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.
Southern California sits atop layers of time that rarely surface in daily life. A construction project recently brought one of those layers into view when workers uncovered fossilized bones of a large hoofed mammal. The remains are estimated to be more than 40 million years old, offering a quiet reminder that familiar ground once supported
Riviera Maya, Mexico – Kimpton has opened its first all-inclusive resort, placing the brand’s distinctive approach inside a 340-acre nature reserve along the Riviera Maya coast. ([1])The Kimpton Tres Ríos property sits between Playa del Carmen and Cancun, developed in partnership with Hotel Equities to offer 355 rooms and suites that emphasize connection to the
Two travel enthusiasts with deep roots in their respective cities decided to test their loyalties by swapping destinations for a brief but intense 48 hours. One left London behind to explore New York, while the other crossed the Atlantic to experience the British capital for the first time on someone else’s terms. The result was
In Houston, a distinctive run club has found a way to merge physical movement with the comforting rituals of Mexican-American baking traditions. Participants gather regularly to cover neighborhood routes before pausing for conchas and other pan dulce treats that anchor the experience in shared heritage. The approach highlights how everyday activities can strengthen community ties
The Hamptons region on Long Island continues to draw affluent visitors and residents seeking distinctive coastal experiences. A notable shift is underway as buyers explore properties along the bay and north of the main highway, even when oceanfront options remain within reach. Strict zoning rules and limited land availability have contributed to this movement, opening
Delta Air Lines has decided to discontinue a recently launched nonstop route between Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport. The change reflects the carrier’s ongoing adjustments to its network in response to shifting passenger demand. Travelers who booked the service for dates after November 30 will need to make new
Rome – The Colosseum, one of the world’s most visited historic sites, has closed temporarily following a workplace accident during ongoing renovation work. A 22-year-old technician named Andrea Moretti lost his life after falling several meters while installing a new lighting system inside the ancient arena. The closure affects travelers with plans to visit this
Bilt Rewards members gained a new option today for turning everyday spending into train journeys across the United States. The program announced Amtrak Guest Rewards as its 26th transfer partner and its first rail partner, with transfers available starting September 23, 2026. This development opens a direct path from credit card points to Amtrak travel
Travelers often encounter promotions advertising flights for as little as one Philippine peso, a figure that sparks immediate interest among those mapping out trips across Southeast Asia. In practice, the final amount paid reflects a combination of base fares, government taxes, airport fees, and carrier charges that together determine the real expense of the journey.
Rome’s ancient amphitheater stood unusually quiet on a recent Wednesday, its gates shut to the public for the first time in years. The closure followed a workplace accident during overnight maintenance and reflected the careful priorities of Italian authorities managing one of the world’s most visited heritage sites. Officials weighed visitor safety and crowd management
Paris – A roughly 65-foot stone-and-wood wall uncovered this summer beneath a hotel on the Ile de la Cite has drawn attention from France’s culture ministry as a potential key to locating the original settlement of Lutetia, the ancient predecessor of Paris. The find sits just steps from Notre Dame Cathedral and dates to the
Off the southwestern shores of Mexico, Hurricane Polo has drawn close attention from forecasters and coastal communities alike. The storm rapidly reached Category 5 intensity on Tuesday before easing to a powerful Category 4, with its center positioned roughly 220 miles south of Zihuatanejo in Guerrero state. Travelers planning visits to the Pacific coast region