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.
In remote Alaska, a moose hunter survived a close encounter with a bear and later reflected that he was glad to have lost consciousness during the incident. The event, reported in news accounts from mid-September 2026, offers a stark reminder of the untamed character of the state’s vast interior. Travelers drawn to Alaska’s backcountry often
Recent attention has turned toward a striking granite formation in California’s Sierra National Forest, where climbers continue to seek out remote, high-quality rock. Power Dome rises prominently above Courtright Reservoir, offering a quieter alternative to more famous Sierra destinations. Its sheer faces and classic routes reward those who travel prepared and with respect for the
Canada stretches across six time zones and nearly 10 million square kilometres of diverse terrain. A trip linking the glacier-carved peaks of the Rockies with the rugged coastline of Nova Scotia’s Cabot Trail captures only a portion of this immense country, yet it offers profound encounters with its natural and cultural landscapes. Such an undertaking
For frequent flyers who juggle work trips with personal travel, selecting the right premium card can shape everything from lounge access to how points accumulate across long-haul journeys. The American Express Platinum Card® has long held a prominent place in many wallets, yet its business counterpart often delivers targeted advantages that align more closely with
New York City travelers and commuters may soon have a fresh reason to linger inside one of the nation’s most storied transit hubs. Osteria Centrale and Mercato Centrale are slated to open possibly as early as next month, introducing dedicated spaces for Italian dining and market shopping within Grand Central Terminal. The development adds a
American Airlines AAdvantage miles deliver strong value on select international routes when travelers focus on partner airlines and off-peak periods rather than dynamic pricing on American metal. Business-class awards to Europe, for example, begin at 57,500 miles one way from any U.S. city on carriers such as Iberia or Finnair. This structure rewards careful planning
Many frequent travelers hold cards that quietly accumulate quarterly statement credits and bonus earning categories, yet these benefits often go unused until the final weeks of the period. With the third quarter ending on September 30, 2026, cardholders have a narrow window to apply credits toward hotel stays, flights, dining, and everyday travel-related purchases before
Sports events are reshaping how airlines plan their schedules, with carriers introducing one-off flights to connect fans with major games across the country. This shift reflects a broader pattern in which supporters treat athletic competitions as the centerpiece of extended trips rather than quick getaways. The trend has gained momentum as spending on travel to
Magdeburg, Germany – In the closing weeks of World War II, American troops advancing through central Germany came upon a stalled train carrying 2,500 Jewish prisoners from the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The date was April 13, 1945. The location was a stretch of track near the village of Farsleben, just outside Magdeburg. What happened next
Hyannis Port, Massachusetts – A waterfront estate on Cape Cod has remained in the Kennedy family for nearly a century. Joseph P. Kennedy purchased the property in 1928, establishing a lasting connection between one of America’s most prominent families and this stretch of New England shoreline. The compound continues to stand as a quiet landmark
A recent flight from Newark to Grand Rapids became a quiet reminder of the care that still defines many journeys in the air. Republic Airways flight attendant Monique Harris stepped in when a new mother, exhausted from travel with her infant, began to doze while holding the baby. The moment, captured and shared by fellow
Sonoma County stretches across three distinct landscapes in Northern California: rugged Pacific coastline, towering redwood forests, and fertile valleys dotted with vineyards. Travelers often arrive expecting wine country in its most familiar form, yet the region reveals a slower cadence shaped by small towns, farm-to-table kitchens, and outdoor pursuits that extend well beyond tasting rooms.