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
Perfect 3 Days In Jackson Hole Itinerary
Have you ever heard of Jackson Hole, Wyoming? You might not be familiar with it, but you will soon want to add it to your travel list. In this guide, you'll find the perfect itinerary for 3 days in Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole is a charming town in Wyoming that is...
Expat Guide: Living In Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a popular destination amongst digital nomads and budget travelers. In fact, since 2020, more and more nomads decided to move to Bulgaria, especially to Bansko, a trendy digital nomad hotspot for outdoor lovers. I, myself, decided to move to Bulgaria in...
Perfect 10 Days In Portugal Itinerary
If you haven’t been to Portugal yet, you have to add it to your list. Portugal is becoming a trendy destination, as it is a country that has everything. It’s an affordable country to travel in, making it a popular destination, especially for digital nomads. ...
5 Nifty Ways To Make Money While Traveling The World
Are you the kind of person who is always on the move or loves to travel? Living your life out of a suitcase comes with its own challenges and outcomes. Apart from adjusting to different climatic conditions and dealing with jet lags, one may also get anxious about...
Perfect 10 Day In Sri Lanka Itinerary
Sri Lanka is a wonderful destination for backpackers and travelers who want to experience something new. Sri Lanka is a big country, so if you have only 10 days in Sri Lanka, you'll need to decide which part to visit. In this post, you'll find our suggested 10 day Sri...
Perfect 3 Days In Yellowstone Itinerary
If you are planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, it can feel overwhelming at first. What should you see? How long do you need? What do you need to know? If these thoughts have gone through your head, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide,...