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.
Miami – Tropical Storm Genevieve has developed in the Pacific Ocean, a reminder that summer travel along the western edges of North America often unfolds alongside the natural rhythms of the season. The formation comes as many visitors plan journeys to the sunlit shores of Mexico’s Pacific coast and the beaches of Southern California, where
Cruisers planning a Royal Caribbean voyage often weigh the appeal of prepaid beverage plans against the flexibility of paying as they go. These packages aim to simplify decisions around drinks throughout the sailing, from morning coffee to evening cocktails. The choice hinges on personal habits, itinerary details, and how much value each traveler places on
Air India will operate a daily nonstop between Delhi and Toronto beginning August 1, 2026. The carrier is assigning its newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft to the route and introducing premium economy for the first time on this corridor. The change gives travelers a consistent schedule and an additional cabin option on one of the longer
Travelers planning aspirational trips often look to rewards programs to stretch their budgets further. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card currently offers a 100,000-point welcome bonus, one of the strongest incentives available for this card. That offer carries a firm deadline of 9 a.m. EDT on July 30, after which the terms are expected to change.
Airport security is entering a new phase at a handful of U.S. hubs. Three facilities have chosen to participate in TSA Gold+, a voluntary program that brings private contractors into checkpoint operations. The shift reflects ongoing efforts to balance efficiency with federal oversight while travelers continue to navigate busy terminals. What TSA Gold+ Entails The
Travelers have long viewed passports as keys to the world, yet their relative strength can shift over time in ways that quietly reshape itineraries and opportunities. Over the past two decades, the U.S. passport has seen a measurable reduction in the number of destinations accessible without prior visas. At the same time, the United Arab
Detroit prepares for a distinctive summer gathering that pairs fiery flavors with one of the city’s most striking architectural landmarks. The inaugural Detroit Hot Sauce Festival arrives August 1 and 2 at the Masonic Temple, offering visitors a chance to explore bold hot sauces, spicy foods, and lively competitions within the venue’s elegant spaces. This
Matamata sits in New Zealand’s Waikato region, where rolling pastures and gentle hills have long supported sheep farming. On one such property, the Hobbiton Movie Set remains intact years after filming wrapped for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. The structures were never dismantled. Instead, they became permanent features of the working
London holds layers of stories beneath its familiar streets and monuments. Travelers often pass certain corners without realizing the events that once unfolded there. These accounts connect directly to places still visible today, offering a deeper view of the city’s past. Pudding Lane and the Origins of a Citywide Fire Pudding Lane sits in the
Spøttrup, Denmark – In the quiet countryside of northern Denmark, the sturdy walls of Spøttrup Castle have long stood as a reminder of the region’s layered past. This summer, those same grounds welcomed something entirely different: an international gathering of armored competitors from 30 countries, each arriving with swords, axes, and shields to take part
A simple pour of espresso over chilled lemonade has captured attention on social platforms this season, with videos showing the dark layer settling briefly before a stir blends the two. Many viewers assume the combination is a fresh invention born from online creativity. In reality, the drink connects to a much longer story that begins
Record temperatures have intensified wildfire activity across parts of France, Spain, and Italy this summer, leading to the evacuation of roughly 40,000 people from a cherished peninsula in France that draws visitors each year for its coastal beauty and relaxed pace. Similar conditions have affected other popular Mediterranean destinations, creating temporary disruptions for travelers already