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.
Barclays recently introduced the Wyndham Rewards Earner Premier card, a premium option in the Wyndham lineup that carries a $395 annual fee. The move brings a fresh set of benefits to a brand that many travelers encounter only occasionally, yet the card’s design emphasizes flexibility rather than strict loyalty requirements. This approach opens practical possibilities
Travelers evaluating carry-on options often seek backpacks that balance capacity, durability, and ease of use across varied itineraries. The Matador Globerider 35L has emerged as a subject of interest in independent reviews, with one recent hands-on assessment from Indie Traveller offering direct observations from real-world use. Such evaluations help clarify whether a particular model addresses
Travelers often face a familiar challenge when preparing for trips that shift between quick city breaks and longer explorations. Finding a single carry-on that adapts without compromise remains rare. The 2026 edition of the Tortuga Travel Backpack Pro addresses this need through refined construction and thoughtful details that support varied itineraries. Refined Balance in Design
Suriname sits on the northeastern shoulder of South America, bordered by Guyana, French Guiana, and Brazil, yet it remains one of the least-visited nations on the continent for travelers from the United States. Its relative isolation stems in part from historical ties to the Netherlands, a language and cultural orientation that sets it apart from
On July 22, 1926, at Mitchel Field in Garden City on Long Island, Babe Ruth stepped onto the airfield and accomplished something no one had done before. An airplane circled 300 feet overhead and released a baseball. Ruth tracked its descent and made the catch cleanly. The moment captured the imagination of New Yorkers and
Many travelers arrive at security checkpoints with limited time and face the familiar bottleneck of document checks before even reaching the scanners. Clear offers a private service that uses facial or iris recognition to handle identity verification at participating U.S. airports, allowing members to move past that initial step more directly. The program operates at
Travelers frequently depart with clear hopes of renewal, yet many arrive home carrying the same weight they sought to leave behind. The difference often comes down to how the days are shaped before departure. When planning accounts for human limits as much as for attractions, the outcome shifts from depletion to genuine refreshment. Recognizing When
Travelers planning to witness the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles now have a narrow window to position themselves for ticket access. Registration for the second draw must be completed by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. to receive a time slot when sales open. Those who complete the process will join others seeking seats across the
In the heart of Hollywood, a familiar silhouette on Sunset Boulevard is preparing for renewal. Sony Pictures Entertainment announced this week that a two-year restoration and renovation project on the Cinerama Dome will begin next month. The work will return the landmark theater to public use in two years, offering fresh opportunities for film lovers
Martin County gives you the version of Florida many travellers hope still exists: beaches that feel natural, waterways that shape the day, historic towns, conservation lands, and outdoor experiences that ask you to slow down and pay attention. But what stayed with me most was not just the scenery. It was the sense that nature
The closure of Marineland Canada has set in motion a major relocation effort for its beluga population. Thirty whales have completed the journey to two established American facilities, where they are now settling into their new environments. This transition affects the animals directly and shapes how visitors at these institutions will encounter them going forward.
Madrid sits at the center of Spain’s cultural map, and a quiet transformation has unfolded just steps from Puerta del Sol. The city’s first JW Marriott now occupies the restored flagship building of the Álvarez Gómez fragrance house, originally completed in 1899. What began as a center for perfume production and retail has been reimagined