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 Paris Worth Visiting?
You may have been wondering, is Paris worth visiting? There are many reasons why the French capital city sees millions of visitors yearly. Tourists travel from all corners of the world to explore Paris and see its famous landmarks for themselves. Is your idea of a...
Perfect 2 Days In Santorini Itinerary
The Cycladic island of Santorini attracts millions of visitors each year. It is exceptionally beautiful, with a unique, volcanic landscape, blue-domed churches, and gleaming white villages. The beaches are fantastic, providing lots of opportunities for sunbathing,...
Perfect 2 Days In Athens Itinerary
Spending 2 days in Athens and wondering what to add to your itinerary? You're in the right place! Athens is a fascinating city, filled with ancient ruins and historic monuments. It’s a great place to visit on a short break, with many of its main attractions located...
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Traveling Alone
Solo travel can be some of the most transformative times in a person's life. Traveling alone means you can see the world on your own terms and on whatever schedule you choose. You can make deeper connections than you ever expected and make friendships that last a...
Advantages And Disadvantages Of Traveling
When it comes to traveling, it can look like it's all sunshine and rainbows on social media (and sometimes it really is). However, like with anything in life, there are some pros and cons to the travel lifestyle, especially when it comes to long-term travel or solo...
Perfect 2 Days In Rome Itinerary
Wondering how to spend two days in Rome? It is one of those cities that everyone needs to visit at least once. Sometimes referred to as the City of Seven Hills because it was built on or between seven hills, Rome is central to the Catholic faith and has long been...