Some Random Popular Posts
Exploring Tsarevo and Surrounds… 3 of 3
…continued… …and a gelato – just what was needed! A snail house? This was once the Communist leader’s beach retreat area… …and this is Sophia, the rose bush I bought. She now lives on my balcony, we chat each morning when I give her a drink… …and back… Read more
Sunny day exploring Cornwall…
St Michael’s Mount, the extraordinary Minack Theatre, Lands End and more… These are the highlights from yet another glorious day exploring… Starting in our lovely manor as the sun was beaming in the beautiful bay window, Karen and I met up and the headed off… …and in case we were… Read more
Pitsligo Castle
The Pitsligo Castle was built around 1424. Ownership later passed to the Forbes family of Druminnor. The last Forbes of Pitsligo supported both the 1715 Rising and Bonnie Prince Charlie’s 1745 rebellion. After the Stuart defeat at Culloden, Forbes was forced to flee for his life and was declared an outlaw,… Read more
WWII art treasures stolen by the Nazis and found in this cave by the ‘Monuments Men’
If you have been following my travels for many years, you may recall an event I went to when I lived in Charleston, where I met Robert Edsel, the author of the “Monuments Men” book, as well as several of the people who starred in the film, such as Bill… Read more
First Class Overnight Train from Vienna to Roma
Ostia, here I come! My wonderful limousine company picked me up from the lovely hotel in which I stayed while in Vienna and deposited me at Wien Hauptbahnhof, more commonly known as Wien HBF – the main train station in Vienna. …and btw, those of us old enough to know what… Read more
Cavazzone in the Italian hills of Viano
Beautiful drive up into the hills near Modena (home of the most glorious balsamic vinegar)… ~ Bella Read more
Romanian Traditional Dancing Street Party
On the weekend, I was treated to a wonderful experienece… Below my window, a street party complete with traditional dancing, traditional line dancing, and in between their sets a wonderful saxaphone player… Photos and videos below: Read more
First Outing in Skopje
It is a magnificent day here in Skopje, North Macedonia, for my first outing to explore the immediate vicinity. I had four objectives for the adventure: ✔️ Buy a local SIM card (15GB for 30 days for €20) ✔️ Buy Coke Zero (that’s my caffeine fix) ✔️ Buy alcohol (in… Read more
Deer Abbey
Finally off exploring Scotland – first stop: Deer Abbey, built in 1219. Deer Abbey was Cistercian monastery founded in 1219. The abbey is associated with the Book of Deer and for more than 300 years, the Cistercian monks seem to have lived a quiet and contemplative life until the… 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…
