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.
 · 2 min read

Lake Ontario Receives a New Official Name: Lake America

An executive order has directed federal agencies to update official records for one of the continent’s major inland waters. The directive instructs the Interior Department to revise entries in the Geographic Names Information System, establishing Lake America as the formal designation in place of Lake Ontario. Travelers, mapmakers, and local communities will encounter the updated

 · 2 min read

Lake Ontario Receives a New U.S. Designation as Lake America

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Thursday that updates the name of Lake Ontario to “Lake America” within the United States geographic naming service. The change applies only on the American side of the border and does not alter how the lake is identified in Canada or on international maps. This development follows

 · 3 min read

Gift Cards Turn $304 Dinner Into $4 Abroad

Living in Spain for the past year has meant limited time back in the United States, yet restaurant statement credits on premium cards like the American Express Platinum and Chase Sapphire Reserve still require U.S. purchases to activate. A traveler who splits time between Europe and occasional Austin visits found a practical workaround that preserves

 · 2 min read

United Airlines Adds Five New European Routes with Its Airbus A321XLR

United Airlines will introduce its Airbus A321XLR on transatlantic flights beginning December 1 from Dulles International Airport to Dublin and Amsterdam. The narrowbody aircraft brings extended range to routes that previously required larger jets or connections. This deployment marks a practical step in the carrier’s network growth, allowing service to secondary European cities that lack

 · 3 min read

American Airlines to Serve Vienna, Reykjavik, Porto Nonstop in 2027

American Airlines has outlined a measured expansion of its international network for the summer 2027 season, adding three entirely new European destinations alongside four additional routes that build on existing city pairs. The carrier announced seven new international services in total, with Vienna, Reykjavik, and Porto representing the fresh gateways for travelers seeking direct connections

 · 2 min read

Deputy AG Survives Six Days Lost on Wyoming Hike

Missouri Deputy Attorney General Shaun Mackelprang was located alive six days after disappearing during a backcountry hike in Wyoming’s remote wilderness. The discovery brought relief to colleagues and family members who had followed the search closely. Details of the incident underscore the challenges of travel in vast, undeveloped terrain where conditions can shift quickly. The

 · 3 min read

Nauyaca Waterfalls From Uvita

Costa Rica’s Pacific coast holds many natural draws, yet Nauyaca Waterfalls stand apart for their quiet presence rather than sheer scale. Travelers based in Uvita often seek this twin cascade for its clear pools, surrounding rainforest, and the calm that settles in during early hours. Reaching the site requires planning, yet the options remain straightforward

 · 2 min read

Orange County Launches E-Bike Gift Card Buyback

Orange County, California, is introducing a new program that invites residents to turn in e-bikes and e-motorcycles in exchange for gift cards. The initiative, set for September, draws directly from established gun buyback models used by police departments nationwide. Visitors who enjoy renting these vehicles to explore the county’s popular beach communities will want to

 · 2 min read

65 Americans Missing After Nepal Glacier Floods

Along the Nepal-China border, flash flooding and mud flows have left hundreds of people missing, including 65 Americans, in a region popular with trekkers from the United States. The event appears linked to a glacial collapse, according to early reports, and search operations continue amid challenging terrain. This development carries direct implications for American travelers

 · 3 min read

Italy's Signal Gaps Make eSIMs Essential

Italy presents a striking contrast between its advanced digital infrastructure and the real-world connectivity hurdles travelers encounter in historic centers and rural landscapes. Thick stone walls in places like Rome and Naples, combined with winding mountain roads along the Amalfi Coast and stretches through Tuscany, often disrupt service in ways that surprise first-time visitors. An

 · 3 min read

United Airlines to Restore Its Rare Nonstop to Greenland in 2027

United Airlines has confirmed plans to resume a distinctive nonstop service to Greenland next year, part of a wider decision to bring back every seasonal international route the carrier operated during the summer of 2026. The announcement underscores a continued emphasis on connecting travelers with less frequently served destinations while expanding options across southern Europe.