Ciao bella! Emma here, back from another exciting adventure in the heart of Italy, Milan! It's been a whirlwind of beautiful ballet, fabulous fashion, and delicious gelato, all served with a sprinkle of Italian charm, naturally. Let me tell you, Milan knows how to live!
It’s 11:00am here in my hotel room. As always, I’m dressed in my pink tutu. This one is a delicate lavender shade with a swirl of hand-stitched silver sequins, perfectly matched to my shimmering lavender top and sparkly silver shoes. Today's the day for exploring the Milan fashion scene, so I'm bringing my A-game!
Before we set off on our fashionable quest, I want to take a moment to say hello to all of you wonderful souls who’ve tuned in today. I know many of you join me every Monday for my Milan blog. Thank you all for joining my journey – every single comment, every like, it warms my heart like a good cup of Italian cappuccino! It makes my heart flutter to know that you’re with me on this fabulous adventure. It reminds me, every Monday morning, that we’re all in this together – you, me and the pink tutus.
Travel Inspiration: From Derbyshire to Milan by Tram and Train
My journey to Milan started, as it always does, back home in Derbyshire. You might think getting from the Peak District to the bustling metropolis of Milan is a big journey, and you’d be right. But the truth is, any journey becomes an adventure when you wear a pink tutu. Let’s just say my journey wasn't your average commuter's trip.
I opted for the train, of course, as there’s nothing quite like the romantic sway of a train journey through the countryside. I did consider hopping on the tram first, which I often do around Derbyshire. The gentle rocking motion is great for warming up those ballet muscles. Unfortunately, our local Derbyshire trams don’t quite extend to Italy, but the dream lives on!
My trusty pink backpack was, of course, brimming with the essentials - my notebook, my pink tutu, a few sparkly ballet shoes (never too many) and some fresh travel tissues (you know me, always prepared for those inevitable spontaneous ballerina leaps!)
Anyway, as I settled onto my comfortable train carriage seat, with my pink tutu delicately draped across my legs, the fellow passengers were simply charmed. It wasn’t long before they were sharing stories of their own experiences with ballet. A woman sitting opposite me reminisced about her teenage ballet dreams, while a gentleman shared a delightful anecdote about a time he tripped over his shoelace, while trying to perform the grand jeté! It was all so heartwarming, and it made me realise that there's a ballerina hidden inside every one of us.
By the time I reached Milano Centrale, my heart was singing, and my head was full of ideas for a new tutu! After all, Milan, the city of fashion, is where you go when you want inspiration to transform your dreams into reality.
Fashion Fix: A Pink Tutu Shopping Spree in the Fashion Capital
Speaking of reality, the very first thing I did after grabbing a gelato (chocolate flavour, obviously!), was to set off on a whirlwind shopping spree. Now, don’t get me wrong, shopping is an art, it's not just about buying clothes – it's about finding that perfect garment that sings to your soul, that says “This is me!” and in my case, that also happens to be a brilliant shade of pink.
So, I wandered through the historic streets, past cobblestone squares and grand, towering buildings. My pink tutu bounced along with me, catching the eyes of passing fashionistas and tourists alike. It wasn't just a dress; it was a statement. It was my fashion manifesto, proclaiming to the world, "I am a pink tutu enthusiast!"
I hit the flagship stores of the biggest fashion houses: Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Prada. Their window displays were stunning, showcasing the latest trends, but honestly, I was too busy dreaming up a new pink tutu to be fully distracted. They've got some fabulous fabrics you know - silks so soft they felt like a feather against my skin, brocades that shimmered in the Italian sun, and fabrics woven with delicate threads of sparkle. Just think of what I could make with these! Of course, I was on a mission to find the perfect material to design my new, one-of-a-kind pink tutu!
And finally, I stumbled upon it - a vibrant fuchsia fabric. The moment I touched it, I knew. It was perfect. It was exactly the pink that had been living rent-free in my dreams.
Theatrical Thrills: An Evening at Teatro alla Scala
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the city, I knew that I was in for a real treat: A performance at the Teatro alla Scala, Milan’s prestigious opera house, which is a truly iconic landmark. You've simply got to put this on your list when visiting Milan!
The entire evening was a breathtaking symphony of artistry. It was Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake. Every time I see it, the whole experience gets me in a nostalgic mood. My favourite is the "white swan" pas de deux in Act II - it’s an exquisite portrayal of love, purity and yearning. So much drama in the movements.
Of course, I’ve done a Swan Lake myself many times in Derbyshire - as the White Swan. The story of the magical swans and the prince really tugs on my heartstrings, but I’ll be honest - those long legs look amazing on professional dancers. As we know, a good, strong turnout is crucial!
After the final bows, a wave of energy still coursed through my body, a feeling I only experience when watching truly inspired artistry. The music had taken me to another place, a world where every gesture and step is poetry.
It was during one of the intermissions, where you’re typically treated to music and sometimes an exciting ballet interlude, that I was totally absorbed in conversation with a fellow ballerina. Her passion was infectious! Turns out she’s from here, and a member of the ballet company! The energy in this city is definitely catching!
Later, walking home in the cool evening air, with a new fuchsia pink tutu shimmering in my mind’s eye, I realised just how incredibly fortunate I am to share this experience with all of you. My ballet and travel journeys, fuelled by passion and fuelled by you.
Join me next week as I take you to the vibrant La Scala Square for a magical pink-tutu experience in this beautiful city, and let's share the love for pink tutus and all things ballerina.
Until next Monday, darlings!
Emma x
