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
Complete Guide: Short And Easy Hikes In Canmore
The Canadian town of Canmore in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains is famed for its magnificent scenery and breathtaking summits. The town’s mountainous landscape provides 70 km of hiking, running, and cycling trails, making Canmore a hotspot for outdoor sports enthusiasts and...
Buying Guide: Best Backpacking Axes
If you’re camping, hiking, or backpacking out in nature, a backpacking axe is one tool that can come in handy. You can use a backpacking hatchet to chop wood, clear an area, and it can even double up as a hammer to help you pitch your camping tent. What’s more, a...
Buying Guide: Best Camping Shovels
A shovel is a valuable and versatile tool for anyone who regularly goes on camping trips! A camping shovel can help you do many things, such as build a fire pit, dig ‘cat holes’ if you don’t have a camping toilet, and clear space to pitch your tent. What’s more, the...
How Many Days In Budapest Is Enough?
This guide is designed to help you plan how many days in Budapest you will need for the perfect short break. You'll learn more about all the factors you need to take into account when deciding on the length of your visit to this incredibly beautiful city, along with...
How Many Days In Paris Is Enough?
Are you wondering how many days in Paris you will need to see the best of this romantic city and its many highlights? The answer comes down to choosing between a very tightly packed schedule and a slightly more relaxed one. If you are prepared for very little...
Best Places To Visit In Trivandrum
Kerala is known as God's own country, and rightly so because of its largely untouched natural beauty. Being the capital of this spectacular state, rest assured you will find Trivandrum as an ideal gateway to South India. To make the most of your trip, check out these...