Founder
Melissa Giroux founded abrokenbackpack.com in 2015. She is been living abroad since 2014. Originally Canadian, she has been living and working online in many destinations around the world. She is passionate about traveling, technology, entrepreneurship, and CrossFit.
She has traveled extensively in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and North America. She is now living in Thailand.
To learn more, head to our About page.
If you’re heading to Japan, you should add Osaka to your itinerary. It’s not too far from Kyoto, and close enough from Nara. Basically, it’s worth visiting! To help you plan your trip to Osaka, here are my recommendations on what to do. I visited Osaka twice. Once a...
Do you like modern contemporary art? Are you looking for a true eye-opener? If you answered yes to one or both questions, Moco Museum is definitely waiting for your visit! Start your Amsterdam adventure in Moco Museum, get lost between the walls covered with...
Wondering what are the best places to live in Portugal? We understand! Portugal is becoming the country everyone wants to visit, and many want to live in. Why? Well, it isn’t just because of the sun, the proximity of the sea and the cheap prices. The increasing...
If you ask me where is the best food is - I’d say Israel. Israeli food is one of the major reasons why I’m super happy to visit… and revisit Israel. Ha! There’s a lot of food to eat in Israel - and don’t worry, many restaurants have a fixed menu which means you’ll get...
If you’re planning your trip to Jerusalem, you may be wondering how long you need and more importantly, what to do and see. Whether you’re heading to Jerusalem for religious reasons or not, you should know that there’s more to it than just religious sites. (I’m only...
Floating in the Dead Sea is the kind of experience you might have only once in your life. (Or is it?) After swimming in the Dead Sea not once, but four times, I tried different beaches and I know where the best one is. In this post, you’ll find my top Dead Sea tips to...
Are you deciding whether to take a few days off from work to travel abroad or if you rather pack your backpack and buy a one-way ticket to your new adventure? I know - it’s a hard one! For most working people, it is much easier to book a 3-nights holiday somewhere in...
Las Vegas might not be the first-holiday destination you think of for a budget travel experience. However, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to hear that Sin City isn’t all Michelin-starred restaurants and exclusive VIP nightclubs. Yes, there are plenty of ways to soak...
Wondering where to go in Bali? How to create the perfect Bali itinerary? I’m very happy to help you plan a trip to Bali that you’re going to remember. Why should you trust me? Well - Bali was my base for more than a year so I feel like I know Bali pretty well! The...
If you’re an experienced scuba diver, there’s a high chance Indonesia in on your list. With places such as Komodo National Park, the Nusa Islands, the Gili Islands and Raja Ampat - there are several diving sites to consider. As I just started diving this year, I won’t...