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.
Tanzania – As of October 1, most international visitors arriving in this East African country must carry a designated travel insurance policy to enter by air, land, or sea. The rule stems from amendments to the Insurance Act and aligns with similar measures already in place on Zanzibar and in neighboring Kenya. It applies to
For years, Kate McCulley of Adventurous Kate had kept a quiet tally of the places she visited, steadily working toward a personal milestone that once felt distant. In the late summer of 2026, that goal came into focus during a 34-day journey across southern Africa, the longest single trip she had made to the continent.
Travelers planning future Delta journeys now have a new option to consider when weighing the Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card. The card’s latest welcome offer marks the first time new members can receive two round-trip Delta Comfort flight certificates along with 50,000 bonus miles after meeting a spending threshold. This development arrives at a
French Polynesia continues to draw travelers seeking clear lagoons, volcanic peaks, and a deep connection to Polynesian culture. A new promotion from sister brands Paul Gauguin Cruises and Ponant Explorations now adds a practical incentive for those considering voyages in the region. The Tempting Tahiti offer provides $1,000 in shipboard credit per cabin on qualifying
The Bay Area welcomed six matches from the expanded FIFA World Cup 2026 this summer, including a Round of 32 contest that featured the United States Men’s National Team. Those games produced roughly $850 million in total economic activity across the region, a figure that exceeded earlier projections. The outcome highlights how a major international
Austin Parks and Recreation has announced that the Zilker Botanical Garden will close beginning Thursday. The decision affects one of the city’s most cherished green spaces, where residents and visitors alike have long found quiet refuge among native plants and winding paths. Travelers planning an Austin trip this fall will want to adjust their itineraries
IHG and its partner Chase have introduced updates across their cobranded credit card portfolio, bringing new earning rates, additional elite status pathways and fresh statement credits for travelers who stay frequently at IHG properties. The changes affect three existing cards and add one new premium option, with annual fees rising on two of the refreshed
Florida – On October 1, 2026, a pocket watch that has marked time for more than a hundred years will leave Earth aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. The timepiece belongs to Canadian Space Agency astronaut Joshua Kutryk, who carries it as both a practical tool and a reminder of his family’s journey across generations. The
Chase has introduced the IHG One Rewards Premier Select Credit Card, a new premium option in its partnership with IHG One Rewards that targets travelers who stay frequently at the hotel group’s properties. The card carries a $350 annual fee and arrives with a limited-time welcome bonus of 200,000 points after meeting a modest spending
Travelers who seek more than colorful reefs often discover that some of the most memorable underwater encounters happen at sites people deliberately placed there. Divers at Atlas & Boots have explored both natural wonders such as Steve’s Bommie on the Great Barrier Reef and intentionally created locations that turn ordinary dives into something entirely different.
Nicaragua draws travelers with its striking volcanic terrain and graceful colonial architecture set against a backdrop of genuine local warmth. The country offers a measured pace that rewards those who linger in its landscapes and communities. A two-week journey provides enough time to move thoughtfully between these elements without rushing. Volcanic Landscapes That Shape Daily
Rove, a rewards program that allows members to earn transferable miles without a credit card, has introduced three transfer bonuses running through October 31. These offers apply to Japan Airlines Mileage Bank, Air France-KLM Flying Blue and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, with bonuses ranging from 15 percent up to 50 percent depending on the partner