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
The Ultimate Scotland Bucket List
Scotland may be a small country, but there is so much to do, see, and add to your Scotland bucket list thanks to its distinct traditions, rich history, and stunning scenery. From the vibrant cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh to the breathtaking Highlands and stunning...
The 5 Best Places To Live In Turkey
Turkey is a beautiful country with so much to offer expats and digital nomads. If you're looking for the best places to live in Turkey, in this guide, you'll find the best cities that come highly recommended. Turkey is often chosen by expats and digital nomads because...
Perfect Mallorca Road Trip Itinerary
The largest island of the Balearics, Mallorca offers its visitors a lovely mixture of natural beauty, sun-soaked beaches, charming villages, and captivating history. Going on a Mallorca road trip is one of the best ways to experience its many attractions and it's also...
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Staying In A Hotel
When it comes to traveling, there are a variety of accommodation options to choose from. Hotels are one of the most popular choices, but they're not always the best option. There are hostels, Airbnbs, holiday homes, and apartments among your other choices. In this...
Camping With A Dog: Where Does He Sleep?
So, you're planning a camping trip and you want to bring your furry friend along. That's great! Camping with a dog can be a blast. But there's one big question you need to answer before hitting the road: where is your dog going to sleep? If you're like most people,...
Complete Guide: How Much Is A Good Tent?
Wondering how much you should spend on a tent? Don't worry, we've got you covered. In this guide, we'll explain the different factors to consider when buying a tent so that you can find out what to expect in terms of costs. Generally speaking, you can spend between...