Helen Hatzis Profile Overview

Helen Hatzis

Helen Hatzis

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.
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Lake Powell Hits Record Low

The second-largest reservoir in the United States has reached a new historic low, a development that directly shapes how travelers experience one of the American West’s signature destinations. Lake Powell, formed by Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, now sits below the previous minimum set in 2023. This shift comes as the broader river

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When Deadly Heat Made Shorts Acceptable

The summer of 1936 brought an unrelenting heat wave across large parts of the United States. Temperatures climbed to dangerous levels for weeks, and at least five thousand people lost their lives to the extreme conditions. In the midst of that crisis, a quiet shift in everyday clothing began to take hold as people looked

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Essential Etiquette for Visiting U.S. Nudist Resorts

Across the United States, clothing-optional resorts have quietly grown into a distinct corner of travel. Guests arrive seeking a different kind of relaxation, one that removes the usual layers of daily attire and replaces them with straightforward community expectations. These spaces operate on shared agreements that keep everyone comfortable and the environment respectful. The Rise

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Wildfires Reach Even Arctic Trails

Peter set out this summer for the Arctic Circle Trail in Greenland, a remote route through one of the coldest regions on Earth. His partner knew he would be out of contact for more than a week and ran through the usual list of backcountry concerns. A wildfire never made the list. Yet the risk

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Disney Parks Reveal New Attractions Opening in 2027 and Beyond

The Walt Disney Company shared meaningful progress on its theme park projects during the recent D23 event in Anaheim. Held on August 15 under the theme Horizons: A Carousel of Progress, the evening focused on updates to lands and attractions first outlined in prior years. Travelers planning visits to Walt Disney World or Disneyland now

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Hurricane Lala Triggers Major Power Outages in Hawaii

Hawaii residents and visitors woke to widespread disruption after Hurricane Lala swept through the islands, leaving more than 88,000 customers without electricity. Flooding and damaging winds compounded the challenge, affecting daily routines and travel logistics across multiple islands. The storm’s passage highlights both the islands’ vulnerability to tropical weather and the steady resilience of local

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Renaissance Treasures Taken from Sicily’s MuMe Museum

Messina, Sicily – Four paintings attributed to the 15th-century Sicilian master Antonello da Messina disappeared from the MuMe regional museum on the evening of the Ferragosto holiday, a day when many institutions across Italy observe the feast of the Assumption. The works include three panels from the San Gregorio Polyptych of 1473 and a double-sided

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Tokyo's Fish Markets: The Story Behind Tsukiji's Outer Market and Toyosu's Wholesale Hub

Tokyo has long drawn food enthusiasts to its renowned seafood markets, yet the 2018 relocation of the central wholesale operations created lasting distinctions between two sites that now serve different visitor needs. The move shifted the large-scale tuna auctions and distribution facilities to a new complex while preserving a vibrant street-level presence at the original

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Santa Rosa Crowns Rescue Pug as Contest Winner

Santa Rosa, California – A rescue pug named Jinny Lu captured the top honor at the long-running World’s Ugliest Dog contest this year. Her story of survival after escaping the dog meat trade in South Korea adds a powerful layer to an event that has marked its 50th edition in the heart of Sonoma County.

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Boutique Hotels Enter Major Loyalty Programs

Travelers who collect points through major hotel chains have long faced a familiar trade-off. The most distinctive boutique properties often operated outside loyalty networks, requiring cash payments for stays that felt personal and memorable. That separation has narrowed considerably in recent months as independent hotels align with established programs. A Shift in Access Independent operators

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Big Island Braces for Hurricane Lala After 155 Years

Hawaii’s Big Island stands at the center of an uncommon meteorological moment. Hurricane Lala has continued to strengthen over the Pacific, placing the island on track for what could become its first direct hurricane landfall in 155 years. Travelers with plans in the coming weeks are watching developments closely while local communities focus on readiness.