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.
Travelers planning a visit to Joshua Tree National Park now have a new way to book a distinctive desert stay. RESET Hotel in Twentynine Palms has joined Marriott Bonvoy’s Outdoor Collection, making its rooms available for points redemption for the first time. The addition marks the first new property welcomed into the collection since its
Delta Air Lines has adjusted its long-running partnership with Starbucks, returning to a straightforward rewards structure that many frequent flyers will recognize. Beginning August 5, 2026, SkyMiles members will earn one mile for every dollar spent on qualifying purchases at participating Starbucks locations. The move reverses a tiered system that had been in place for
Planning a trip often involves weighing loyalty program options, yet some properties participate in more than one major network. This overlap creates opportunities for travelers to select the redemption path that best matches their points balances, elite status, and preferred perks. The Vintage Lisbon illustrates the approach in practice, as the property appears in both
Vietnam’s tourism sector has expanded rapidly in recent years, with operators increasingly promoting experiences under the ecotourism banner to meet growing traveler interest in responsible journeys. This surge brings both opportunity and complexity, as the distinction between marketing claims and on-the-ground practices shapes outcomes for local communities, ecosystems, and visitors alike. Travelers who seek out
Backyards across the United States may hold conservation value comparable to that of formally protected lands, according to environmental policy expert Bridget Washburn. This perspective reframes ordinary residential spaces as meaningful contributors to wildlife habitat and ecological balance. It invites homeowners and travelers alike to consider how daily surroundings intersect with larger efforts to sustain
Orlando draws millions of visitors each year from across the globe, yet many residents of Florida and Georgia treat the city as a distant prospect rather than a nearby option. A short drive changes that equation, turning a weekend into a genuine break from routine. Proximity removes the pressure of packed itineraries and high travel
La Jolla Cove draws visitors year-round with its dramatic sandstone cliffs and the lively colony of California sea lions that haul out along the shoreline. Recent news of a federal investigation into an alleged interaction at the site has renewed attention on the strong legal safeguards that protect these marine mammals. The National Oceanic and
Miami – Hurricane Genevieve reached Category 5 strength early Monday, marking the first such storm in the eastern Pacific in two years. Forecasters at the National Hurricane Center reported maximum sustained winds of 160 mph as the system tracked well offshore. Its path runs roughly parallel to Mexico’s coastline, and current projections show no landfall
Sequoia National Park draws visitors from around the world to stand in the presence of its ancient giant sequoias, and the short path to the General Sherman Tree remains one of its most accessible and popular routes. Earlier this week, authorities responded to a medical emergency reported along the one-mile trail, underscoring how even well-traveled
Colorado maintains an extensive network of protected lands that support outdoor recreation across varied terrain. A recently opened site south of Denver now adds a canyon setting to the options available to visitors, featuring steep rock walls and distinctive formations that shape the landscape. This addition expands public access in a region already known for
Travelers who already carry the Chase Sapphire Reserve often assume they cannot pursue another premium Sapphire welcome offer. In practice, many remain eligible for the current 100,000-point bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred, provided they have never held that card as primary account holder or earned its welcome bonus before. The promotion requires $5,000 in
Lake Tahoe – Nevada wildlife officials have introduced a distinctive fur-covered solution designed to support safer coexistence between residents, visitors, and the region’s black bear population. The initiative reflects a measured response to increasing bear activity in one of the country’s most visited mountain-lake destinations. It underscores a broader commitment to balancing human enjoyment of