun phasing out its Flagship First cabin on Boeing 777 aircraft, replacing it with an expanded business-class product that emphasizes privacy and space. This transition marks a deliberate step in how the carrier
Airfares for peak travel periods have risen noticeably this year, driven in part by higher jet fuel costs and broader economic pressures. Domestic holiday fares, for instance, have climbed between 9 and 18 percent compared with the same period last year, while international holiday options sit roughly 16 percent higher. Travelers who understand current booking
As September 2026 begins, many frequent travelers and business owners are reviewing their credit card portfolios to capture elevated welcome offers before limited-time promotions expire. The largest current bonus stands out for its scale, potentially unlocking thousands of dollars in travel value through a single card application. Issuers continue to adjust these incentives in response
Grand Canyon National Park – Recent flash flooding along trails in the park has drawn renewed attention to a hazard that can transform dry creek beds into raging torrents within minutes. A second hiker was recovered following the Saturday incident, while search efforts continue for another individual still unaccounted for. The event serves as a
Brooklyn – Two wooden schooners that once carried pilots through Boston Harbor, supported Coast Guard operations during World War II, and welcomed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau now rest in a quiet inlet off the Gowanus Canal. The 121-foot Pilot and the 128-foot Victory Chimes, both more than a century old, sank in early July while
Granada sits on the northwestern shore of Lake Nicaragua, its streets lined with buildings painted in deep reds, sunny yellows, and soft pastels that catch the light throughout the day. Travelers arriving after time spent in quieter parts of the country often notice the shift immediately, as horse-drawn carriages share the road with modern vehicles
Qantas will soon connect New York and Sydney with the first nonstop commercial flight between the two cities, a journey that can stretch up to 22 hours in the air. The airline’s Project Sunrise initiative marks a practical shift in long-haul travel, removing the need for connections on one of the world’s most distant city