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
How Many Days In Santorini Is Enough?
Located on the southern side of the Aegean sea, the beautiful island of Santorini has lots to offer its visitors. From its blue-domed churches and wineries to its dormant volcano and unique landscape, there really is something for everyone. So how many...
Complete Guide: Best Hostels In Playa Del Carmen
Heading to Playa del Carmen, Mexico soon? Backpackers and budget travelers have plenty of options when it comes to finding hostels in Playa del Carmen. In fact, you’ll find great hostels for just $8-15 a night. On a budget? Don’t worry - you can book a bed in a dorm...
How Many Days In Athens Is Enough?
Rich in culture and history, the city of Athens is filled with unique attractions, experiences, and sights. But just how many days in Athens do you need to really make the most of all this incredible city has to offer? Are a couple of days enough or should you really...
Complete Guide: The Best Hiking Beanies
If you're planning on hiking in cold weather, be sure to wrap up, so you stay warm and protected from the harsh conditions. One essential accessory for winter hiking is a high-quality, insulated beanie. While the marketplace is full of winter hats, searching for the...
Best Destinations To Start Your Travel Blogging Business
Travel blogging has helped many travelers build great businesses. So if you love traveling and are considering starting a travel blog, you are on the right path. However, it takes commitment, hard work, and time to build a successful blogging business. You need to...
What It’s Like To Be Living In Playa Del Carmen
Mexico is a popular destination for tourists, expats, digital nomads, and retirees. When looking for the best places to live in Mexico, you’ll likely hear about Playa del Carmen. In this guide, we’ll be discussing what it’s like to move to Playa del Carmen. I’ll...