Our Team

Welcome to Sunshine Journeys!

We are based in Lynchburg, VA, and have the backing of an international network of tour operators, cruise lines and resorts to get you the most expert advice and best vacation experience ever. Our experience and commitment to customer satisfaction has earned us a solid reputation with our clients.

To learn more about each of us, please scroll down and read about Jennifer, John, Teresa, Christy, Anissa, and Brenda. Check us out and then contact us. We can't wait to help you create your own Sunshine Journey!

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JENNIFER McFADEN

Owner/Travel Advisor

I began my career in travel at the age of 11 when my family moved from Texas to Virginia. I didn’t know then that I was starting a career; only that I was completely in love with going new places and seeing new things. My family vacationed a lot. It started out with trips in the U.S. and grew into trips to Europe. Everywhere we went, we met amazing people and ate incredible food. I was hooked! 

After marrying my husband, he quickly realized we weren’t going to sit at home very much. We’ve been in places where all five of your senses come alive. We’ve felt the rumble of Volcan Arenal in Costa Rica, heard the calving of glaciers in Alaska, seen a herd of sheep stop traffic in Scotland, tasted poi at a luau in Hawaii, and been lured by the aroma of meat patties all over the Caribbean. 

Since experiencing all these things, I finally decided that I needed to turn this passionate hobby of mine into a career. I realized that once you travel, you have the tools to help others go where you’ve been, so here I am. I am a Platinum Certified Sandals Specialist, a Destination Wedding Specialist, a Globus/Cosmos/Monograms Certified Planner and a River Cruise Specialist.

I’ve been all over the U.S. including Alaska & Hawaii, to Costa Rica, Belize, Mexico, Iceland, Scotland, Iceland, nearly a dozen islands in the Caribbean & numerous countries in Europe. I am ready to share my experiences with you and help you find your perfect Sunshine Journey!

Email: jennifer@sunshinejourneys.com

Phone: 434-420-5544

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JOHN FALLEN

Travel Advisor

At a young age, my family made sure to take me new places and experience new things. As I grew older and started a family I continued this tradition. This tradition became a passion that I never knew existed until after traveling on my honeymoon. After that, family and friends took notice on our travels and would frequently ask us to help them on their trips. This is how I got started with Sunshine Journeys.

I am married to my amazing wife Kristen and have two wild and adorable sons Luke and Levi. When I am not creating unforgettable trips for people you can find me working in the back of an ambulance as a paramedic.

All you need to do now is contact me, then sit back, relax and let me put together your unforgettable Sunshine Journey.  

Email: john@sunshinejourneys.com

Phone: 434-568-0977

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TERESA WIGGINS

Travel Advisor

My love of travel began with an absolute need to experience new things.  I grew up in beautiful St.Petersburg, Florida on the Gulf of Mexico. St. Pete Beach is consistently rated in the top 10 beaches in the United States, and for good reason.  My daily normal included white sugar sand and over-the-water sunsets, not to mention the best local seafood.  I grew up where other people vacation.

That means that when my travel bucket list started growing, I didn't just want to lay on a beach.  Of course, there's always time for a day at the beach, but I craved something new and out of my comfort zone!  My adventures so far have taken me zip-lining thorugh the rain forests of Costa Rica, touring professional sports stadiums in Europe, rebuilding houses in the 9th Ward of New Orleans, and line dancing in Tennessee.  I've eaten gallo pinto on a family's patio while chickens roamed, Jamaican patties from a street cart, and conch from a literal hole in a wall just because the locals said try it.  Every trip has been unique and taught me something new about this beautiful world we live in. 

I have been blessed to be able to experience many new things and I want to share that with others. Whether you plan to visit the gorgeous sugar sands of my home state, or want to wander the world outside our continential borders, let me help you get there. Every person's bucket list looks different and I want to hear yours! Let me help you build some memories and check one more location of your list!

Email: teresa@sunshinejourneys.com

Phone: 727-239-3287

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CHRISTY RICE

Travel Advisor

Growing up I had the opportunity to take road trips with my family to Colorado, Yellowstone National Park and various places throughout the Midwest. After moving to the East Coast I have hiked throughout the Blue Ridge Mountains in both Virginia and North Carolina, climbed the light houses of the Outer Banks, visited our Nation's Capital and various monuments and memorials in Washington, D.C, and toured Savannah during the annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration. 

Prior to meeting my husband and settling down in Virginia I was working as a full-time physical therapist. I took a position as a traveling physical therapist for a year, which allowed me to explore the coastline of Georgia, including St. Simons Island, Jekyll Island, and Cumberland Island. During that time I was fortunate enough to experience Walt Disney World for the first time with my sister and her two children after they were granted a trip through the Make A Wish Foundation. After my husband and I got married Sunshine Journeys helped us plan our honeymoon to Hawaii in 2018. It was after that trip that I decided to take my love for travel and turn it into a career as a travel planner. 

Since joining Sunshine Journeys I have focused primarily on U.S. destinations, including Hawaii, Alaska, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  While I am not limited to planning just U.S. destinations, I love that there are so many unique attractions and national parks right here in our backyard! I have become a Hawaii Destination Specialist, an American Queen Steamboat Academy Certified Agent, and a Rocky Mountaineer Specialist. I love learning about new locations and what they have to offer, and am always adding to my bucket list of places to go! I have been fortunate enough to cross locations off of my list, and want to help you do the same! Let’s make your travel dreams a reality.

Email: christy@sunshinejourneys.com

Phone: 563-940-4758

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ANISSA MONTGOMERY

Travel Advisor

Growing up always traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC, in the summer, I knew I wanted to travel and see more of what this world had to offer. We traveled some as a family, but it was always domestic, and I knew I wanted to see more.  After meeting my husband, we started traveling to Cancun, Bermuda, taking cruises, and traveling to many cities in the U.S.

My love for providing travel plans for others began years ago when family and friends started reaching out to me for assistance in planning their vacations. It was then that I decided to take my passion for travel and become a travel planner.

Joining Sunshine Journeys has allowed me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of becoming a travel planner and creating dream vacations for clients, family and friends.  I would love the opportunity to plan your next dream vacation whether it be a cruise, Disney, a trip to Mexico or the Caribbean, or just a getaway to the beaches here in the U.S.

anissa@sunshinejourneys.com

615-668-0458

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BRENDA SAILORS

Travel Advisor

I love experiencing new things – people, places and adventures - it all makes life so exciting! When I was a kid, we didn’t do much traveling; but, since I’m from Canada and my folks were from Newfoundland, I was fortunate to be able to travel there. We also got to head up to North Bay area in Ontario for family vacations – the area was just beautiful wilderness with pristine lakes and great fishing!

One of my first trips after moving to the U.S. was a Western Caribbean cruise. I was hooked! The beautiful clear water, constant warm breezes and amazing scenery had me coming back year after year. Since then I’ve been on many cruises and stayed at various all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean & Mexico, always having a fabulous time. Australia was another one of my favorite destinations, a place I had dreamed of visiting since I was little. The beaches are perfect, and the water is crystal clear. You see the surfers out there having fun, riding the waves, and if you’re lucky you might see a kangaroo or koala in your travels.

I found that travel was something I love to share with others, so I decided to become an advisor and help others realize their travel dreams. This world is an awesome place and should be experienced! I’d love to be able to help plan your next adventure whether it be a little getaway or the whole gang going somewhere amazing to live it up! There’s no time like the present!

brenda@sunshinejourneys.com

574-725-5104