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
Tripcentral.ca Review
Everybody wants to escape somehow. Whether you’re trying to escape the Canadian coldness or simply relax and forget you ever got a job, there are many destinations awaiting you. Traveling from Canada isn’t the most budget-friendly option out there - and...
Surf Camp Bali For Beginners
If you’ve been following my blog you know I tried to learn how to surf in Portugal in 2017. Back then I was scared of waves, I was lacking confidence in the water and I was definitely not thinking I’d ever surf again. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed my experience...
Review: Deccan Odyssey Train In India
What it’s like to be traveling on a luxury train travel in India, how to pick the right train/itinerary and how to get ready for the experience of a lifetime. Here's a unique way to experience traveling in India! India was on my list for years! I didn’t know if I was...
Tips For Traveling To Paris For The First Time
If you’re traveling to Paris for the first time, here are my top tips for a successful first time in the city! This article will answer questions like: how many days should you spend in Paris, things to do around Paris, and top tips for visiting Paris without going...
Best Way To Travel Australia
Make the most of your trip around Australia - a backpackers guide to Australia. You can surely visit Australia on a budget and I’m sharing my top tips for an epic backpacking/budget road-trip around Australia. Backpacking in Australia was one of my biggest life...
Complete Guide: Where To Stay In Canggu, Bali
If you're looking for where to stay in Canggu, Bali, you've come to the right place. This complete guide will show you all the best places to stay in Canggu, depending on your needs. We'll cover everything from budget-friendly options to luxury resorts, so you can...