Some Random Popular Posts
A decade in review – and a view to the next…
For a girl who is largely entrenched in the late 19th century much of the time, the thought of it being the year 2020 in a few days is quite astounding! It truly sounds like something from a sci-fi novel. For me personally, this past decade has been one of… Read more
Restoran Karlo Tvrdjava (Fortress)
Dinner with friends up at the Fortress in Novi Sad, watching the sun set over the city… Read more
das Loft – amazing views over Vienna
For dinner, we went to das Loft with the most extraordinary views over Vienna… not to mention the delicious food! I think Donna was wishing the waiter was on the menu… 🙂 Then home to my beautiful Hotel Bristol for a nightcap… …and the tail end of the opera… A… Read more
The Most Beautiful Bookstore in the World – Cărturești Carusel
This particular day I was on a mission… to find what is reputed to be the most beautiful bookstore in the world… and on the way, past some of the most beautiful scenery and buildings… …and here it is! Cărturești Carusel Bookstore… Built in 1903 by a wealthy family of… Read more
London loveliness…
I spent a glorious week in London with friends, and even attending a function at the House of Lords, as one does… These are views from my apartment… they ugraded me from a deluxe room to a five-room apartment with a balcony… …high tea with dear Bethany at The Palace… Read more
Lunch up in the treetops – Sinaia-Busteni-Predeal-Brasov Road Trip 6 of 9
…and we continue… Max took us through beautiful woods and up to a most glorious place for lunch..! …and on we continue… Read more
Boss for lunch, Renaissance for dessert
Since on this McDonald’s trip the intention was not to eat there, we stopped at Boss Cafe for lunch – I love this place! …remember the winery we visited..? …and Renaissance for dessert… Read more
Visiting My Great-Grandfather’s Great-Grandfather!
What an extraordinary day! As you may know, I have been tracing my ancestry and one of the reasons I came to stay in Devon for a couple of months is to investigate and actually (hopefully) find the grave of a particular ancestor and the church in which the family… Read more
Rum, Austria to Lake Iseo, Italy
I didn’t set foot outside the hotel the entire week I was there… It was just magical sitting out on the balcony writing, reading, working… the Alps so extremely close it felt as though one could reach out and touch them… Then, at the end of that week, off 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
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…
