Jill with Pickles Vacations

24/11/2022

A thankful heart is a happy heart! Happy Thanksgiving to all of our wonderful clients!

26/10/2022

Planning your own vacation can be downright scary. Don’t get spooked by everything that goes into it! We can make all those fears go away so give us a call to alleviate your fears this holiday season.

30/09/2022

While Icelandic locals don’t live in turf houses anymore, there are some great museums, like Skogar on the South coast or Glaumbaer in Skagafjordur North Iceland, that reveal how Viking homes were built and maintained. It is worth the time on your visit to see these homes and gain insight to how Vikings lived so long ago.

If you’d like to experience the viking homes for yourself, don’t wait! Send me a message today and let’s get to see how a viking lived!

26/09/2022

More than 20 square miles of National Park in the USVI are underwater! We can help plan an excursion out along the underwater trail, to explore some of the best snorkeling or scuba diving in the Caribbean!

Contact me today and let’s get you into some scuba gear in the USVI!

21/09/2022

𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙫𝙚𝙡 𝙏𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙙𝙖𝙮 🏝

I had the opportunity to visit 𝘔𝘢𝘫𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤 𝘌𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘰𝘳𝘵
Which sits just north of Cancun !

This is a family friendly resort that has an adults only area called •Elegance Club•

Need to book last minute plans to get away for the holidays?

Have you started thinking about spring break?

Deposits can be as low as $50 per person depending on the deal at the time of booking!!

Hit me up today 🤗🤗🤗

08/09/2022

New Zealand has very strong Māori roots which are still honored throughout the country. The Auckland Art Gallery is no exception starting with its name. Toi o Tāmaki is a Māori phrase that means the art of Auckland in English. Learning about Māori and Toi o Tāmaki as you visit New Zealand will make your time and memories much richer. Take that approach to any destination, and you’re sure to have an amazing time!

What’s the best museum you’ve ever visited on a trip?

04/09/2022

We did it!

For the second year in a row (!!!), we've won the Living Magazine's Reader's Choice Award for best Travel Agency in the Richardson/Murphy, Frisco/Plano, McKinney/Allen, and Prosper/Celina area.

Thank you so much to everyone who voted! We appreciate all your continued support, and we can't wait to keep traveling with you.

05/08/2022

It’s time to go back to school! That means pencils, books, backpacks, and lunches. Exhausted just thinking about it? Then it might just be time to start thinking about your next getaway!

Don’t worry - we’ve got you covered. Focus up on your school planning and make sure that you and your kids have the easiest transition into the school year. We’ll take care of all the planning for your vacation afterwards!

What’s your perfect summer vacation for 2023?

27/07/2022

Narrow, 620 curves and 59 bridges. That’s the Road to Hana. Best to get a head start and spend the day. If doing so, the drive can take 10 to 12 hours. So, be sure to allocate time for stops. Along the way enjoy the absolute beauty of nature, the colors, the smells, the waterfalls, the plush greens, and the incredible vistas.

Have you ever experienced the Hana Highway?

11/07/2022

The “Dog Days” of summer run from July 3 to August 11. They are named for a star in the Canis Major constellation called Sirius. The Greeks believed it was Sirius who was responsible for the heat of summer.

What’s your favorite part of summer?

04/07/2022

Happy 4th of July! Today we celebrate you, America!

28/06/2022

From colorful boats to colorful fish, Treasure Beach is an off-the-beaten-path area in Jamaica with a 200-year fishing village history. Its beautiful location has resisted big resort development but is becoming a must-visit destination.

What’s your favorite place in the Caribbean?

10/06/2022

Yesssssss!!!!!!!!!

🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨

As of this Sunday …..

No more testing to enter back into the USA 🤗

One of the many articles confirming this is in the comments 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽

03/06/2022

Over 28 million people take to the sea and enjoy a cruise vacation each year. Cruising is one of the most popular forms of travel, and if you’ve never been, it’s absolutely something that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Are you ready to join them? If so, I would love to help! Send me a message and let’s get you on the Lido deck!

03/06/2022

Looking to learn a little bit more about our CEO who started Pickles Vacations and Pickles Travel Network? Ever been interested in working in travel yourself? Read a bit about how Pickles Travel Network can help your travel business from our very own Stephanie Pickles! https://bit.ly/3GDnbKt

22/05/2022

The Icelandic horse is the only horse bred on this island country. They were developed by Norse settlers from ponies during the 9th and 10th centuries and they’re so protected that if one of them ever leaves the country, it can never return.

Here’s the really cool part - Icelandic horses are a unique breed that can survive the varying climates of Iceland and have five different gaits. One of the most impressive is the tölt, which is so smooth that you can sit with a full glass of water and it won’t spill. Some of the horses are even able to keep this smooth gait at speeds of up to 30 mph!

16/05/2022

What’s the most incredible thing about all-inclusive resorts? It’s the all-inclusive part of course!

I’ve had a lot of people ask me how inclusive these resorts are. Let me dispel any notions right now - when you’re here, you’re treated like royalty. Would you like to relax on a beach with 7 different colored drinks while watching the sun glitter on the gently lapping waves? You can do that! From adult only luxury experiences to family friendly resorts with water parks or dolphinariums, there is a resort for everyone.

Let me make this magic happen for you. Send me a message and let’s get together to discuss your all-inclusive adventure!

04/05/2022

Here’s something that’ll brighten up your day. Alaska is called the “Land of the Midnight Sun” for a reason. In Barrow, Alaska, up at the very tip-top of the state, the sun doesn’t set for almost two and a half months!

Would you want to visit Alaska in the middle of summer?

02/05/2022

Happy May Day everyone! On this beautiful first day of summer, we celebrate the pineapple, which is a symbol for hospitality, warmth, and welcome. Plus it’s an excellent snack to help beat that heat that’s sure to come.

What’s your favorite summertime snack?

26/04/2022

𝘛𝘳𝘢𝘷𝘦𝘭 𝘛𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘥𝘢𝘺

Oh Mother Nature.….. IE sargassum 🍃

It can change overnight. You can be playing in clear water. A storm off shore nearby and a current shift and you can wake up to a shoreline full of sargassum.

It has started even earlier this year. Currently it is sporadic depending on where the resort is along the Riviera Maya.
But come summer… it will be more consistent.

This is why it’s important to be in the know and work with a travel advisor 💁🏽‍♀️

We will help navigate as best we can to put you in an area that may not get hit as much or guide you into a different destination if you are a beach bum like me ☀️

At the end of the day.
We can’t control Mama Nature.

30/03/2022

THE MOST EXPENSIVE TRAVEL MISTAKE I SEE PEOPLE MAKE 👇

Not purchasing travel insurance. Travel Insurance has always been recommended, but before you could get away without spending the extra money. Now, it’s desperately needed in the midst of a global pandemic and is something that you can’t do without. Trust me, spending some time to do a bit of research into the best travel insurance companies around can save you the entire cost of the trip should something happen!

28/03/2022

Did you know that Machu Picchu was built with a technique called ashlar, wherein the buildings were constructed without mortar? Instead, the rocks were cut to fit together so seamlessly that not even a knife blade could get between them! If you’d love to see this architectural marvel for yourself, then maybe a peruvian adventure is in your future!

25/03/2022

What’s your best bet to a smooth first post-pandemic romantic getaway? It’s working with me! Seriously, so many of my first-time clients used to try navigating the crazy waters of endless all-inclusives that all look the same on their own. And things are a little bit more complicated in light of this pandemic. When we work together on your trip, you can expect expert advice in all things all-inclusive. So let’s rock this boat a little bit shall we? Head to the link in my bio to book your complimentary vacation consultation with me so your couples trip can be smooth sailing!

23/03/2022

Let’s be honest, trying to pick a place the whole family will enjoy for summer vacation isn’t as easy as it seems, especially in times like these! Here’s what I suggest: when you’re traveling with the kids, keep both your activities and your baggage light. Don’t load yourself down with a packed schedule. Focus on popular destinations, which are more-likely to have kid-friendly hotels. Finally, invest in travel insurance. It’s never been more important to add that to your trip and you won’t regret it if something happens.

I hope this helps! And if you could use a second pair of hands to help plan a trip the family will rave about, I’m here to help.

#

23/03/2022

23/03/2022

𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 🌴✈️

Still don’t want to deal with entry/exit protocols but want an all-inclusive for the family.

The ONLY family friendly one here in the USA 👇🏽

21/03/2022

Like the monarch butterfly, it’s easy to revisit the familiar year over year - and that’s okay! But we’re here to encourage you to spread your travel wings. A new adventure and place can feed the soul, provide amazing memories, and stoke that adventurous spirit. Don’t let the butterflies in your stomach talk you out of an amazing vacation!

20/03/2022

Today is the International Day of Happiness, and I think we’re all due some. Covid has been looming over our heads for 2 years, affecting our lives and those of our loved ones. So today, find something that allows you to smile and be happy. Look for the joy in the little things, or feel the excitement in an upcoming vacation. Do something that makes you happy today - you deserve it.

18/03/2022

Travel can be hectic, can’t it? Before you can get to the good part (sipping margs from a beach lounger in the Caribbean or eating your way through food stalls in Thailand), you have to get through the chaos of booking accommodations, flights, and packing and repacking for the whole family while you try to find someone willing to water your plants and watch the cat for 2 weeks. Not to say anything about the extra precautions during Covid! This is your friendly reminder that you don’t have to do it all on your own. I can help with navigating travel protocols, choosing the safest/best resorts, and everything in between so you can start planning what you want to eat and drink first.

The process starts by heading to the link in my bio or by sending me a message to book your complimentary vacation consultation for us to chat. Are you in?

17/03/2022

Here’s a little Ireland tidbit on St. Patrick’s Day for you - Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is the longest coastal driving road in the world at over 2,500km (1500+ miles) long! The twisting, beautiful road is an incredible scenic experience that has something new around every corner. Plus, it’s an incredible adventure to take around St. Patrick’s Day!

16/03/2022

There’s one thing I think is totally underrated in the travel planning process and it’s peace of mind. When you’re planning a couples getaway, you get caught up in the beautiful resort you’ll stay at, that amazing couples massage you want to book, or all the places you’re looking forward to eating at. But peace of mind? You don’t really think about it, but it’s so necessary when it comes to travel these days! When my clients travel they have the assurance that the places they’ll stay and the tours they’ll take have been vetted by a pro and that I’m here to help before, during, and after their trip. Let me give you some peace of mind today - drop your questions about travel below and I’ll answer!

15/03/2022

It's the the last day!

Today is the final day for the Living Magazine's Best of 2022 competition. Thank you so much for all of your support so far! If you haven't had a chance to vote for us as the best Travel Agency in Plano, now is your last chance - and it only takes a few moments!

- Visit this link: https://ecs.page.link/786hk
- Scroll down, and under 'North Texas' on the left side, click on Frisco/Plano.
- Enter your Full Name, Zip Code, and Email Address
- On the next page, under 'Select Industry', choose Professional Services.
- On the next page with the categories list, scroll all the way down to the bottom. In the 'Travel Agent' box, write/copy Pickles Vacations.
- Click through to the last page until you see 'Thank you for voting in the 2022 Best Of Readers' Choice!'
- That's it, you're done!

If you have the time, and because you love us so much, you can also vote for us in the categories McKinney/Allen and Prosper/Celina.

Thank you so much for taking the time to vote for us! Here's to a long future of amazing travel!

14/03/2022

We're in the homestretch!

We have two days left for the Living Magazine's Best of 2022 competition. Thank you so much for all of your support so far! If you haven't had a chance to vote for us as the best Travel Agency in Plano, now is your last chance - and it only takes a few moments!

- Visit this link: https://ecs.page.link/786hk
- Scroll down, and under 'North Texas' on the left side, click on Frisco/Plano.
- Enter your Full Name, Zip Code, and Email Address
- On the next page, under 'Select Industry', choose Professional Services.
- On the next page with the categories list, scroll all the way down to the bottom. In the 'Travel Agent' box, write/copy Pickles Vacations.
- Click through to the last page until you see 'Thank you for voting in the 2022 Best Of Readers' Choice!'
- That's it, you're done!

If you have the time, and because you love us so much, you can also vote for us in the categories McKinney/Allen and Prosper/Celina.

Thank you so much for taking the time to vote for us! Here's to a long future of amazing travel!

14/03/2022

Spring is a very popular time of year to travel, what with school breaks and all. For future planning purposes, we suggest planning well in advance. We like to say six to nine months before travel; it’ll help ensure the best pricing and availability! However, if you missed that window you can still travel. Need some spring travel assistance? Send me a message!

11/03/2022

*Ring* ☎️ Future you is calling and they say it’s time to plan now for the couples trip you want to take this year or next. Demand is high right now and reservations are coming in fast. My best advice? Get your trip in the books before prices skyrocket and the resort you dream of gets all booked up. Are you ready to answer the call? Head to the link in my bio or send me a message to get this train rolling!

10/03/2022

We're almost done!

This is the last full week left in the Living Magazine's Best of 2022 competition. We're looking to secure our spot as the best Travel Agency in Plano - and you can help make that happen in just a few moments by voting for us!

- Visit this link: https://ecs.page.link/786hk
- Scroll down, and under 'North Texas' on the left side, click on Frisco/Plano.
- Enter your Full Name, Zip Code, and Email Address
- On the next page, under 'Select Industry', choose Professional Services.
- On the next page with the categories list, scroll all the way down to the bottom. In the 'Travel Agent' box, write/copy Pickles Vacations.
- Click through to the last page until you see 'Thank you for voting in the 2022 Best Of Readers' Choice!'
- That's it, you're done!

If you have the time, and because you love us so much, you can also vote for us in the categories McKinney/Allen and Prosper/Celina.

Thank you so much for taking the time to vote for us!

09/03/2022

Real talk? Booking a trip on Google isn’t the same as booking with a travel pro who knows their stuff. Let me explain. If you want to book hotels online, you’ll sit down and immediately be bombarded with a deluge of choices. You’ll spend hours sifting through reviews, hoping the info is accurate, and whether or not these pictures are photoshopped. If you’re working with me as your travel advisor, we chat about your personal travel preferences and needs so I can serve up the best resorts that fit what you truly want. No more long hours on Booking.com!

And that’s just one of the many advantages of working with me as your travel pro! Do you have any questions about how I can help you? Fire away in the comments.

07/03/2022

The pink splendor of the cherry blossom bloom is a phenomenon best known in Japan and Washington D.C. It typically peaks around the end of March or beginning of April and can last up to two weeks! If this is on your bucket list, plan wisely!

04/03/2022

Wouldn’t it be nice if you could just put your feet up and relax instead of worrying about what resort or hotel to pick for your honeymoon? You absolutely can! With my travel planning services, I’ll take the reins and help you curate the perfect getaway just for you and significant others and you can breathe easier knowing you’re getting vetted travel information from an experienced pro. Are you ready? It’s time to take a load off. Send me a message and let’s start making your dream honeymoon a reality!