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 Bodrum Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know
Nestled between two picturesque bays on Turkey's southwest coast is a beautiful and tourist-friendly ancient town. Bodrum's breathtaking ocean views, medieval buildings, fine dining establishments, and luxury hotels have been drawing in tourists worldwide for years....
Is Frankfurt Worth Visiting?
Frankfurt is a dynamic city in Germany where old-world charm meets modern hustle and bustle. However, if you are planning your next euro trip, you might ask, is Frankfurt worth visiting? Located in the state of Hesse, Frankfurt is the 5th largest city in Germany and...
Is Dubai Worth Visiting?
Dubai is a breathtaking city located in the United Arab Emirates on the coast of the Persian Gulf. It’s known for its futuristic architecture, extravagant shopping malls, and lavish hotels. However, if you are planning your next vacation, you might ask, is Dubai worth...
How Many Days In Dubai Is Enough?
Planning a trip to the United Arab Emirates soon? You might be wondering how many days in Dubai 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 exploring everything it has to offer, we suggest...
How Many Days In Madrid Is Enough?
Planning a trip to Spain soon? You might be wondering how many days in Madrid 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 exploring the city, we suggest spending at least two or three days...
Is Gibraltar Worth Visiting?
Located just 2 hours from Malaga, Gibraltar is a popular tourist destination in mainland Europe. However, if you are planning your next trip, you might ask, is Gibraltar worth visiting? This holiday spot is a British Overseas Territory, which means it is under the...