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.
Across the eastern half of the United States, ruby-throated hummingbirds are quietly preparing for one of the most demanding journeys in the avian world. In Missouri, these tiny travelers have already begun slipping away from backyard feeders and woodland edges, heading toward warmer latitudes as days shorten and nights cool. The movement marks a seasonal
Brookfield, Connecticut, offers one clear example of a wider seasonal tradition. Across roughly a dozen states and two Canadian provinces, twenty farms have shaped large-scale corn mazes in the likeness of Dolly Parton. The designs celebrate her life and direct proceeds to her Imagination Library, which delivers free books to young readers. Artistry in the
Travelers often arrive in Bukhara after hearing stories of its place along ancient trade routes, yet the city reveals itself most fully to those who arrive with open eyes rather than preconceived images. One writer chose to skip online searches before visiting, preferring instead to gather impressions from fellow travelers and locals along a Central
Amsterdam Airport Schiphol will soon welcome its first American Express Centurion Lounge, a 6,000-square-foot space designed with local art and landscapes in mind. The lounge opens to eligible cardholders on September 17 and marks the 33rd location in the global network. Travelers with qualifying American Express cards now gain a dedicated spot between the E
North American airports have spent years reshaping terminals, expanding options, and smoothing the flow of travelers. The latest evidence of that work arrived this week with the release of J.D. Power’s 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study. Overall scores rose across every size category, reflecting steady gains in how passengers experience the airport itself. ([1])
Tashkent greets arriving travelers with a striking sense of the contemporary. A short ride from the airport in a modest taxi reveals wide boulevards, orderly public spaces, and architecture that echoes the refined elegance of certain European capitals. This first impression challenges common assumptions about Uzbekistan and sets the tone for a visit grounded in
Lake Powell continues to draw visitors with its dramatic red-rock canyons and vast blue waters set within Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Recent decisions by federal managers to extend emergency releases from upstream reservoirs reflect ongoing efforts to stabilize levels in this iconic Colorado River reservoir. Travelers planning trips to the area will notice visible
Dana Point Harbor has long drawn visitors for its calm waters and easy coastal pace. One of its most familiar landmarks, Wind & Sea Restaurant, served its final meals on September 15, 2026, after more than five decades in the same waterfront spot. The closure marks the end of a steady presence that shaped countless
Qantas continues to operate its Airbus A380 fleet on long Pacific routes, where the aircraft’s distinctive features still create a memorable journey for travelers crossing between Australia and North America. The double-decker jet, now more than a decade into service on these corridors, offers a business-class cabin that balances comfort with thoughtful touches drawn from
As the leaves begin to turn and travelers map out autumn journeys through the Midwest, a timely note from fuel analysts offers a practical reminder for those behind the wheel. The head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy issued a warning on Tuesday for drivers in four states where conditions could push pump prices higher in
Travelers planning autumn escapes to New England often pack layers for crisp air and changing leaves. Yet this season may bring an extra stretch of mild days that extend opportunities for outdoor enjoyment across the region. The possibility of what meteorologists sometimes call a second summer stems from seasonal patterns that keep coastal waters and
Travelers passing through Seoul’s Incheon International Airport will soon have a new premium option designed specifically for Star Alliance passengers. The alliance has reached an agreement with airport authorities to open its own branded lounge in Terminal 1, ensuring continuity as Asiana Airlines prepares to leave the group later this year. The development reflects Incheon’s
