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.
Travelers who hold certain United credit cards often discover meaningful differences in the number of miles required for the same award seats. A recent report from The Points Guy highlights how these cards can unlock lower prices on United-operated flights, sometimes cutting the cost dramatically for long-haul business-class journeys. The benefit stems from expanded access
A traveler planning a simple outing with family recently turned an ordinary $180 purchase into more than 3,800 points and miles by combining several rewards programs on one transaction. The approach relied on careful timing with existing card benefits and two additional tools rather than any new spending. This kind of layering shows how everyday
Air Transat has introduced Staria, a loyalty program designed with group travel in mind. The program is open now and centers on straightforward earning alongside the ability for up to nine people to combine their points into a single balance. This approach reflects a practical response to how many travelers actually plan trips, whether with
Austin, Texas – The September 17, 2026, opening of 1 Hotel Austin marks a notable addition to the city’s evolving downtown, where new high-rises continue to reshape the skyline near the Rainey Street District and Lady Bird Lake. The property sits inside the 74-floor Waterline tower, the tallest building in Texas, and brings the brand’s
Antigua, Guatemala, sits in the shadow of several volcanoes, offering travelers an immediate gateway to dramatic landscapes. Among them, Pacaya stands out for its accessibility, allowing visitors to reach an active volcanic setting and return within a single afternoon. This half-day format suits those building a balanced itinerary around the city’s colonial streets and markets.
Elbow Cay sits among the Abaco Islands in the northern Bahamas, roughly 200 miles northeast of Miami. Travelers reach it by flying into Marsh Harbour on Great Abaco and taking a short passenger ferry across the Sea of Abaco. The crossing offers immediate views of turquoise water and scattered cays that set the tone for
Filipino families mark the approach of Christmas with a nine-night sequence of Masses that begins well before dawn in the Philippines and shifts to evening hours in many places overseas. Simbang Gabi 2026 follows the familiar pattern, with dawn Masses scheduled from December 16 through December 24 and anticipated evening Masses available from December 15
Austin Bergstrom International Airport continues to gain direct connections that matter for travelers seeking the Ozarks. Delta Air Lines will launch nonstop service from Austin to Northwest Arkansas National Airport beginning March 7, 2027, with the return flight starting the following morning. The route operates on an Embraer 175 regional jet flown by SkyWest for
I set out from the Gran Hotel Costa Rica just before 9 a.m., joining people making their way to work on a bustling Monday morning in downtown San José. Staying on the shaded side of the street, I felt comfortable exploring amongst residents beginning their day, although by around 10:30 a.m., the heat was becoming
California’s national parks draw visitors year-round for their granite cliffs, towering sequoias, and clear mountain air. This season, black bears have become more visible along trails and in campgrounds as they prepare for winter. Wildlife officials note that natural feeding patterns, combined with busy visitor seasons, explain the increased activity across Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings
Denver – We Don’t Waste, a local surplus food nonprofit, hosted a two-hour distribution event on Monday that delivered thousands of pounds of potatoes to community members. The potatoes had been headed for a landfill before the organization stepped in to redirect them. The gathering offered a direct example of how surplus food can reach
London draws visitors year after year with its rich museums, vibrant theater district, and layered history that rewards slow exploration. The city remains a worthwhile destination even when costs run high, and many travelers turn to airline miles and hotel points to make extended stays more feasible. Practical redemption strategies can ease the financial pressure
