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.
Many travelers accumulate hotel loyalty points through routine business trips or everyday spending, yet few realize these rewards can secure stays centered on genuine rest and nervous-system recovery. Properties around the world have expanded their offerings beyond standard rooms to include thoughtful programs that emphasize quiet, nature connection, and evidence-informed practices. Redeeming points at these
The rock ledge sat six meters above a pool so vividly green it seemed painted rather than real. A canyoneering guide stood beside me, counting down while the women I had met only days earlier called encouragement from below. On three I stepped forward, the cold water closing over my head in a shock that
In the immense landscape of Grand Canyon National Park, where layered rock walls stretch for miles under an open sky, an 83-year-old hiker named Guinn stepped into an unplanned overnight stay amid the trails. Search teams worked through the night across the uneven ground until they located him. Emergency medical staff later examined Guinn and
New Zealand’s Māori communities have long understood food as more than sustenance. It carries memory, connection, and a direct link to the land itself. In a country shaped by its position at the edge of the Pacific, these traditions continue to influence how people gather, cook, and share meals today. Roots in the Land Māori
Guadalupe Island sits roughly 150 miles off Mexico’s Baja California coast, a volcanic outpost surrounded by some of the clearest waters in the eastern Pacific. Divers who travel there gain rare access to great white sharks in their natural environment through carefully managed cage diving operations. The setting combines dramatic underwater visibility with a growing
Air travel in the United States follows a remarkably concentrated pattern shaped by the hub-and-spoke model that major carriers have refined over decades. A small number of airports handle the majority of connecting flights, which means many itineraries route through the same facilities regardless of a traveler’s ultimate destination. This structure supports efficient operations for
Many travelers assume hotel credit cards only make sense for frequent guests of one chain. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Credit Card challenges that view with a straightforward structure built around a modest annual fee. Its design delivers meaningful value even when Marriott properties appear just once on an annual itinerary. The card’s combination of an
The recent decisions by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, bring fresh global attention to places where history, myth, and cultural foundations converge. Among the newly inscribed sites are the D-Day landing beaches along France’s Normandy coast, Greece’s Mount Olympus, and the archaeological remains of two early Japanese capitals in Nara Prefecture.
Sepang, Malaysia – Formula 1 will stage its Bahrain Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit on October 4, bringing the series back to the country for the first time since 2017. The move slots the event between the Azerbaijan and Singapore races and still carries the Bahrain Grand Prix name, subject to final approval
Across parts of southwestern France and central Spain, fast-moving wildfires have prompted large-scale evacuations in recent days. Strong winds and high temperatures have complicated containment efforts, drawing firefighters from multiple European countries to assist local teams. For those with trips planned to these regions, understanding the current picture helps support informed decisions while respecting the
Wildfires have led to the evacuation of more than 250,000 people across parts of France and Spain in recent days. Heat waves linked to broader climate patterns have intensified the fires, particularly in southwestern regions popular with international visitors. Travelers with plans in these areas face practical questions about safety, access, and next steps. Regions
New York City – Penn Station stands as one of the nation’s most vital gateways, carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers through its concourses every day. The recent request from the Department of Transportation to consider a new name has placed fresh focus on this landmark at a moment when its physical transformation continues. For
