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
Unveiling The Hidden Charms Of Norway: Exploring Nature And Culture
It’s impossible to think of Norway without conjuring up the image of deep, long waterways carved millions of years ago by glaciers. Fjords may have come to define the Norwegian landscape, but there is so much more to this fascinating country than Sognefjord, which is...
Should You Sell Your Silver To Fund Your Travels?
The call of the open road, the allure of far-flung destinations, the chance to immerse oneself in a world of new cultures, cuisines, and landscapes - travel can be a wonderfully enriching experience. But often, it's the financial aspect that holds us back. Could there...
Traveling This Summer? Here’s How You Can Style Your Bralette
Are you planning on traveling this summer? Perhaps you have an entire road trip across the US planned, or you’re heading down under for an authentic taste of backpacking adventure? Whatever your travel plans might be, the space in your luggage or backpack is both...
Top 10 Must-Visit Destinations For Car Travel Enthusiasts
Do you love driving to new places and experiencing scenic views? If yes, then you're in for a real treat because this world is full of stunning locations. But do you think you have a unique taste that no ordinary destination would be able to tickle? Don’t worry,...
A Last-Minute Guide To London: How To Plan A Romantic Trip
When booking a last-minute trip to London with your partner, you may want to quickly familiarize yourself with the best accommodations, activities, and romantic experiences before you visit. The good news is that the English capital doesn’t disappoint with...
The Most Incredible Vacation Spots From All Over The World
Summer is the time when most start feeling the need to travel. Most start planning their trips and getaways as the weather gets hotter and the daylight hours longer. If you’ve been thinking about visiting a new country this summer, you might wonder which destination...