Some Random Popular Posts
Exploring Vicenza and surrounds
It was a foggy morning when I headed off in the direction of Vicenza to see what I could discover… Even Italian tractor drivers pull out in front of you and behave like ‘Italian drivers’! There were mansions like this out in the middle of fields… …and this lady wasn’t… Read more
Out for a spin in Iceland…
First job for the morning – packing Harry Hyundai, ready for our adventures, with things such as: Water Phone gadgets and power cable Extra jacket Hiking sticks Map (the physical kind – remember them?) Tripod Small backpack Protein bars Hand sanitiser wipes Camera batteries Additional power pack for phone Eyeliner and… Read more
Historic Helmshore Textile Mill
Best laid plans… I was supposed to essentially land in Liverpool, collect my car from storage, and then catch the boat over to the Isle of Man – only the boat broke… So, I decided to do some exploring… Helmshore Mills is essentially two mills built in Helmshore, Lancashire. Higher Mill was built… Read more
Iceland Ring Road Adventure – the beginning…
Leaving home (aka my lovely hotel where everyone is taken such wonderful care of me), first stop is filling up the gas tank… Since anything within about a 3-4 hour radius of the hotel was doable for a day trip or two, I decided to essentially drive for about four… Read more
Kirkstall Abbey Museum
From the first time I saw the Abbey Museum on a documentary, I have wanted to visit… and so, on a lovely clear, crisp morning, I headed off… Across the road are the Abbey ruins – I wasn’t up to exploring those all in the same day, but might make… Read more
Christmas in Vienna
A beautiful day here in Vienna so I decided to catch a taxi to the other side of the city centre, go for a wander, and then enjoy a carriage ride for a few hours, meandering through the beautifully decorated streets of Vienna… …BUT, the day turned out to be… Read more
Museum of Leonardo da Vinci
An extraordinary outing – going for a walk to find the Museum of Leonardo da Vinci – and the museum was only part of the extraordinary day! It began with calling in to a pharmacy on the way – that was operating as a pharmacy before Leonardo da Vinci was even… Read more
Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and the Baptistry of St John
It was truly amazing even walking toward this iconic cathedral There are countless videos, books, etc on how the dome was constructed, so I won’t reiterate the details here – but this is what Wikipedia has to say, in case this area is new to you: “Florence Cathedral, formally the… Read more
Snagov Monastery, Romania
Our next destination is Snagov Monastery, located on an island at the northern end of Snagov Lake… …but first a short detour to another monastery… …and a bite of lunch… This is my friend, Adrian… …and it’s a good thing Adrian knew where he was going – finding this place… 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…
