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hodgepodge travel

exploring unique destinations

hodgepodge travel
exploring unique destinations
  • Epic 5 Day Banff Itinerary: How to Spend 5 Days in Banff, Canada

    Epic 5 Day Banff Itinerary: How to Spend 5 Days in Banff, Canada

    June 19, 2025October 4, 2025 Canada, Destinations

    Banff National Park offers unlimited miles of hiking trails, pristine vibrant blue lakes, and wildlife galore.

    Read More Epic 5 Day Banff Itinerary: How to Spend 5 Days in Banff, CanadaContinue

Hi, I'm Erica! Hodgepodge is a space to share travel experiences and inspire you to travel too! My passion is exploring unique corners of the world and having unforgettable experiences. I'm so happy you're here!

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You don’t wanna miss these 6 food spots on the Big You don’t wanna miss these 6 food spots on the Big Island 👇🏼 📌Save this for your next trip to The Big Island of Hawaii 🌺 These are my top 6 spots for food + vibes 🌺 1. Kona Wave Cafe 🌊 - Amazing acai spot 2. Cape Dogs 🌭 - THE BEST gourmet hotdog (try the mint lemonade) 3. Loved by the Sun 🌞 - health spot with smoothies, bowls, and salads 4. Gecko Girlz 🍧 - shave ice with endless flavor combos 5. 808 Grindz Cafe ☕️ - snag a loco moco and other Hawaiian food 6. Papa Kona 🌅  - best food spot to catch the sunset {Hi, I’m Erica! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel and unique destinations 🌎🌟} . . . . #travelblogger #adventuretravel #bigisland #hawaii #travel
What a year 2025 has been 🤩 - 5 Countries - 3 Nat What a year 2025 has been 🤩 - 5 Countries - 3 National Parks - More side quests than I can count I’m so incredibly grateful to be able to travel, and continue exploring unique corners of the world. 🥹 🌎 ⭐️ Now accepting inspo for 2026 travels!! {Hi, I’m Erica! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel and unique destinations 🌎🌟} . . . . #travelblogger #adventuretravel #travelinspo #travel #adventure
My best adventure to date 🥹 So grateful I got to My best adventure to date 🥹 So grateful I got to experience Tanzania and its amazing people and culture. ALSO grateful for my body for allowing me to keep pushing myself to new heights. 💪🏼 🇹🇿  {Hi, I’m Erica! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel and unique destinations 🌎🌟} . . . . #travelblogger #adventuretravel #kilimanjaro #tanzania #uhurupeak
6 things you MUST DO in Hawaii 👇🏼 {Hi, I’m Erica! 6 things you MUST DO in Hawaii 👇🏼 {Hi, I’m Erica! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel and unique destinations 🌎🌟} The Big Island of Hawaii is so diverse which makes it the perfect adventure island! 🏝️  This was a shorter trip for me, but I was still able to see and do so much. Seeing lava for the first time was an insane experience! 🌋  → Comment “HAWAII” and I’ll send you my full day-by-day Big Island itinerary ✍️  6 things you MUST DO in Hawaii 👇🏼 1. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park 2. Night snorkel with Manta Rays 3. Kaumana Caves 4. Krishna Cow Sanctuary 5. Captain Cook Snorkel cruise 6. Punalu’u Black sand beach 💬 Which activity would you do first? → Comment “HAWAII” for all the details in my blog post ✍️  . . . . Adventure Travel | Hawaii Travel | Big Island Hawaii | Things to do in Hawaii | Hawaii Volcanoes National Park | Captain Cook | Manta Ray Snorkel | Kaumana Caves #travelblogger #adventuretravel #pickleball #hawaii #bigisland #bigislandhawaii #hawaiitravel
You know you’re obsessed when your vacation turns You know you’re obsessed when your vacation turns into a pickleball match 😆 📍South Kona, Big Island, Hawaii {Hi, I’m Erica! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow for more adventure travel and unique destinations 🫶🏼✈️} 💬 What amenities do you look for when booking accommodations? . . . . Adventure Travel | Big Island Hawaii | Hawaii Travel | South Kona Hawaii #travelblogger #adventuretravel #pickleball #hawaii #bigisland #bigislandhawaii #hawaiitravel
10 interesting facts about Doha, Qatar 👇🏼 {Hi, I’ 10 interesting facts about Doha, Qatar 👇🏼 {Hi, I’m Erica! 🙋🏼‍♀️ Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel and unique destinations 🫶🏼✈️} 1. The population in Doha is 90% expatriates 🌍  2. Arabic is the official language of Doha, but English is the most commonly spoken, followed by Indian 💬  3. Doha was colonized by Great Britain 250 years ago and gained independence in 1971 🇬🇧  4. The country is tax-free and has free education and healthcare 📚🏥 5. All of Doha is equipped with CCTV, the police will come to you 🚔 6. Doha is an Islamic State, but Islam doesn’t exceed 25% of the population ☪️  7. Gas and Oil are the main exports from Doha 🛢️ 8. Native Qatari people receive a monthly government allowance of around $50k USD because their exports come from communal land 💸 9. Doha is recognized as one of the main financial centers of the Middle East 🏦 10. There is no agriculture or arid land in Qatar, all food is imported 🌾 ❓What surprised you most about Qatar? . . . . #travelblogger #adventuretravel #dohalayover #discoverqatar #qatarairways #dohastopover #travel
How to Actually Get to Kilimanjaro👇🏼 So you’ve al How to Actually Get to Kilimanjaro👇🏼 So you’ve always wanted to climb Kilimanjaro or go on and African Safari but don’t know where to start? I gotcha! {Hi, I’m Erica! Adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, unique destinations, and realistic travel experiences 🫶🏼🌎} Follow this mini guide on Kilimanjaro logistics to start your trip off on the right foot. Want all the details? Comment ‘LOGISTICS’ and I’ll send you the full guide! 🏔️✈️ VISA REQUIREMENTS ✅ Apply at least 3 months before your trip ✅ Print your approved visa ✅ Download your visa and other travel documents into “Files” on your phone so you don’t need WiFi to pull them up FLY 🛩️ Arrive in Kilimanjaro (JRO) at least 2 days before you start climbing 🛩️ Book @Qatar airways for the most convenient flights from the US 🛩️ Take advantage of long layovers in Doha via Discover Qatar STAY 🏨 Moshi vs. Arusha? Find a hotel that works best for your plans 🏨 Have the hotel do your laundry before your journey home 🏨 Carry small bills in local currency for tips and extras . . . Adventure traveler, Kilimanjaro logistics guide, Kilimanjaro, Kilimanjaro itinerary #travelblogger #adventuretravel #kilimanjaro #kilimanjarotrek
You’re statistically more likely to regret somethi You’re statistically more likely to regret something you didn’t do - so why not do it all? 👋🏼 Hi, I’m Erica. SoCal based, Midwest raised adventure traveler and blogger, exploring unique corners of the world. Bringing you all the tips to have incredible trips. From unique destinations to DETAILED travel itineraries! Welcome, you’ve found your people 👯‍♀️✈️ @hodgepodge.travel covers all kinds of travel. Sometimes you feel like camping in a national park and other times you wanna relax on a beach, ya know? 🤷🏼‍♀️  The key is to have a unique adventure, whatever the trip looks like. See what Hodgepodge is all about 👇🏼 💬Comment ‘BANFF’ for the link to my 5 Day Banff Itinerary blog post to see some cool spots like the first clip 🤩 🏔️  So happy you’re here! 🌎 🌱 💟  #adventuretravel #travelblogger #travelitinerary #adventure
Sleeping bag liners are a thing? As a first-time Sleeping bag liners are a thing? As a first-time backpacker, I had no idea where to start to pack to climb Kilimanjaro. 🏔️ 🌎🌱 Hi, I'm Erica! Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips Packing for Mount Kilimanjaro can feel overwhelming — but the right gear makes all the difference! From hiking boots and layers for the summit night to a cozy sleeping bag, trekking poles, headlamp, and all the little essentials you can’t forget, make sure you have it all together before you go. Comment PACK for my most recent blog post about common gear mistakes on Kilimanjaro 🧳 #adventuretravel #kilimanjaro #travelblogger #climbkilimanjaro
Which one did you see first? 🤔  2 weeks, 2 advent Which one did you see first? 🤔  2 weeks, 2 adventures, and a heck of an addition to my camera roll 📸  Send this to the person who would conquer Kilimanjaro with you! 🏔️ 🇹🇿 . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #Kilimanjaro #MachameRoute #ClimbKilimanjaro #MountKilimanjaro #SevenSummits #TanzaniaTravel #BucketListAdventure #AdventureTravel #HikingCulture #SummitViews #adventuretravel #thesummeriturnedpretty
Which one did you see first? 🤔  2 weeks, 2 advent Which one did you see first? 🤔  2 weeks, 2 adventures, and a heck of an addition to my camera roll 📸  Send this to the person you wanna go on a safari with! 🐘 🦒 🦛 🦓  . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #Kilimanjaro #MachameRoute #ClimbKilimanjaro #MountKilimanjaro #SevenSummits #TanzaniaTravel #BucketListAdventure #AdventureTravel #HikingCulture #SummitViews #adventuretravel #newheights #thesummeriturnedpretty #serengetinationalpark #serengeti #safari #serengetisafari #ngorongorocrater #ngorongoro
Life is goood at 19,000ft 🤩  Now accepting ideas Life is goood at 19,000ft 🤩  Now accepting ideas for my next adventure, what should I do next?? 👇🏼 . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #Kilimanjaro #MachameRoute #ClimbKilimanjaro #MountKilimanjaro #SevenSummits #TanzaniaTravel #BucketListAdventure #AdventureTravel #HikingCulture #SummitViews #adventuretravel #newheights #youlookhappier
✨ I Summited the Roof of Africa via the epic Macha ✨ I Summited the Roof of Africa via the epic Machame Route 🏔️ A truly incredible experience I’ll never forget, all made possible by @kili_backcountry_adventure Huge shoutout to Kili Backcountry for being the kindest, most incredible humans. 35 porters came with our group of 7. They cooked for us, set up/broke down camp every day (including a toilet), led us through the dead of night in below freezing temps to watch us reach the summit, and everything in between. 👇🏼Here’s how the journey broke down: Day 1 – Machame Gate → Machame Camp (Start 5,905 ft → 9,350 ft) 🌿 First steps into the rainforest Day 2 – Machame Camp → Shira Cave Camp (9,350 ft → 12,300 ft) 🌄 Views open up, landscapes change Day 3 – Shira Cave Camp → Lava Tower → Barranco Camp (12,300 ft → 15,100 ft → 12,800 ft) ⛰️ “Climb high, sleep low” for acclimatization Day 4 – Barranco Camp → Karanga Camp (12,800 ft → 13,106 ft) 🧗 Conquered the Barranco Wall 💥 Day 5 – Karanga Camp → Barafu Camp (13,106 ft → 15,331 ft) ❄️ Base camp before the big push Day 6 – Barafu Camp → Uhuru Peak → Millennium Camp (15,331 ft → 19,341 ft → 12,530 ft) 🌅 Summit night—standing on top of Africa! 🏆 Day 7 – Millennium Camp → Mweka Gate (12,530 ft → 5,380 ft) 🥾 Final descent back through the forest Kilimanjaro no doubt tested my limits, but rewarded me with unforgettable memories. Asante Sana, Tanzania 🇹🇿  . . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #Kilimanjaro #MachameRoute #ClimbKilimanjaro #MountKilimanjaro #SevenSummits #TanzaniaTravel #BucketListAdventure #AdventureTravel #HikingCulture #SummitViews #adventuretravel
5 days up, 2 days down and the most amazing experi 5 days up, 2 days down and the most amazing experience in between 🏔️  Never in my life did I think I’d summit a mountain, let alone the tallest free standing mountain in the world, but here we are! 📍 Uhuru Peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania This is your sign to get out there! 💭What’s your next adventure? . . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #mountkilimanjaro #kilimanjaro #adventuretravel #machameroute #adventure #tanzania
Here’s some of what made Banff special ⬇️ ❇️ Emer Here’s some of what made Banff special ⬇️ ❇️ Emerald Lake - located in Yoho National park, unbeatable spot to canoe 🩵Peyto Lake - hike up to the nearby peak for the best views 🌲 Johnston Canyon - one of the coolest hikes, walk on a platform along the river Would you visit Banff National Park to see these sights? . . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 #travelblogger #banffnationalpark #banffcanada #banffitinerary #yohonationalpark #peytolake
Welcome to… 📍Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada Welcome to… 📍Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada Banff is truly one of the most stunning places with vibrant blue lakes, insane views of the Canadian Rockies, and enough hiking trails to last a lifetime 🥾 🏔️  Would you visit Banff National Park? . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 . . . #adventuretravel #travelblogger #travel #banfftravel #banffcanada #lakelouise #banffitinerary Travel | Adventure Travel | Travel Blog | Travel Itinerary | Banff Canada Travel | Banff Travel Itinerary
How to have a snow day in California ⬇️ Did you k How to have a snow day in California ⬇️ Did you know you can ski in Southern California only 2.5 hours away from LA 🤨 📍Big Bear Mountain Resort is made up of 3 different mountains now. Big Bear, Snow Summit, and Snow Valley ⛷️ Try to make it up on a weekday to avoid the weekend crowds! ❄️ Have you skied or snow boarded in Southern California? . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 . . . #adventuretravel #travelblogger #bigbearmountain #bigbearlake #california #californiatravels #travel
I didn’t know this would happen when I moved to Ca I didn’t know this would happen when I moved to California… My camera roll has never seen so many beach and sunset pics 😌 Being from the Midwest, I will never take for granted being able to enjoy these views every day 🫶🏼  📸 What’s in your camera roll?? . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 . . . #adventuretravel #travelblogger #california #orangecounty #travel
Anyone else feel like you’re never home?! 😆 I am Anyone else feel like you’re never home?! 😆 I am extremely grateful to be able to travel, but sometimes getting into a flow at home is much needed 🧘🏼‍♀️  🔋 Does your travel battery ever run out or do you like constant travel? . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 . . . #adventuretravel #travelblogger #travel #travellife
Did you know you don’t have to stay in Zion Nation Did you know you don’t have to stay in Zion National Park to still get amazing views? Only 15 mins from Zion National Park is… 📍Toquerville, Utah … 🏠 Staying in the town of Springdale (home of Zion National Park) is amazing, but sometimes can come at a price especially during the summer months. Check out nearby towns like Toquerville for more space and amazing views! 🥾 Get out and explore the National Parks!! . . 🌎🌱 Follow @hodgepodge.travel for more adventure travel, realistic travel experiences, and travel tips 🫶🏼 . . . #adventuretravel #travelblogger #zionnationalpark #toquerville #nationalparks
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