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.
A grandfather visiting Yellowstone National Park with his grandson followed every posted guideline and still ended up in surgery after a bison charged without warning. The incident shows how even measured behavior near wild animals can shift quickly when phones and proximity enter the picture. Travelers drawn to these moments often underestimate how small choices
Travelers planning future trips have a narrow window to consider the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card’s current welcome offer. Chase has confirmed that the limited-time promotion awarding 100,000 bonus points will end soon, though no precise cutoff date has been announced. This marks only the third time in the card’s history that the bonus has reached
Mostar’s Old Bridge stands as a quiet testament to careful reconstruction and enduring connection. Completed in the sixteenth century, destroyed in conflict, and painstakingly rebuilt with traditional methods, the structure now draws travelers into a compact journey across Bosnia and Herzegovina. The five-day route moves from the stone lanes of Mostar through dramatic river canyons
Honolulu – Travelers bound for long Pacific crossings sometimes receive an unexpected invitation at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. Instead of entering the main Plumeria Lounge, a small number of passengers are quietly redirected to a separate, invitation-only space known as the Plumeria Loft. The setting offers a calm interlude before departure, with access granted
Boston – The waters of Boston Harbor continue to draw visitors seeking a measured pace and a direct connection to New England’s maritime heritage. Recent travel developments in the region provide additional context for planning a weekend there, including recognition for several hotels and expanded access to cultural sites. These elements together create timely reasons
Paramaribo sits on the northern edge of South America as the capital of Suriname, a place that rarely surfaces in travel conversations among visitors from the United States. Travelers who arrive from neighboring Brazil often expect a brief stopover, yet many find themselves drawn into a city whose layered identity feels distinct from other capitals
International arrivals in the United States often involve a sequence of steps that can extend layovers well beyond the scheduled connection time. Passengers must navigate passport control, retrieve checked luggage, recheck bags, and clear security once more before boarding a domestic flight. Two pilot programs developed by the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and
JetBlue is reallocating capacity across its network to support stronger operations at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The airline has identified several underperforming routes for discontinuation while accelerating growth at its emerging Florida base. This measured adjustment aligns with broader efforts to improve efficiency and profitability. Strategic Focus on Fort Lauderdale Fort Lauderdale has emerged as
Lisbon’s newest luxury property opened its doors in March inside a restored former bank building in the heart of the Baixa district. The debut marks the Andaz brand’s first venture in Portugal and brings together thoughtful design, local artistry, and everyday Portuguese hospitality. Guests arrive to a setting that feels both rooted in the neighborhood’s
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport welcomes a new Chase Sapphire Lounge that opens today, July 16, 2026. The 18,000-square-foot facility occupies a split-level space above the concourse near gate D25 and introduces the first dedicated whiskey lounge in the entire Sapphire network. Travelers now have access to guided tastings of Texas whiskeys, locally inspired cocktails,
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor an area of low pressure that could influence weather patterns across Florida in the coming days. Travelers with plans in the region are watching developments closely as the system evolves. This situation offers a timely reminder of the value of flexible itineraries and reliable information sources during summer
Travelers today often feel the pull of a short escape from routine, yet rising cash fares can make even a brief trip seem out of reach. Points and miles offer a practical path forward, turning accumulated rewards into real experiences without straining household budgets. This strategy rewards thoughtful planning and a willingness to adapt, allowing