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.
Amsterdam draws visitors with its canals and historic streets, yet many leave with a deeper connection formed through its everyday food traditions. A warm stroopwafel offers one such entry point, turning a simple bite into a reminder of how local craft shapes daily life. Travelers who pause to seek out the freshly made version often
Jackson Hole, Wyoming – The only commercial airport inside a U.S. national park sits just seven miles from the heart of this mountain town, offering arrivals an immediate view of the jagged Teton range. That proximity shapes every aspect of a visit, from the short drive into town to the ease of reaching two of
Cerne Abbas sits quietly among the rolling hills of Dorset, its narrow lanes and stone cottages forming one of England’s most photographed villages. Within this setting stands Cerne Abbey, a medieval site that continues to surprise visitors who arrive expecting only the famous chalk figure on the hillside. The abbey’s surviving fragments offer a direct
Ljubljana serves as an ideal gateway for travelers discovering Slovenia, a nation whose modest size belies an impressive variety of landscapes. Visitors often arrive expecting a quick transit point between larger neighbors and instead find themselves drawn into extended stays amid forests, clear waters, and historic settlements. The country’s geography allows easy movement from one
United Airlines is expanding access to its newest long-haul aircraft from its Houston hub this fall. The carrier will place Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured with its latest interior on several international routes beginning in late October. Travelers on these flights will encounter refreshed cabins that place greater emphasis on premium seating options. The Aircraft Configuration
The U.S. Department of Transportation is reviewing long-standing rules that shape the first price a traveler sees when searching for flights. These regulations, put in place more than a decade ago, require airlines to show the full cost – including base fare, taxes, and mandatory fees – right away. Any revisions could influence how easily
Hawaii draws families year after year with its varied islands and gentle pace, yet the difference between a smooth journey and one filled with avoidable friction often comes down to when families choose to travel. The state welcomed nearly 10 million visitors in 2025, underscoring its enduring appeal across generations. Thoughtful timing around seasons, inter-island
Buenos Aires has long carried the memory of the South Atlantic islands known locally as the Malvinas. A single hand-painted banner unfurled during a World Cup semifinal has now carried that memory into everyday life for a younger generation. The result is a fresh wave of cultural attention that reaches far beyond the stadium. The
France’s Seine River winds through centuries of history, and few vessels offer a more considered way to trace its course than Tauck’s ms Serene. The ship recently welcomed Travel + Leisure aboard for the debut episode of its “Step Inside” series, filmed during the Rendezvous on the Seine itinerary. The resulting footage highlights the quiet
Effective Aug. 15, 2026, Chase Sapphire Lounges will no longer participate in the Priority Pass or LoungeKey networks. This marks a clear shift after years of steady expansion that brought these distinctive airport spaces to more travelers across the country. At the same time, the issuer is introducing a targeted improvement for its own cardholders
Many travelers carry cards that quietly open doors to smoother journeys, yet few pause to explore the full range of benefits attached to their wallets. For holders of select Canadian-issued Visa cards, the Visa Destinations program supplies concrete conveniences that support more fluid movement through airports, cities, and cultural landmarks. These advantages center on reliable
Hiroshima continues to offer new layers of understanding long after 1945. An international research team recently identified a previously unknown alloy while studying tiny glassy particles collected from the region. The finding emerged from careful examination of fallout material and adds a scientific dimension to the city’s well-known sites of remembrance. Tracing the Discovery in