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.
Costa Rica’s Pacific coast holds many natural draws, yet Nauyaca Waterfalls stand apart for their quiet presence rather than sheer scale. Travelers based in Uvita often seek this twin cascade for its clear pools, surrounding rainforest, and the calm that settles in during early hours. Reaching the site requires planning, yet the options remain straightforward
Orange County, California, is introducing a new program that invites residents to turn in e-bikes and e-motorcycles in exchange for gift cards. The initiative, set for September, draws directly from established gun buyback models used by police departments nationwide. Visitors who enjoy renting these vehicles to explore the county’s popular beach communities will want to
Along the Nepal-China border, flash flooding and mud flows have left hundreds of people missing, including 65 Americans, in a region popular with trekkers from the United States. The event appears linked to a glacial collapse, according to early reports, and search operations continue amid challenging terrain. This development carries direct implications for American travelers
Italy presents a striking contrast between its advanced digital infrastructure and the real-world connectivity hurdles travelers encounter in historic centers and rural landscapes. Thick stone walls in places like Rome and Naples, combined with winding mountain roads along the Amalfi Coast and stretches through Tuscany, often disrupt service in ways that surprise first-time visitors. An
United Airlines has confirmed plans to resume a distinctive nonstop service to Greenland next year, part of a wider decision to bring back every seasonal international route the carrier operated during the summer of 2026. The announcement underscores a continued emphasis on connecting travelers with less frequently served destinations while expanding options across southern Europe.
Archaeologists working in Turkey have brought to light a delicate Christian amulet that has rested underground for roughly fifteen centuries. The find centers on a paper-thin sheet of gold carefully folded inside a small container, a detail that immediately drew expert attention. Researchers now examine whether the sheet carries a biblical passage, adding one more
Tabuk City sits in the Cordillera highlands of northern Luzon, where rice fields stretch across valleys and communities gather each June to mark shared heritage. The Matagoan Festival brings together residents from different cultural backgrounds for performances, markets, and civic events that reflect both agricultural life and longstanding practices of peace. Travelers who arrive during
United Airlines has announced plans to introduce nonstop service to ten new international destinations beginning next spring. The move represents the carrier’s most ambitious international growth in its nearly 100-year history and will give travelers from several U.S. gateways direct access to cities that previously required connections. The expansion reflects both operational confidence and a
Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, holds a singular lodging option for devoted fans of country music icon Dolly Parton. At Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort and Spa, her retired 1986 Prevost tour bus has been converted into a private two-night suite experience. The arrangement preserves the vehicle’s history while offering guests an intimate look at life on the road
Kyoto continues to attract travelers drawn to its layered history of temples, seasonal gardens, and refined cultural practices that have endured for centuries. IHG Hotels & Resorts has entered an agreement to convert 14 existing properties in the city, adding new lodging choices across several of its brands. The portfolio totals 1,063 rooms and targets
In the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Dolly Parton’s lifelong connection to her Sevier County roots has produced measurable results for the region’s visitor economy. Her sustained efforts have helped place the county among Tennessee’s leading tourism revenue generators, specifically ranking it third in the state. This outcome reflects the practical reach of one
Across the United States, a partial lunar eclipse will unfold late on Thursday, August 27, and into the early hours of Friday, August 28. Earth’s shadow will sweep across nearly all of the moon’s face, reaching about 96 percent coverage at its peak. The event offers a clear, safe spectacle for observers in every time