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.
Pittsburgh International Airport has long balanced the demands of modern travel with the character of its region. The new landside terminal, which opened in November 2025, brought improved security, baggage handling, and dining options. It also set the stage for something less common at major U.S. airports: dedicated outdoor space where passengers and visitors can
A powerful earthquake struck Japan this week, registering 7.1 on the Japanese scale and 6.8 according to the United States Geological Survey. Footage from inside a Costco captured the moment goods tumbled from shelves as the ground moved, a reminder of the sudden forces that shape life in one of the world’s most seismically active
Southwest France is facing an intense wildfire that has expanded across an area four times the size of Paris, centered in the Gironde region west of Bordeaux. Authorities have evacuated roughly 220,000 people from homes and vacation sites as crews work to contain the blaze. Forecast temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius and shifting winds are
The IT outage that prompted a temporary nationwide ground stop for American Airlines has been resolved, with the carrier returning to normal operations. The Air Traffic Control System Command Center confirmed that the issue had affected airports and facilities across the network. With the stop now lifted, attention turns to the practical steps for passengers
Laguna Beach, California, has long drawn those who seek a rare balance of dramatic coastline and quiet seclusion. A newly listed oceanfront compound now carries an asking price of $112 million, a figure that could establish fresh benchmarks for both the city and all of Orange County. The property’s scale and position underscore the enduring
Luang Prabang sits at the confluence of the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers in northern Laos, where centuries-old temples rise above wooden houses and the daily rhythm of monastic life unfolds against a backdrop of forested hills. The town’s UNESCO-listed old quarter preserves a rare balance of lived heritage and quiet streets, drawing visitors who
Travel by sea has long offered couples a chance to step away from daily routines and share new horizons together. Among the many styles available, small-ship and expedition cruises stand out for their measured pace and focused itineraries. These voyages typically welcome only a few dozen to a few hundred guests, creating an environment where
Researchers pursuing the largest known mako shark recently came across a substantial female off the California coast. The encounter, part of a broader effort to document the species at its upper limits, suggests that makos may exceed the long-accepted 13-foot threshold. Such a finding draws fresh attention to the depth and variety of marine life
JetBlue’s recent acquisition of additional takeoff and landing rights at LaGuardia Airport has opened the door to a notable shift in its New York operations. The airline is now in discussions to relocate some of its activity from the modern Terminal B to the older Marine Air Terminal, also known as Terminal A. This move
As teenagers begin seeking greater independence on trips abroad, many parents find themselves reassessing destinations with fresh attention to safety, infrastructure, and ease of movement. Iceland has long held the top position on global peace rankings, a fact that underscores why certain European cities continue to earn trust from families who have already traveled extensively
Along the sunlit shores of Seabright State Beach in Santa Cruz, a 16-year-old lifeguard’s quick actions turned an ordinary summer day into a moment of quiet recognition that reached all the way to the White House. President Donald Trump extended an invitation to the teenager, noting plans to present a High Civilian Honor for the
For travelers weighing a domestic getaway this summer, the decision between driving and flying often comes down to more than distance or speed. Rising fuel costs and higher ticket prices have made the math more relevant than ever, especially for those managing household budgets carefully. A single example can illustrate how the balance shifts depending