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.
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
High in Panama’s central mountains, Boquete occupies a valley shaped by volcanic soil and frequent mist. The town serves as a gateway to landscapes where coffee plantations share space with cloud forests and rushing streams. Travelers who arrive here often find themselves drawn into a slower rhythm defined by early morning walks and the scent
A new AP-NORC poll finds that a larger share of Americans now report extreme heat influencing their travel decisions than was the case two years earlier. The shift appears across multiple aspects of daily life, yet the data on travel behavior stands out for its direct relevance to how people schedule and shape their trips.
Washington Dulles International Airport stands at the threshold of one of the largest infrastructure projects in recent U.S. aviation history. On July 29, officials unveiled a $22.5 billion plan to modernize the facility over the coming decade, accelerating work already outlined in the airport’s master plan. For travelers, the changes promise more space, smoother connections,
American Express cardholders who hold Membership Rewards points have a defined window to move those points into Marriott Bonvoy accounts at an improved rate. The current promotion adds 30 percent to each transfer completed by the September 3, 2026 deadline. For travelers who already plan stays at Marriott properties, the adjustment can translate into additional
Lake Bled draws visitors with its striking arrangement of water, island, and castle, yet the most distinctive experience lies in the quiet customs that shape a visit to the island church. Travelers reach the small landmass by traditional pletna boats, then ascend a historic staircase where a local tradition invites grooms to carry their brides.