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 10 Day Backpacking Greece Itinerary
Planning a backpacking trip to Greece? Take a look at our 10-day itinerary in Greece so you can make the most of your holidays. Greece is a beautiful country and at the top of many traveler’s bucket lists. Greece has beautiful beaches, fantastic scenery, rich culture,...
Perfect 2 Day In Bangkok Itinerary
Wondering what to do in Bangkok in two days? Bangkok is a city like no other. It's a vast place that always has something happening, and you will probably never explore it all. Bangkok is known for having numerous temples, parks, shopping malls, markets,...
Expat Guide: Living In Vietnam
Thinking of moving to Vietnam? Southeast Asia is an attractive place to move for many expats because of the beaches, low cost of living, and the adventure that awaits. Thailand and Bali seem to be the hotspots for expats and travelers alike, but Vietnam is often...
What Is the Best Month To Visit Cape Town?
Cape Town —like the rest of South Africa— has varied climates during different times of the year. The best month to vacation in Cape Town depends largely on the type of activities you’d like to take part in. From summer parties at the beach to wine tasting in Africa’s...
7 Tips For Keeping Your Family Safe And Healthy While Traveling
Traveling with the family is a great experience. And let’s face it, at this point, you may be itching to get away for a bit if you’ve been staying home to help control the spread of this latest virus outbreak. As important as it is to have fun on a trip, however, it’s...
Where Would You Go If You Won The Lottery?
Having cashed several millions after winning the Lotto, there are no limits as to places you can travel. With no costs weighing you down, you can explore as many places around the world. Pick a hint or two from these travel suggestions: The Scottish Castle Some of...