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
Morocco Internet And Wifi: What You Need To Know
Are you planning a trip to Morocco and want to stay connected? If so, then you’ll need to consider how you will access the internet while in Morocco. WiFi is widely available throughout the country, but there are some things that travelers should know before they go....
How Many Days In Zion National Park Is Enough?
Planning a trip to the United States soon? You might be wondering how many days in Zion National Park 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...
How Many Days In Los Angeles Is Enough?
Planning a trip to the United States soon? You might be wondering how many days in Los Angeles 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 further than the city and throughout the...
Perfect 2 Days In Helsinki Itinerary
Helsinki is somewhat off the beaten track in terms of tourism. Yet this undiscovered gem is the perfect destination for a city break, giving you the chance to appreciate everything from natural scenery and relaxing saunas to high art and history. The architecture is...
Is Antalya Safe? Here’s What You Need To Know
As with any destination, there are always safety concerns to consider before planning a trip. But let's clear one thing up right off the bat: Antalya is safe for travelers. That being said, it's always important to practice common sense and awareness while traveling...
How Many Days In Las Vegas Is Enough?
Planning a trip to the United States soon? You might be wondering how many days in Las Vegas 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...