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
Prettiest Places To Visit On The Jurassic Coast
Chances are, you’ve never heard of the Jurassic Coast. If you’re visiting the UK, it probably won’t be on your list of places to visit – it’s hours outside London and at the opposite end of the country to Edinburgh and Glasgow. And you’re probably wondering whether...
How To Get To Coron, Palawan
Coron, the beautiful island is located in Palawan in the Philippines and boasts of excellent beaches and picturesque scenery. It is, in fact, one of the best places for those seeking a wreck diving and snorkeling experience. There are plenty of other touristic things...
Airbnb Coimbra: Where To Stay In Portugal’s Historical Town
Coimbra might not be on everyone's list, but if you are visiting Portugal and are thinking about something different, you should consider it! Imagine impressive churches, student vibes and medieval twists and you're almost there! The bar scene and attractions around...
Travel Guide: Viljandi, Estonia
If you decided to explore other places while in Estonia, you might have found Viljandi, a small town located in the south of the country. Viljandi is the cute little town where you can find old buildings, many squares, and parks. This town is well known for its...
Tips For Your 3-Day Trip To Disney World Orlando
Although Orlando is relatively a small city, it is a unique destination for tourists. Why? The answer is obvious; it houses the most treasured theme park in the world, Disney World. Covering almost 75.63 km2, the “Walt Disney World Resort” has four amusement...
Your Ultimate Guide To Ski Holidays In Italy
Over the years Italy has gained an unblemished reputation which has constantly been impressing skiers from all over the world. This is primarily because of the excellent infrastructure, astonishing scenery, fine weather and above all - the amiable temperament of the...