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.
Premium travel cards often prompt careful consideration when their annual fees climb into the hundreds of dollars. The Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card stands out in this category with its $650 fee and a focused set of hotel-centric benefits. For travelers who value stays at Marriott properties, the combination of elite status, a yearly
A traveler who entrusted her dog to the cargo hold of a commercial flight now seeks detailed records of what occurred during the journey. The incident highlights ongoing conversations about how airlines handle companion animals and the information provided to owners afterward. For those who fly regularly with pets, the case underscores the value of
San Francisco sits at the meeting point of dense urban neighborhoods and rugged coastal hills, a geography that occasionally brings its wild residents into closer view. The most recent example unfolded in the Outer Sunset district, where a mountain lion was safely captured hours after it was observed moving through the area on a Friday
Air travelers have long navigated a patchwork of airline policies when flights are held up, and a regulatory adjustment now adds another layer of consideration for those affected by mechanical problems. The U.S. Department of Transportation has implemented a shift in how certain maintenance-related disruptions are classified, following directives in federal legislation from 2024. This
New York City holds its history in plain view for those willing to pause. Scattered across sidewalks, parks, and building facades lie physical traces of earlier eras, from the age of horses to the first days of the republic. These remnants invite travelers to experience the city not as a fixed present but as a
Washington Dulles International Airport – Travelers passing through one of the East Coast’s busiest gateways will soon find a familiar refuge restored to its complete form. After months of limited service, the Capital One Lounge is scheduled to resume full operations on September 18 at 11 a.m. ET. The change follows targeted infrastructure work focused
Delta introduced the first all-suite business-class cabin with closing doors a decade ago, setting a new standard for privacy on long-haul flights. The product has since appeared on select wide-body aircraft and earned consistent recognition for its enclosed design. Travelers now encounter these suites on routes spanning multiple continents, where the combination of space and
Delta Air Lines is expanding its operations at Los Angeles International Airport with a new daily nonstop to Philadelphia and increased service on several existing routes. The moves form part of the carrier’s largest schedule yet at LAX, set to take effect next year. Travelers can expect more direct options and better connections from the
In the heart of Midtown Manhattan, a longtime gathering spot for the city’s financial community has quietly returned with a refreshed look and renewed energy. San Pietro, located on East 54th Street just off Madison Avenue, closed for nearly a year to update its decor and ambiance before reopening earlier this spring. The move reflects
In Volusia County, Florida, a beach safety lifeguard recently helped a tiny sea turtle hatchling that had washed ashore during its first attempt to reach the ocean. The rescue took place amid an active nesting season along the county’s Atlantic beaches, where more than 1,700 nesting sites have been recorded this year. Such moments illustrate
Orange County, California, reveals a layered side of itself each fall as beaches and theme parks give way to pumpkin patches, historic ghost walks, and community altars that honor the season’s deeper meanings. The celebrations stretch from mid-September into early November, drawing families, couples, and solo travelers who seek both lively entertainment and moments of
La Paz, Bolivia – In the misty slopes of the Yungas, a small spotted feline long mistaken by locals for a stray house cat has been confirmed as an entirely new species. The discovery, led by Bolivian biologist Paola Nogales-Ascarrunz, marks the first time scientists have described a fresh wild cat species anywhere in the