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.
Washington Dulles International Airport stands at the threshold of one of the largest infrastructure projects in recent U.S. aviation history. On July 29, officials unveiled a $22.5 billion plan to modernize the facility over the coming decade, accelerating work already outlined in the airport’s master plan. For travelers, the changes promise more space, smoother connections,
American Express cardholders who hold Membership Rewards points have a defined window to move those points into Marriott Bonvoy accounts at an improved rate. The current promotion adds 30 percent to each transfer completed by the September 3, 2026 deadline. For travelers who already plan stays at Marriott properties, the adjustment can translate into additional
Lake Bled draws visitors with its striking arrangement of water, island, and castle, yet the most distinctive experience lies in the quiet customs that shape a visit to the island church. Travelers reach the small landmass by traditional pletna boats, then ascend a historic staircase where a local tradition invites grooms to carry their brides.
In 2024 the New York Liberty secured their first WNBA championship, ending a long drought for professional basketball titles in New York City. That victory has drawn more families to Barclays Center, where the team now plays its home games in Brooklyn. One recent outing paired a matchup against the Dallas Wings with time spent
Space exploration continues to reshape how people on Earth relate to the moon, turning a distant celestial body into something more immediate and observable. A recent impact from a SpaceX rocket booster created a fresh crater on the lunar surface, an event that unfolded far from human view yet carries quiet implications for those who
Santa Cruz, California, draws visitors year after year for its accessible shoreline and steady Pacific swells. A recent incident there underscored how quickly conditions can shift for even experienced beachgoers. Ten-year-old Nathaniel Rai found himself caught in a strong rip current while swimming, an experience that left much of the event hazy in his memory
Travelers drawn to Japan often concentrate on its most celebrated cities, yet a full circumnavigation by cruise ship opens access to places that remain largely outside standard itineraries. The Diamond Princess, operated by Princess Cruises, follows a clockwise route around the main islands, calling at smaller ports where daily life unfolds at a measured pace.
Mount Washington, New Hampshire – The summit of this storied peak often arrives under conditions that test every hiker’s preparation and composure. In one recent case, an 18-year-old from Massachusetts found himself unable to bear weight on an injured leg yet still covered more than a quarter mile back toward the summit to shorten the
August brings its own rhythms of travel, with many still savoring summer escapes while others begin to consider the quieter planning that comes with the year’s later months. This year, however, the conversation around holiday flights carries added weight. Airfares have climbed sharply, and the pattern suggests that waiting may carry real costs for those
San Juan, Puerto Rico – Puerto Rico has begun rolling out water rationing across San Juan and several neighboring municipalities as the island contends with its driest July on record in more than a century. The measures affect more than 180,000 customers who will go without service for 48-hour stretches on an alternating schedule, a
Private jet sharing programs are drawing increased interest among American travelers who seek greater flexibility and comfort in the air. These arrangements allow participants to access aircraft without the full expense of outright ownership. The shift reflects broader changes in how affluent flyers approach business and leisure travel amid evolving schedules and preferences. Why This
Passengers boarding flights on clear summer days rarely expect delays tied to temperature alone. Yet record heat in places like Las Vegas has already prompted airlines to ask travelers to give up seats so planes can meet safe takeoff weights. The underlying cause lies in simple physics that grows more relevant each year. Thinner Air
