About Melissa
Hello, I’m Mel!
I’m a Canadian travel blogger who has been traveling and living abroad since 2014.
Learn more about my story below.
Life before blogging
I’m originally from Quebec, Canada. Back in the days, I used to be a social worker. I used to travel once a year for about a month and I was always spending my summers in Europe since I was 20 years old.
In June 2014, I started my journey around the world at the age of 25.
Life on the road
I first started my journey in the Canadian Rockies, where I hitch-hiked my way around. Then, I moved to Australia for two years. I started A Broken Backpack in July 2015. Back then, I was working on a farm in Australia and needed something to stay entertained. Quickly, A Broken Backpack became popular.
After Australia, I decided to go on a backpacking trip to Southeast Asia. Later, I moved to the UK for less than a year.
In October 2017, I decided to move to Southeast Asia. Bali became my home for about one and a half years.
In 2019, I was based mostly in Thailand.
In 2020, I moved to Bulgaria.
In 2022, I moved to Thailand, and it became my main base.
Of course, I do plan occasional trips in and out, but since I’m running an online business and a few successful blogs, I prefer slow travel.
This brings me to you
A Broken Backpack offers excellent travel tips to help you stay on the road longer. I left Canada with less than CAD 2,000 in my name (and many student debts).
I’m living proof that you don’t need tons of savings to make your travel dreams come true.
I learned how to travel on the very cheap, volunteered when I needed to, and created an online business to support myself abroad. I share all these tips here on A Broken Backpack.
I’m now in my thirties, and my travel style has evolved. I’m not all about budget travel anymore, and I now travel with my husband (we met in Thailand).
So, A Broken Backpack is not just a budget travel blog anymore. You’ll find all the travel tips needed to plan your dream trip no matter your travel style, budget, or interest.
Pick Your Travel Style
Living Abroad
Backpacking
Camping
Hiking
Digital Nomadism
Volunteering
Read my latest blog posts
Is Rome Worth Visiting?
Known as the Eternal City, Rome has been around since the beginning of the eighth century BC, making it one of Europe’s oldest cities. But if you are thinking of visiting Italy, you might be wondering, is Rome worth visiting? Rome is 2,500 years older than...
How To Eat Healthy While Staying In A Hotel
Need some advice on how to eat healthy while staying in a hotel? Traveling has many positive benefits like seeing beautiful places, meeting new people, and creating incredible memories. However, there is no denying that being away from home messes with your routine,...
Holafly Review: Is Holafly Legit?
Want to learn more about Holafly and eSIM for your next travel adventures around the world? In this Holafly review, we'll give you more information about Holafly eSIM cards and our opinion on the company. Travelers love having access to the Internet when they travel,...
Complete Review: Abroadly
Wondering if Abroadly is a trustworthy app? In this review, we'll be diving deep into Abroadly, seeing what it's all about, and whether it's worth signing up for. What started out as a Facebook group offering a helping hand to travelers around the world who were...
Complete Guide: The Cheapest Places To Travel In Asia
Are you looking for the cheapest places to travel in Asia? Then you have many wonderful options to choose from! Made up of 48 countries, the Asian continent is the largest in the world. Whilst countries like Japan and Singapore may be off the list for the traveler on...
Complete Guide: How To Elope In San Diego
You have come to the right place if you’re searching for beautiful weather, coastal lines, and dramatic cliffs. Whisking off to elope in San Diego will be picture-perfect for your elopement! San Diego brings you both trendy and versatile. You can enjoy elegant...