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.
United Airlines is expanding access to its newest long-haul aircraft from its Houston hub this fall. The carrier will place Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners configured with its latest interior on several international routes beginning in late October. Travelers on these flights will encounter refreshed cabins that place greater emphasis on premium seating options. The Aircraft Configuration
The U.S. Department of Transportation is reviewing long-standing rules that shape the first price a traveler sees when searching for flights. These regulations, put in place more than a decade ago, require airlines to show the full cost – including base fare, taxes, and mandatory fees – right away. Any revisions could influence how easily
Hawaii draws families year after year with its varied islands and gentle pace, yet the difference between a smooth journey and one filled with avoidable friction often comes down to when families choose to travel. The state welcomed nearly 10 million visitors in 2025, underscoring its enduring appeal across generations. Thoughtful timing around seasons, inter-island
Buenos Aires has long carried the memory of the South Atlantic islands known locally as the Malvinas. A single hand-painted banner unfurled during a World Cup semifinal has now carried that memory into everyday life for a younger generation. The result is a fresh wave of cultural attention that reaches far beyond the stadium. The
France’s Seine River winds through centuries of history, and few vessels offer a more considered way to trace its course than Tauck’s ms Serene. The ship recently welcomed Travel + Leisure aboard for the debut episode of its “Step Inside” series, filmed during the Rendezvous on the Seine itinerary. The resulting footage highlights the quiet
Effective Aug. 15, 2026, Chase Sapphire Lounges will no longer participate in the Priority Pass or LoungeKey networks. This marks a clear shift after years of steady expansion that brought these distinctive airport spaces to more travelers across the country. At the same time, the issuer is introducing a targeted improvement for its own cardholders
Many travelers carry cards that quietly open doors to smoother journeys, yet few pause to explore the full range of benefits attached to their wallets. For holders of select Canadian-issued Visa cards, the Visa Destinations program supplies concrete conveniences that support more fluid movement through airports, cities, and cultural landmarks. These advantages center on reliable
Hiroshima continues to offer new layers of understanding long after 1945. An international research team recently identified a previously unknown alloy while studying tiny glassy particles collected from the region. The finding emerged from careful examination of fallout material and adds a scientific dimension to the city’s well-known sites of remembrance. Tracing the Discovery in
California’s 2025 grape harvest reached its lowest level in three decades, a development that has placed immediate pressure on small and mid-size wineries across the state. Industry observers note that hundreds of additional operations could close within the next two years if current conditions persist. The situation stems from a combination of reduced yields, shifting
Rockaway Beach has long drawn New Yorkers and visitors alike for its wide sands and reliable surf, yet this summer the waters just beyond the breakers have drawn fresh attention from city agencies. Between July 1 and July 5, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation recorded 16 shark sightings in the area,
Travelers searching for vacation homes often discover promising options through social media posts that promise attractive rates and immediate availability. This approach can lead to financial setbacks when the listings turn out to be fabricated. Recent reports highlight cases where individuals lost thousands of dollars after sending deposits for properties that never existed. The Growing
In an Australian public library, a volume devoted to Greek antiquities has quietly resumed its place on the shelves after an absence of roughly 150 years. The book carries visible traces of its long concealment, including water damage sustained while sealed behind bricks in a fireplace. Its return draws attention to the patient ways institutions