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.
Travelers who redeem Flying Blue miles for Air France and KLM flights will soon face a more structured set of choices when booking awards. Beginning September 8, the program will introduce three distinct fare types within each cabin: Light, Standard, and Flex. This adjustment aligns award tickets with the fare families already used for paid
The Moon holds its secrets tightly, even in an era of constant observation. A discarded rocket body that had drifted through space for years finally met the lunar surface in a high-speed collision. NASA has now confirmed the precise location of that impact, crediting a blend of agency scientists and dedicated hobbyist astronomers for the
More travelers are turning to airport lounges right after clearing security, seeking a quieter space to work, eat, or simply pause before boarding. This shift has prompted closer examination of what makes these spaces effective. A recent J.D. Power study provides fresh data on how different networks perform across the United States. Why the Findings
Houston is entering a stretch of intense summer heat that forecasters expect to push temperatures into triple digits while holding rainfall to a minimum. The pattern has raised the possibility of what meteorologists call a flash drought, a rapid shift toward drier conditions driven by prolonged heat and scarce precipitation. For visitors planning time along
The Moon – Recent images from a NASA spacecraft orbiting the lunar surface are delivering the sharpest views yet of a crater formed by the impact of a SpaceX Falcon 9 upper stage. This development arrives at a moment when interest in lunar exploration continues to grow, offering a tangible reminder of the dynamic environment
The U.S. Forest Service has advanced a proposal to rescind the roadless rule, a measure first adopted in 2001 that has long limited road construction across large portions of the national forest system. This step would affect roughly 58 million acres of backcountry terrain that currently supports quiet trails, remote campsites, and intact wildlife corridors.
The WNBA’s decision to bring its 2027 All-Star Weekend to Chase Center gives travelers and local businesses a clear timeline for preparation. With the Golden State Valkyries already established in the city, the event adds another layer of interest to San Francisco’s calendar. Advance notice allows visitors to consider how the weekend fits into broader
Los Angeles – Late summer brings a distinctive sight to the skies over Southern California. Large, metallic-green beetles take to the air in noticeable numbers, their flight paths often erratic and low to the ground. These figeater beetles, known scientifically as Cotinis mutabilis, mark a familiar seasonal shift for residents and visitors alike. A Native
Slovenia’s Julian Alps rise sharply from the landscape, and Mount Triglav stands as the country’s highest point at 2,864 meters. The peak appears on the national flag, and local tradition holds that a true Slovenian has stood atop it. Yet one traveler on a women’s group trek chose not to continue to the summit, and
Travelers drawn to the American West often find themselves standing at the edge of vast waters that have long defined the region. Lake Mead and Lake Powell, the country’s two largest reservoirs, sit along the Colorado River and continue to shape both the landscape and the journeys of those who visit. Recent satellite comparisons now
Honolulu – Tropical Storm Lala swept past Hawaii’s islands over the weekend, bringing intense rainfall and strong winds that left communities dealing with flooding, debris, and widespread power loss. The storm, which weakened from hurricane strength before reaching the state, caused one confirmed fatality and disrupted daily life for residents and visitors alike. Recovery efforts
American Express is currently offering a 30 percent bonus on transfers of Membership Rewards points to three Avios-based loyalty programs. The promotion runs through September 27 and applies to British Airways Club, Iberia Club and Aer Lingus AerClub. For travelers who hold Amex points, the window creates a practical opportunity to stretch balances further on