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.

Melissa Giroux

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.

Melissa Giroux at Lake Louise

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.

Melissa Giroux at Holi Festival

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.

Melissa Giroux in Bali

Pick Your Travel Style

Living Abroad

Backpacking

Camping

Hiking

Digital Nomadism

Volunteering

Read my latest blog posts

Complete Guide: Best Crystals For Safe Travel By Plane

Complete Guide: Best Crystals For Safe Travel By Plane

Did you know that different types of crystals have different properties? And that some of these properties could be helpful when traveling by plane? Some people believe that carrying the right type of crystal with you can help to ensure a safe and pleasant journey....

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Complete Guide: Best Places To Live In Malta

Complete Guide: Best Places To Live In Malta

Are you trying to figure out the best places to live in Malta? Malta is easily one of the best places in Europe to live, thanks to its blissful weather, laid-back vibe, and low cost of living. Moreover, because of the taxing system, living in Malta is desirable for...

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Complete Guide: The Best Places To Live In Italy

Complete Guide: The Best Places To Live In Italy

Are you trying to figure out where the best places to live in Italy are? With its mouth-watering cuisine, breathtaking scenery, and warm climate, Italy is a country where many people dream of living. Therefore, it's no surprise that expat communities here are rapidly...

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Complete SafetyWing Review: What You Need To Know

Complete SafetyWing Review: What You Need To Know

If you're searching for the best travel insurance, you might have come across SafetyWing. In this SafetyWing review, we'll look at their policies to help you decide if it's the right travel insurance for you. This guide will provide information about SafetyWing, how...

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How To Keep Food Cold While Camping

How To Keep Food Cold While Camping

When you go camping, food is one of the most important things to bring. However, it can spoil quickly if you don’t have a way to keep your food cold. In this guide, you'll find some helpful tips for keeping your food cold while camping. By following these tips, you...

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iVisa Review: Is iVisa Legit?

iVisa Review: Is iVisa Legit?

You might need a visa if you're thinking about traveling to a foreign country. iVisa is a website that can help make the process of getting your visa much more manageable. In this guide, you'll find everything you need to know about using iVisa.com. Without further...

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