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
Best Things To Do In Berlin In Spring
As the temperature rises, the flowers blossom, and the trees become green, the capital of Germany comes alive. There is no better time to visit Berlin than springtime, as it's warm enough to enjoy the outdoor offerings, yet the city is still free from the high-season...
Perfect 2 Days In Tallinn Itinerary
The capital of Estonia, Tallinn is a charming city with a scenic Old Town designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Compact and perfect for a short visit, it combines medieval architecture and a strong cultural identity with an up-and-coming culinary scene and exciting...
Perfect 2 Days In Lucerne Itinerary
One of Switzerland’s most scenic destinations, the beautiful city of Lucerne sits among the snow-topped mountains on Lake Lucerne. It has a fairytale charm that attracts visitors from all over the world, drawn by its medieval old town, striking architecture, and...
The 4 Most Scenic Hikes In Oaxaca
Nestled between mountain ranges and the Pacific Ocean, the state of Oaxaca is perhaps one of the most beautifully diverse parts of Mexico. The diversity of the terrain, flora and fauna, birds, food, and cultures delights the senses and the adventure-seeker in us all....
Luxury Travel To Ibiza
One of the largest Spanish islands, Ibiza, attracts a huge number of tourists every year. This destination is known for its versatility, and so people from all walks of life can find something special for themselves here. Young students and friend groups love the...
5 Amazing Things To See In The Fantastic City Of Lisbon
Situated in Portugal, Lisbon is a historic and vibrant city and is a real bucket list destination. Like other great cities in the world, it manages to blend the historic with the new and draws travelers and tourists year in and year out. With this in mind, let’s look...