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 Madrid Worth Visiting?
Madrid is the vibrant capital city of Spain, known for its lively atmosphere, rich history, and delicious food. However, if you are planning your next euro trip, you might ask, is Madrid worth visiting? The city is famous for its beautiful architecture, including the...
How Many Days In Cappadocia Is Enough?
Planning a trip to Turkey soon? You might be wondering how many days in Cappadocia 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...
Is Da Nang Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know
While it may not be as well known as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang is one of South-Central Vietnam's most popular tourist destinations. This bustling coastal city is known for its gorgeous beaches, crystal-clear waters, and stunning nature-rich backdrop. Da Nang...
Perfect 2 Days In Kyoto Itinerary
Kyoto is a modern, thriving city that has somehow managed to retain the beauty and tradition of its past. Here, in what many consider to be the cultural center of Japan, you can see an ever-changing mixture of old and new from one street to another. Yes, there are the...
How Many Days In Egypt Is Enough?
Planning a trip to Africa soon? You might be wondering how many days in Egypt is enough. The answer, of course, depends on what you want to do and see while you're in the area. If you're interested in exploring the region, we suggest spending at least seven days in...
How Many Days In Toronto Is Enough?
Planning a trip to Canada soon? You might be wondering how many days in Toronto is enough. The answer, of course, depends on what you want to do and see while you're in the area. If you're interested in exploring the state of Ontario further, we suggest spending at...