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.
Airlines continue to adjust their networks in response to regulatory changes and operational realities. United Airlines is moving forward with fresh nonstop service from San Francisco International Airport while placing some planned growth at Chicago O’Hare on hold. These shifts reflect the carrier’s focus on markets where capacity can expand responsibly. New Nonstops Taking Shape
New York City – Travelers who hold Bilt credit cards gained a practical new option this summer when the program made Blade helicopter flights bookable directly in the Bilt app. The change turns accumulated Bilt Cash into a way to bypass ground traffic on routes between Manhattan and the area’s major airports. With only $100
Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills hold a particular pull for those seeking a break from city routines. Club Getaway, long known as a destination for younger visitors, now draws professionals who once approached the experience with hesitation. One former attendee, who arrived at age 12 with little enthusiasm, is making the trip again after fifteen years. The
San Francisco – The De Young Museum will present the exhibition Treasures of the Pharaohs beginning August 1. The show marks the first time these artifacts appear in the United States and continues through January 31, 2027. Visitors gain a direct encounter with objects tied to ancient Egyptian royal history during this limited window. Timeline
Families planning air travel often assume every major carrier offers structured support for minors flying solo. Allegiant Air follows a different approach that requires advance planning. Parents booking flights for children need to understand the airline’s age-based requirements before purchasing tickets. Core Policy Details Allegiant Air does not provide unaccompanied minor services or special supervision
Erika Mathews has long carried a particular affection for Disney stories, one that began when she was four years old. That early connection shaped how she approached an unused room in her home, turning it into a space that reflects the same sense of wonder she first encountered in those classic tales. The project grew
Big Sur, California – The Timber fire has once again reminded residents and business owners along this stretch of the California coast how deeply they value the place they call home. For those whose livelihoods depend on welcoming visitors to its cliffs, redwoods, and shoreline, each challenge becomes another chapter in a long story of
Panama offers travelers far more than its world-famous waterway. The country’s blend of Caribbean and Pacific coastlines, highland forests, and living Indigenous cultures creates a destination that rewards slow, respectful exploration. Many visitors arrive expecting only the canal yet leave with a deeper appreciation for a nation that remains one of Central America’s best-kept secrets.
US Bank has added airline and hotel transfer partners to the Altitude Reserve Visa Infinite card for the first time. The move fulfills a long-standing promise after the card’s benefits were adjusted in recent years. Cardholders who retained the product now gain new options for converting points into flights and stays. The New Partners and
On August 12, 2026, the only total solar eclipse of the year moved across the Northern Hemisphere. Its narrow path of totality brought a sudden, striking twilight to select stretches of Greenland, Iceland, and northern Spain. Observers who positioned themselves along that corridor experienced a shared moment of quiet awe as daylight gave way to
Spain – On a clear Wednesday evening, millions of travelers and locals converged on towns and cities across the northern and central regions to witness the country’s first total solar eclipse in more than a century. The event transformed ordinary summer days into something far more memorable, as people sought out clear skies and open
Travelers and residents across the northern reaches of the United States have a quiet window today to pause and watch the moon pass in front of the sun. The partial solar eclipse unfolds on August 12, 2026, offering a gentle reminder of how celestial rhythms intersect with everyday journeys. In Alaska the coverage reaches its