Some Random Popular Posts
Iceland Road Trip – homeward bound…
…and finally homeward bound… This is actually a gas station! (just the pump – the shed is locked) Notice the incredible cloud bank sitting on the horizon… …and back in time for dinner where this cool character was my dining companion… ~ Bella Read more
Senior Christmas in Torquay
The hotel in which I was staying for the first month here was the venue for a beautiful sight… A seniors’ group were having their Christmas party, including a visit from Santa Claus! – but this was weeks before Christmas..? I was speaking with one of the ladies and she… Read more
Exploring Tsarevo and Surrounds… 2 of 3
…continued… This is a traditional Bulgaria house – and was built in the 1800s! As we began down this road, I was ever so pleased my driver had second thoughts and turned around…… It is interesting that in this whole part of the world, older people sit outside their fence… Read more
Templar Graves, Ancient Standing Stones – Christmas in Scotland!
Just before lockdown started in Scotland (again), I went for a drive to Kilmartin. I have been here before, but wanted to spend additional time looking at the Templar graves and ancient standing stones in the area. Driving through the lovely village of Arrochar on Loch Long… …to a diversion… Read more
Hornafjörður Walter Mitty Airport
Continuing on my ‘Walter Mitty’ quest, Harry Hyundai and I went in search of the supposed ‘Nuuk’ airport… Here is a shot from the movie showing the airport… ..and hey presto! Hornafjörður Airport! From here we go searching for a red chair……. http://luxuriousnomad.com/icelands-red-chair/ ~ Bella Read more
Historic Paul Patisserie
…and I happened to come across my favourite little patisserie in the whole world – Paul. “PAUL started in 1889 as a French family bakery. Today it is still a family company, but their legendary goodies are famous all over the world. What PAUL stands for is basically traditional recipes… Read more
Q&A with the author of the “Victoria” mini-series
After travelling from Torquay by rail to Paddington Station (and by the way – there is a new Paddington Bear book that I was excited to read until I discovered, as one newspaper put it, “Paddington Bear will encounter migrants, electronic tagging, and ‘elf ‘n’ safety laws in a brand… Read more
Ostia Update
As I begin this post, it is Monday here in Ostia (after arriving on Saturday and sleeping much of Sunday!). I went for a walk with the intention of getting some lunch, some wine and some groceries. As the song says, two out of three ain’t bad. Groceries can wait… One… Read more
Vienna to Italy via First Class Rail
Roma, here I come! Well, note quite yet, but my First Class rail tickets just arrived by courier today and I must admit I am very excited. This will be the first overnight rail journey I have ever taken in Europe and I will be travelling from Vienna, Austria to… Read more
Most Recent Posts
Furry pony on the beach
11 out of 10 on the cuteness scale… teaching a furry fluffy pony to jump – it was sooooooo cute! Read more
Historic Exeter Quayside
Exeter Quayside is such a beautiful tucked-away gem that dates back to Roman times. It was a thriving port until the 14th century when weirs were built across the River Exe. Read more
A Sherman Tank in England..?
On this magical day, we set out to explore the Sherman tank that now sits beside a beach in South Devon – but first, a stop for lunch… …and finally we reach Slapton Sands, home of a recovered Sherman tank… ~ Bella Read more
Dartmoor River Crossing
It was a glorious day so George Jeep (rental) and I went for a meander… First, sitting at one of my favourite spots for some reading… …then off to cross the River Dart… Note – this phone box actually has a TELEPHONE in it! …and complete with seals frolicking… (ok,… Read more
Canada owns part of Britain?
Yes, Canada does actually own part of Britain! Welcome to Wolford Chapel… where the building and land are publicly owned by the Canadian province of Ontario, and flies the Flag of Canada despite the chapel being in the English countryside! ~ Bella Read more
Thatched Pub Built in 1620
We first were headed here – but alas, no one was home, so we went in search of another beautiful old pub – and didn’t have to travel far… The Kings Arms, Tedburn, built in 1620… …next stop – CANADA..? ~ Bella Read more
Travel Tips
The Joys of Travelling Alone
The Joys of Travelling Alone: A Journey of Self-Discovery I was speaking with someone yesterday who said, “I couldn’t do what you do, and travel the world by myself.” I considered her words overnight, and here is my response. In an increasingly connected world, the idea of solitude might seem… Read more
Solo Travel Tips to Stay Safe and Have Fun!
Many people are amazed when they learn that I journey around the world as a solo traveller – and even more than that, I do not have a family ‘back home’ who know my every whereabouts and activity. I truly am the epitome of a solo traveller! While friends have… Read more
My International Chauffeur Service
Ever wanted an international chauffeur? An international chauffeur company who knows you, who operates all over the world, who is reliable, affordable and who also has ‘an app for that’? I love my international chauffeur service, BlackLane. They do all that and more! …and especially as a woman travelling around… Read more
Luxurious Nomad Luxury Skin Care for Pennies!
I had a most delightful conversation yesterday with a lovely waitress at one of my ‘local watering holes’ where I eat, drink and work. She is a beautiful young woman of twenty-five – and when we were joking about her being a quarter of a century, she was astonished when… Read more
Who is the Luxurious Nomad?
Hello! I am Ms (Leigh) Bella St John – and I am an author, entrepreneur, coach, wine-lover, self-confessed geek, lover of all things Victorian/Edwardian and steampunk, and a Luxurious Nomad!
One of my greatest passions is ‘keeping history alive’.
Thanks to the residual income streams I created from, among other things, licensing my professional development programs, I retired at age 50 when I decided to leave America (where I had been living for the past ten years) and now travel the world fulltime as a Luxurious Nomad (http://LuxuriousNomad.com), living a life many people only dream of living (yes, even in the current ‘situation’) – and unlike most, I travel with ‘essentials’ such as a crystal wine glass, gold fountain pen, and a collection of hats, gloves, etc……
I did not even catch the travel bug until I was in my 30s, and after exploring much of ‘down under’ and parts of New Zealand, I then travelled through quite a bit of Asia, lived approximately 10 years in the USA (spent significant time in 42 states – exploring all extensively by road), several trips to Canada (including the Winter Olympics) and now off exploring amazing places in the UK and Europe, spending a couple of months in one country, then a couple of months in another… I hope to one day meet Mr Right and settle down wherever he may be (and fingers’ crossed he is in Scotland or England), but until then, there is plenty of the world to experience!
Essentially I live a version of Elizabeth’s Gilbert’s, “Eat, Pray, Love” – although mine is more ‘wine, pray, love’!
…and I do all this, despite having some reasonably significant physical and mobility challenges, thanks in part to being hit by a car while in Italy a few years ago – and I use a wheelchair from time to time…
…and for those who are interested, my wheelchair is only 13lb – that’s less than most bowling balls! It’s an amazing travel chair that is soooo comfy and whose name is Lancelot (yes, my wheelchair has a name).
Oh, and this photo below was taken at a Steampunk convention in the USA in late 2016, not long before I left the States…
Digital Nomad Tip
The life of a Digital Nomad
The life of a digital nomad – a modern embodiment of the age-old wanderer, but with a dash of Wi-Fi and a sprinkle of global connectivity. In this digital age, the life of a digital nomad is not one that treads the Silk Road but rather the silky strands of… Read more
