Ciao Bella!
It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind adventure in the fashion capital of the world! Milan, oh Milan, how I love thee! You're a city of art, culture, delicious food, and fabulous fashion. What's not to love?
This week was filled with an exciting mix of ballet, shopping, and even a cheeky slice of theatre. It's Wednesday, and as always, I'm ready to spill the tea on my Milan escapades.
Wednesday's Milan Ballet Bliss
Every Wednesday in Milan, my feet hit the cobbled streets, ready for another dose of ballet brilliance. This week, I graced the stage (or, okay, I watched others grace it) at the Teatro alla Scala - La Scala, to all you opera buffs out there. You might recognise this magnificent building from pictures. Well, let me tell you, the inside is just as majestic as the outside! The walls are painted a magnificent shade of crimson, a perfect contrast to my pink tutu! It makes for a stunning backdrop, you must agree?
The performance tonight? Romeo and Juliet - the ultimate tragic love story. There's no more captivating tale for a ballet production, and La Scala truly brought the characters to life! I especially loved the use of light and shadow - it added an extra layer of drama to the storytelling. The costumes were exquisitely detailed, each ballerina with a flowing gown in the most beautiful shades of pastels, adding that romantic air to the whole thing. Of course, I kept it classy with a bright pink tutu. Sometimes it takes a little extra zing to cut through the tragedy.
As I sat in my seat, watching the dancers perform with such passion and precision, it filled my heart with joy. You can really tell how dedicated these artists are, how much they put their hearts into every movement, every gesture. It's inspiring! The show really touched my heart - it was beautiful and heartbreaking all at once.
But my adventure doesn't stop after the curtain falls! It’s off to find a cozy trattoria with friends for some traditional Italian fare and more post-performance chat. It's this social side of my travels that I love the most - sharing my passion for ballet and travelling with lovely, like-minded souls. You never know who you might meet on these trips - and that's always part of the fun.
Trams and Treats: My City Ramblings
To truly immerse myself in the magic of Milan, you gotta explore on foot, or better still, by tram! Italians have a very special connection with their trams. It’s their own version of the London tube, you know. You hear the gentle clanging as they turn corners, and you can practically smell the delicious scent of fresh pastries and steaming cappuccinos in every shop you pass. And the people! The characters you meet on the Milan trams are an experience in themselves - a colourful blend of commuters, students, tourists, and artists. Just the other day, I witnessed a spontaneous tango dance performance right on a packed tram. It was glorious!
This week, my shopping obsession led me down to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - that beautiful glass-covered arcade, built in the 1860s, right in the heart of the city. It's a symphony of exquisite architecture, and every window display is an explosion of fashion. The Italians truly understand how to create an atmosphere, that’s for sure. It’s the most luxurious shopping mall in the world, so I was, of course, there for the pure visual experience - even just watching the shoppers walk past is entertaining enough!
Milan’s street art, it's just the creme de la creme, folks. It’s everywhere! In tiny alleyways, on giant buildings, on street corners, you’ll find it all. I always love hunting down these murals and taking snaps for my Instagram! Every wall feels like a blank canvas waiting for an artist’s touch. And speaking of snaps… let’s not forget the obligatory gelato pictures - my all-time favourite dessert! My new obsession is gelato in pink and white stripes. What's more Milanese than that? And for you coffee lovers out there - the coffee culture in Milan is unmatched! Every cafe is bursting with the aromas of freshly brewed coffee, and each barista treats their craft with genuine respect. It's a joy to be surrounded by such a passionate community of caffeine addicts, if I'm being honest. I’ve become quite addicted to my caffe macchiato in the mornings - such a great pick-me-up. It sets me up for my day of adventures around the city.
From Ballet to the Big Screen: Theatre in Milan
While ballet might be my passion, sometimes even I crave a change of pace. So, this week I took a trip to Teatro Dal Verme. They say theatre in Milan is its own beast. That certainly seemed to be the case with this unique 19th-century building, a beautiful mix of historic elegance and modern flare. The production I caught was an enchanting one, filled with suspense and intrigue. And to top it off, I wore my favourite turquoise tutu - I wanted to bring a little touch of colour to the dramatic affair! It certainly raised eyebrows, I can tell you that much.
Theatrical performances are like miniature lives in action! The characters jump off the stage and take you on their adventures, make you laugh, cry, scream, and jump out of your seats with fright. For someone like me, who adores experiencing stories in their many forms, it’s absolutely exhilarating. And in the heart of Milan, surrounded by passionate artists and enthusiastic audiences, you get a genuine feel for Italian theatre, it's alive with emotion, history, and energy. You leave with the desire to live, to laugh, to create and dream, a little bit of that magic carries through into the real world. And, for a ballerina like myself, a good bit of theatrics helps hone the performing instincts. Who doesn’t like to put on a good show, right?
From Milan, with love,
I could talk for hours about Milan, honestly! It's a city that wraps its arms around you, its charm woven into every cobbled street and canal. But sadly, my Milan adventure has come to an end, at least for this week.
I’m heading back to the UK this weekend, but I'll be back in a couple of weeks for another slice of Italian life! It's always a bittersweet feeling, leaving Milan, but I always leave with my head brimming with new memories and a suitcase full of fabulous finds (I may have bought an extra pair of shoes! Oh, Milan! You tempt me!), a heart full of joy, and a pink tutu (it never leaves me!) ready to dance its way to my next adventure.
I'll keep you all posted, darling, and in the meantime, remember to spread the pink tutu love! 💕
Until next time!
Emma x
