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.
San Francisco International Airport handled a routine yet notable aviation event when a fully loaded United Airlines flight bound for Mexico experienced a tire blowout during its takeoff roll. The aircraft returned to the airport without further incident, allowing passengers and crew to disembark safely. Such occurrences, while uncommon, illustrate the layered safety systems that
Travelers frequently notice how hotels balance limited space, construction costs, and visual appeal when shaping guest rooms. These decisions often stem from practical constraints or efforts to create distinctive atmospheres, yet they can affect daily routines in subtle ways. Observing these patterns offers insight into the ongoing evolution of hospitality design. Bathroom Layouts and Privacy
American Airlines is adjusting how complimentary upgrades work on a growing number of domestic routes. Elite members who once cleared into lie-flat business class seats will instead move into premium economy when that cabin is available. The shift begins August 25 and applies only where the airline markets premium economy as a distinct product. The
Air France and KLM’s Flying Blue program releases monthly award promotions that lower the cost of reaching Europe from the United States. The August edition continues this pattern with economy fares beginning at 18,750 miles each way on select long-haul routes. Travelers who act before the end of the month can lock in travel through
Alaska Airlines has activated its monthly Atmos Rewards promotion for August, giving members access to reduced award pricing on select international routes. The Global Getaways offers apply to economy travel between the United States and several cities across Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. With a booking deadline of August 8, 2026, the window is
Slovenia’s Vintgar Gorge draws visitors with its narrow limestone canyon and the vivid green-blue flow of the Radovna River below. Boardwalks cling to the rock walls, offering close views of pools, rapids, and the occasional waterfall as the path winds for 1.6 kilometers. The experience feels both intimate and timeless, yet many travelers discover that
South Korea draws millions of visitors each year with its vibrant food culture, efficient cities, and rich traditions. Among the many items travelers pack from home, one popular American pantry staple has drawn particular attention at the border. Trader Joe’s Everything But The Bagel seasoning blend contains poppy seeds, an ingredient South Korean regulations classify
As families settle back into school routines after summer, many are already looking ahead to fall and winter escapes that offer warmth and relaxation without straining household budgets. Hyatt Inclusive Collection properties in Mexico and the Caribbean have introduced a limited-time promotion that allows children to stay free at select family-oriented all-inclusive resorts. The offer
Six Flags Great America has confirmed plans for a new family-focused expansion that will reshape part of its existing grounds. The project, called Camp Timber Trail, will introduce a woodsy-themed adventure area with nine attractions, anchored by the Sky Hawk roller coaster. It is scheduled to open in 2027 within the park’s Yukon Territory section.
A prolonged heat wave is now prompting red alerts across several major Italian cities while setting a new national temperature record in Austria. The conditions have also contributed to wildfires in France and placed added pressure on energy grids and transportation networks throughout the continent. For US travelers with summer plans in Italy, Austria, or
Frank Lloyd Wright shaped American architecture with designs that still draw admirers decades after his death. His surviving homes stand as living testaments to organic principles that blend structure with landscape. Yet keeping these rare properties intact requires steady commitment from owners and preservation groups alike. Petra Island in upstate New York offers one clear
Kolar sits roughly 65 kilometers east of Bangalore, a compact town whose layered past continues to shape its present identity. For more than a century its gold fields operated continuously, generating regional wealth long after the mines closed. Centuries earlier the same location served as the seat of power for the West Ganga dynasty, then
