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.
Most people driving through the Texas Panhandle see nothing but flat horizon. The landscape seems almost deliberately featureless, stretching in every direction without a hill or a curve to break the monotony. Then, without warning, the earth simply opens up. Palo Duro Canyon, stretching 120 miles across the Texas Panhandle, is the second-largest canyon system
Spain was supposed to be the dream. Sun-drenched beaches, rooftop tapas, buzzing city streets, and a culture that practically pulls you in off the street. For years, it topped the lists. Then something started to shift. Protests. Taxes. Record-breaking crowds. A housing crisis locals can no longer ignore. From Barcelona to Mallorca, the most visited
There’s a quiet shift happening on the freeways east of Los Angeles. Instead of heading to the coast or booking flights to far-flung destinations, more Southern California families are pointing their cars toward the desert. The draw is simple enough: wide open space, manageable driving distances, and costs that don’t require weeks of advance saving.
Savannah has held a near-mythical grip on Southern travel for decades. Spanish moss, cobblestone squares, ghost tours – the recipe is well worn. Yet just about two hours up the Savannah River, a different city has been quietly accumulating the kind of historical density that serious history travelers crave, without the shoulder-to-shoulder crowds or the
A grounded look at Kissimmee through two distinct experiences: slow cycling in Celebration and a guided airboat journey through Florida’s headwaters There is a tendency to arrive in Kissimmee with a fixed idea of what the experience will be, often shaped by its proximity to Central Florida’s theme parks. It is easy to see it
South Dakota authorities have charged a man whose life sentence was reduced by then-Governor Kristi Noem in connection with the death of his teenage niece. The case has drawn renewed attention to the clemency process and its long-term effects on public safety. McKenna Wendel, 14, disappeared in March before her body was recovered days later
During World War II, a small team of American archaeologists and classicists shifted from excavation sites to covert operations. They worked under the Office of Strategic Services to protect Greece’s ancient heritage while gathering intelligence against German forces. Their efforts kept major collections out of Nazi hands for the duration of the occupation. From Classrooms
New York City still holds the glamour and drama that defined Gossip Girl, and fans can trace the show’s most memorable moments without joining a group tour. A self-guided walk lets visitors linger at each spot, snap photos at their own pace, and soak in the atmosphere that once surrounded Serena, Blair, and the rest
Luray Caverns in Virginia draw hundreds of thousands of visitors each year for good reason. The site ranks as the largest cavern in the Eastern United States, with chambers that reach ten stories high and formations shaped over millions of years. Its scale and pristine condition set it apart from many other cave systems travelers
The Grand Canyon has recorded three hiker deaths linked to extreme heat this summer. Park authorities have responded with urgent alerts directed at all visitors. The developments underscore the risks that high temperatures pose in one of the country’s most visited natural areas. What Happened Reports confirm that three individuals died while hiking in the
The Bellagio remains one of the most recognizable hotels on the Las Vegas Strip, celebrated for its central location and signature fountains. A recent guest who booked through Bilt’s Home Away From Home program arrived with clear expectations around upgrades, breakfast credits, and flexible checkout. Those expectations met several obstacles during the two-night visit. Booking
Nearly three-quarters of Americans said they plan to take at least one beach vacation in 2026. While those numbers are up compared to 2025, so are the costs of plane tickets and hotels. For families already juggling tight budgets, the math can feel discouraging fast. The good news is that the US coastline is long,