Some Random Popular Posts
Bignor Roman Villa built between 190 A.D. and 290 A.D.
I went out exploring this morning in search of the Bignor Roman Villa that was built only two hundred years after Christ, and was discovered in 1811 when farmer, George Tupper hit part of the stonework with his plough. By 1815 the remains of an impressive Roman villa had… Read more
Castelli Romani
A few weeks ago, my friend Lehan and I drove up to Castelli Romani – in particular to Lake Nemi… This was perhaps one of my most favourite places in my entire trip to Italy… …by the way, even the signs for deer here look very “Italian”! LOL! Read more
Pinocchio’s Oak of the Witches
Off waaaaaaaay into the Italian countryside in search of a tree? But not just any tree… On the 7th of March, the 600-year old oak tree known as the “Quercia di Pinocchio” and located in the park of Villa Carrara in San Martino in Colle (Capannori, Lucca) became a national… Read more
Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace
No sooner did I pick up the keys to my beautiful apartment, I dropped my luggage, repacked, and was off across the country… First stop after an overnight rest-break part-way, was collecting the car I just bought – a black Volvo C70 convertible, with black leather interior and wood trim… Read more
Goodbye Bulgaria, hello again to glorious Romania!
Bulgaria has certainly been an ‘interesting’ experience. I was chatting with Adrian, my friend and driver, about the differences between Bulgaria and Romania, and how I find it difficult to reconcile the two. The two countries could not be further apart, yet they lie next to each other on opposite… 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
Budapest Citadella and Historic Central Cafe
[Simply use your mouse or fingers to move around this 360 image] Overlooking the beautiful River Danube, the Citadella (the English translation of the Hungarian word for citadel) is perched on the top of Gellért Hill in Budapest. My first intention was to stop in at the restaurant part way up the hill… Read more
Swiss Alps Rail Journey – Zurich to Budapest (Part 1 of 2)
Words nor photos can express the majesty of this trip… but I will do my best with what follows of my eleven-hour rail trip through three countries… Starting the day leaving my beautiful hotel (where I really felt as though I was visiting family instead of staying in a hotel),… Read more
Fabulous day exploring a foundry, two castles, a Saxon village, a 13th century pub and Egyptian mummies!
What a magnificent day! I needed to go for a drive to clear the cobwebs out of my head and managed to find and explore some fascinating places! I needed to be home by around 3:30pm or just a little after to take care of a bunch of work and… 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…
