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
Is Cologne Worth Visiting?
Cologne is a city with a fascinating history situated in the West of Germany. This is a beautiful city filled with incredible landmarks, tasty restaurants, and vibrant culture. However, if you are planning your next euro trip, you might ask, is Cologne worth visiting?...
Is Antalya Worth Visiting?
Antalya is a stunning seaside city in Turkey. It is well known for its glorious beaches, charming old town, and ancient ruins. Millions of tourists travel here every year to experience the beauty of the area with the Taurus Mountains on one side of the city and the...
Turkish Coast: The Best Beach Towns In Turkey
Turkey is home to some of the most beautiful beach towns in the world. With over 7,200 kilometers of coastline, the country offers a plethora of seaside destinations for beach lovers. From popular tourist hotspots to hidden gems, Turkey has something for everyone. In...
Complete Guide: Best Towns In The Algarve
The Algarve region in southern Portugal is known for its beautiful coastline, warm weather, and charming towns. In fact, the Algarve’s charming towns are one of the country’s top highlights, drawing in tourists and travelers from all over the world. When it comes to...
Is Faro Worth Visiting?
Faro is a charming city located along the coast of the Algarve region in southern Portugal. It is known for its wonderful beaches, many historic landmarks, and vibrant cultural scene. However, if you are planning your next Portugal trip, you might ask, is Faro worth...
How Many Days In Frankfurt Is Enough?
Planning a trip to Germany soon? You might be wondering how many days in Frankfurt is enough. The answer, of course, depends on what you want to do and see while you're in the city. If you're interested in fully exploring the city, we suggest spending at least two...