Helen Hatzis Profile Overview

Helen Hatzis

Helen Hatzis

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.
Large outdoor “LOVE ALASKA” sign in bold white letters set against a backdrop of trees and reflected in a small pond at Pike’s Waterfront Lodge.
 · 3 min read

From Frontier Spirit to Northern Lights: Arriving in Fairbanks

A Warm Alaskan Welcome Fairbanks is a city shaped by resilience, gold, and the great outdoors. Founded in 1901 during Alaska’s gold rush, it quickly became known as the “Golden Heart City”—a nickname that still fits, thanks to the warmth of its people and its role as a gateway to Alaska’s interior. Today, Fairbanks blends […]

A desolate cracked desert floor stretches endlessly under a dark, cloudy sky, with a single dead tree standing starkly on the right side.
 · 4 min read

Desert Retreats: Healing in the Silence of Sand and Sky

In 2025, minimalist landscapes and ancient rituals are redefining luxury—inviting travellers to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with the rhythms of the earth. Forget infinity pools and infinity itineraries. Today’s most transformative wellness escapes are happening far from the coastline, tucked within the world’s arid heartlands. From the shifting dunes of Morocco to the […]

A large red and white text sign that reads "FAN EXPO Canada"
 · 5 min read

Fan Expo Canada: Where Cosplay Builds Community and Belonging

Step into a world where fantasy and reality collide — a safe, creative playground where fans gather, dress as their favourite characters, and celebrate imagination without judgement. The Magic of the Crowd From the moment you enter Toronto’s Metro Convention Centre, the energy is electric. Crowds pour in — families, lifelong fans, and first-time visitors […]

Elegant spa or hotel hallway with soft green curtains draped over an archway, beige armchairs, a decorative mirror, and large windows letting in natural light.
 · 3 min read

The Silent Concierge: How AI Is Quietly Redefining Luxury Travel in 2025

Welcome to a new kind of opulence—one that doesn’t ask for attention, but anticipates your every need before you even speak. There was a time when luxury meant a white-gloved butler or a personal shopping assistant. Today, it’s less about human presence and more about intelligent absence. In 2025, artificial intelligence is transforming high-end travel […]

astrotourism
 · 4 min read

Stargazing Gets Serious: Why Astrotourism is the Travel Trend Bringing Us Back to Wonder

In a time of constant connection and digital saturation, travellers are turning their gaze upward—and finding clarity in the cosmos. While mainstream tourism races to offer faster Wi-Fi and flashier experiences, a quiet movement is unfolding under dark skies. In 2025, astrotourism—travel centred around observing celestial events, constellations, and unpolluted night skies—is becoming a leading […]

visa free travel
 · 4 min read

Visa-Free and Welcome: Top Countries U.S. Travellers Can Visit Without a Visa in 2025

Travel with ease and confidence—no embassy appointments, no long forms, just your passport and a sense of adventure. In an increasingly complex world of travel restrictions, visa applications, and shifting geopolitics, it’s refreshing to know that many countries still warmly welcome U.S. travellers—no paperwork required. Whether you’re seeking culture, coastline, or a culinary journey, these […]

ultimate travel packing list
 · 4 min read

The Ultimate Travel Packing List: What Purposeful Travellers Never Leave Behind

From eco-friendly essentials to sanity-saving hacks, here’s what experienced globetrotters pack to stay prepared, comfortable, and connected—without overpacking. Whether you’re heading out on a soul-searching solo trip or a multigenerational journey with family in tow, packing shouldn’t feel like a puzzle. After decades of travel and fine-tuning the art of packing for purpose-driven adventures, I’ve […]

Ethical zoos and wildlife sanctuaries
 · 5 min read

Wild or Wrong? A Traveller’s Guide to Ethical Zoos and Wildlife Sanctuaries

Discover how to identify truly ethical zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. Learn what accreditations matter, what red flags to avoid, and how cultural and Indigenous values can guide respectful, conservation-minded travel. Look Closely: Are We Helping or Harming? Wild animals have a way of stopping us in our tracks. A silverback gorilla’s gaze, a tiger’s pacing […]

Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway
 · 8 min read

Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway: A Soul-Stirring Tribute to Cuban Legacy

There are musicals that entertain, and then there are those that honour memory, heritage, and the heartbeat of a people. Buena Vista Social Club, now a five-time Tony Award–winning triumph on Broadway, belongs emphatically to the latter. Directed with reverence and rhythm by Saheem Ali, this exuberant and elegiac musical is more than just a […]