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: The Most Beautiful Cities In France
France is a country rich in culture, historic architecture, and beautiful scenery. This guide takes a look at some of the most beautiful cities in France to visit, whether you are looking for the best cuisine, the most stunning views, or you simply want to tour its...
Complete Guide: Visiting Kyoto In The Fall
No trip to Japan is complete without visiting the beautiful old city of Kyoto. Previously the capital city, Kyoto is now known as the cultural capital of Japan. This is because of its abundance of charming gardens, Buddhist temples, pretty shrines, and traditional...
Complete Guide: 10 Best Campgrounds In Alberta
Camping in Alberta is an unforgettable experience, with jaw-dropping views, adventure-packed activities, and a chance to get up close and personal with nature in all her glory. In this guide, you'll find some of the best campgrounds in Alberta, offering...
Complete Guide: Best Backpacking Outfits
One of the most challenging parts of preparing for a backpacking trip is packing. It can be confusing to know what to wear backpacking and difficult not to overpack! Of course, the climates you will encounter on your backpacking trip will determine what you need to...
Complete Guide: Pickup Truck Camping
Have you considered pickup truck camping? If you have such a vehicle, you pretty much have a solid base for a successful and highly enjoyable camping trip. Truck camping is fast becoming one of the most popular outdoor leisure activities, due to the convenience...
Portugal Digital Nomads Guide: What You Need To Know
Portugal is one of the most popular destinations for digital nomads and expats. The country’s pleasant climate, friendly locals, high levels of safety, and stable internet connection are just a few of the reasons digital nomads are flocking here. The country...