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.
New Zealand’s food culture often reveals itself in small, everyday pleasures rather than grand declarations. Among them, Pineapple Lumps stand out as a confection that many visitors first encounter in a corner dairy or airport shop and later find themselves tucking into their luggage. The chewy, chocolate-coated pineapple-flavored centers evoke a particular kind of local
Experienced travelers understand that smooth journeys often rest on quiet preparation rather than luck alone. When a phone fails or an unexpected request for identification arises, having certain papers close at hand can restore calm and forward motion. These practices draw from years of real trips across borders and time zones, where small habits have
Moab, Utah, anchors a landscape of towering sandstone formations that have long drawn visitors seeking quiet trails and expansive views. Canyonlands Field Airport has operated without consistent major airline service for nearly three years. That changes on October 6 when Delta Air Lines and United Airlines resume scheduled flights, each operated by regional partner SkyWest.
Kyoto holds a distinctive approach to receiving visitors that extends well beyond standard service. The concept of omotenashi centers on anticipating a guest’s needs through careful observation and preparation, often before any request is made. This practice draws from centuries of refinement in the city’s cultural traditions and shapes how travelers encounter its temples, gardens,
England’s highest mountain rises in the heart of the Lake District, yet many capable walkers discover that Scafell Pike need not remain an intimidating prospect. The standard route from Wasdale offers a clear, well-trodden path that rewards steady effort with expansive views and a genuine sense of achievement. With thoughtful preparation, the mountain becomes an
Years spent driving across the United States on a UK licence before residency created a distinct vantage point on what actually earns space in the trunk. The shift from visitor status to state-licensed resident altered priorities in measurable ways, affecting both short-term travelers and those planning longer stays. Practical consequences emerged around documentation, vehicle access,
Alaska Airlines is adjusting its network to better match current travel patterns, with fresh seasonal service that directly connects two smaller Pacific Northwest cities to Hawaii. The moves follow the carrier’s 2024 merger with Hawaiian Airlines and reflect a broader effort to strengthen links between the mainland and the islands while reallocating long-haul capacity elsewhere.
Appellation Healdsburg and Rosewood Miramar Beach have been named the leading hotels in the continental United States. The announcement places both properties ahead of others nationwide, drawing attention to their distinct settings in Sonoma wine country and along the Santa Barbara coast. One of the two stands out for offering a more accessible price point
Travelers who value seamless connections between their hotel stays and long-haul flights now have a practical new option. Marriott Bonvoy and Japan Airlines have introduced a preferred partnership that rewards members simply for connecting their accounts. The arrangement provides elite-qualifying points, status-matching opportunities, and a streamlined route toward oneworld recognition, all without requiring extra spending
Travelers often form impressions of a destination long before they arrive, and perceptions of everyday service play a quiet but steady role in those expectations. Recent findings from a customer service study place the United States lower on a worldwide list of friendly interactions, yet New York City still secured a spot among the top
Travelers who have long dreaded the middle seat now have a concrete reason to watch United Airlines’ fleet updates. The carrier is preparing its incoming Airbus A321XLR aircraft with a configuration that physically blocks the center seat in select economy rows, creating a guaranteed empty space between passengers. This change arrives as the airline readies
United Airlines has confirmed a distinctive addition to its upcoming Airbus A321XLR fleet. One row in the economy cabin will feature a guaranteed empty middle seat, creating extra elbow room on long-haul flights. The move extends the carrier’s Economy Plus offering and echoes a seating approach long familiar on European short-haul routes. A Single Row