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.
Houston, Texas – The Houston Zoo has introduced a fresh cohort of young reptiles this October, bringing renewed attention to the quiet work of accredited zoos in supporting wildlife populations. Among the arrivals are star tortoises returning after an absence, along with several species marking their first appearances at the facility. These developments offer visitors
Travel often begins the moment the door to a hotel room clicks shut behind you. That quiet space becomes a temporary base, and small choices made right away can shape how comfortably the stay unfolds. Experienced travelers tend to approach these first minutes with quiet intention rather than haste, turning routine actions into habits that
Pet owners already spend regularly on food, treats, litter, and veterinary care. Those routine purchases can quietly accumulate points, miles, and cash back that later support travel. The Points Guy recently outlined practical ways to capture rewards on exactly this kind of spending without changing habits. ([1]) Start with targeted card offers Many issuers periodically
Chicago – The 39th annual Lincoln Square Apple Fest opened this weekend along North Lincoln Avenue, offering residents and visitors a neighborhood-scale welcome to autumn. ([1])Produced by the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce, the event runs through Sunday and centers on the stretch between Lawrence and Sunnyside Avenues. Three Days of Seasonal Gatherings The
Miami is distributing 600 fruit trees to residents as part of a direct effort to increase shade and moderate temperatures across the city. The giveaway focuses on species well suited to the local climate, including mango, avocado, starfruit, and lychee. By placing these trees in private yards and community spaces, the program aims to build
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park holds a coastline shaped by fire and water, where lava flows meet the Pacific in constant motion. The Holei Sea Arch, once standing roughly 90 feet high along the park’s rugged southern shore, has collapsed into the sea following recent storms that swept across the islands. The change marks another chapter
Art critic and CCS Bard faculty member Dawn Chan has spent recent years testing what it means to stay present in a global cultural scene without boarding a plane. Her approach grew from a personal moment of reckoning during an extreme weather event that flooded her mother’s basement in 2023, prompting her to reconsider the
Boston’s TD Garden welcomed fans on October 2 for an evening that honored the 30th anniversary of Smashing Pumpkins’ landmark album Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness. The three-hour performance traced nearly four decades of the band’s distinctive sound, blending expansive anthems with quieter, introspective moments. For travelers drawn to live music as a way
Unexpected changes during travel often arrive without warning, turning a smooth itinerary into a test of composure and resourcefulness. Over years of journeys, seasoned travelers have encountered cancelled flights, misplaced luggage, and other disruptions that underscore the value of quiet preparation rather than exhaustive planning. A measured approach keeps these moments from derailing the larger
New York City – In the rhythm of daily commutes and exploratory journeys through Manhattan, small gestures of care can transform ordinary moments into something memorable. A Brooklyn-based artist named Eujue has captured widespread attention by replacing a damaged tile at the Delancey Street-Essex Street station with a ceramic piece featuring living chia plants shaped
Southwest Airlines has outlined plans for its most extensive summer schedule to date, introducing 11 new or returning routes that will connect travelers to 15 cities beginning in June 2027. The expansion places particular emphasis on Austin, Nashville, and San Diego, where the carrier intends to increase flight options during the peak travel months. This
Many travelers carry rewards cards that quietly deliver monthly statement credits and other benefits designed to offset annual fees. These recurring perks often go unused simply because they require a quick enrollment or a specific purchase before the month ends. Keeping track of them can turn routine spending into meaningful support for the journeys already
