Some Random Popular Posts
Stobi Archeological Site
Stobi – once the capital of a Roman province named Macedonia Salutaris, was originally built around 500BC, and annexed later, around 200 BC, by Philip V of Macedon. Covering an area of around 25,000 square meters, the town housed around 20,000 people. There is a magnificent bath house with mosaic… Read more
My ‘Office’ on The River Thames
There are worse places to sit and work for the day than on the dock of an historic hotel, beside the River Thames… Fluffy river companion… (I do miss having a fluffy companion – one of the drawbacks of this amazing lifestyle…) Sitting here, working away – the river provided… Read more
Exploring Ireland’s Rugged West Coast
My darling pseudo-daughter, Bethany (she is actually the daughter of dear friends, but I have stolen her) came to visit with me during my stay in Ireland and we have been exploring, mostly by simply driving around and seeing where my beloved Baby Jaguar took us! This is Kylemore Abbey. … Read more
Laidhay Croft Museum
~ Bella Read more
Magical Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride through Vienna
What a magnificent day! Slept in, then rugged up (it was minus 1 outside and lightly snowing), walked literally 3 minutes past the opera house where I stepped into a horse-drawn carriage and rode around Vienna for an hour, had a magnificent lunch, strolled home via a stop in a… Read more
Hofskirkja Turf Church
Continuing on, we go in search of the last turf church ever to be built in Iceland… Originally constructed in 1884, this is still a practicing parish church… …surrounded by burial mounds… Next stop – Diamond Beach: http://luxuriousnomad.com/diamond-beach/ ~ Bella Read more
Farewell Scotland, hello Ireland
After a few weeks of crazy weather – but at least one night that included a spectacular sunset! – it was time to leave beloved Scotland and head to Ireland… Stayed overnight near Dublin… …then headed over to the west coast where I will be for the next couple of… Read more
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
Old Town Bucharest, Romania
It has been a fascinating week here in Old Town Bucharest… There were meetings of the EU Foreign Ministers being held here and most of the delegates and their entourage were staying in my hotel – needless to say, the place has been crawling with secret service! Thankfully, there is… 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
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’.
I largely retired at age 50 when I decided to leave America (where I had been living for the past ten years) and for a decade travelled the world fulltime as a Luxurious Nomad (http://LuxuriousNomad.com), living a life many people only dream of living – 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, England, or Europe), 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…
