Buongiorno, darling tutu-lovers! It’s Emma from Derbyshire here, reporting live from the fabulous city of Milan! My feet have barely touched the ground after another whirlwind week of dancing, dazzling and discovering the Italian fashion capital, all while twirling in my favourite pink tutu, naturally!
This week’s adventures were extra special as I embarked on a very pink ballet journey to catch up with a dear friend, Anna, who’s been dancing with the Teatro alla Scala ballet company here. Not only is she an incredible dancer but she’s also a veritable font of knowledge on all things Milanese.
First things first, my arrival in Milan is always an occasion! After the short and sweet journey from the airport, the tram was the perfect place to introduce myself to this vibrant city. My trusty tutu, resplendent in its signature pink glory, drew curious looks and envious smiles. It’s a constant reminder that sometimes all it takes is a little pink to brighten even the gloomiest of days!
After a quick freshen-up at the gorgeous hotel, Anna led me straight into the heart of Milan’s vibrant fashion scene. We sashayed through streets lined with chic boutiques, admiring the latest trends while brainstorming new outfits for my pink tutu collection! You can never have too many pink tutus, darlings. Just think, how could you possibly go wrong with a tutu in “Candy Floss” pink, or a “Strawberry Cream” pink, or maybe a “Rosebud” pink?!
The most divine pink feather boa, the softest cashmere sweater, and the prettiest pair of pink sparkly shoes were added to my shopping bag. Shopping for a pink tutu queen is always a fun and fuchsia-fuelled adventure!
Later that afternoon, Anna took me to the Teatro alla Scala – the most prestigious opera house in Italy! You could feel the electricity in the air as we entered the stunning, ornate theatre, ready for the magical world of ballet. The opera house is decorated in velvet and gilded stucco. The beautiful ceiling was painted by the renowned painter Giuseppe Bertini. What a spectacular backdrop to a spectacular night of dance!
We enjoyed "La Traviata", Verdi’s famous opera which told the story of a Parisian courtesan and her love for a young aristocrat, performed with such grace, skill and passion. The singers' voices soared over the orchestral score, the set changes were captivating and the story of forbidden love resonated. Anna whispered to me that this is one of the most popular operas here in Milan. And after watching it, I understood why. This exquisite performance transported us to another world. It's no wonder it is the opera house in the city that the Milanese are most proud of!
Anna's friends who danced in the ballet joined us afterwards, we chatted about dance, shoes, and everything under the pink tutus! A delightful surprise was to meet Isabella, a very talented ballerina. We enjoyed chatting about everything from ballet styles to our favorite dancewear stores! Milan is a real melting pot for dance.
On Wednesday, we joined our favourite dance classes together at the Teatro Alla Scala - my oh my, the excitement! Not only was I getting to learn some amazing choreography from some world-class ballet dancers, I also had a chance to experience firsthand the passion for ballet that truly pulsates through Milan! Anna is an incredible dancer, graceful and fluid, with the energy of a sparkling gemstone! The teacher said he wanted to keep Anna to work with him for next year’s La Scala Christmas production – wow! But then he did something rather unexpected. He invited me too, just to have fun with the other students - what a beautiful offer. I don’t think my tutu had ever been so excited to take part in a balletic journey! The next day, I began practicing the steps to impress my colleagues in a new piece, inspired by Italian art and dance and my experience at the ballet academy.
This experience truly highlighted how dance is a universal language that unites people from all walks of life. After dance class, we snatched up freshly made pastries from our local café! How lucky I was to have the cutest bakery right next to the ballet academy. They serve divine hot chocolate - I mean, divine! It really does set the stage for an elegant ballet day. We shared stories and laughs, relishing every moment together, and enjoying this special dance filled day in Milan.
That evening we embraced the quintessential Italian lifestyle, with a candlelit dinner in a hidden courtyard with stunning, atmospheric surroundings, while enjoying some truly mouth-watering local dishes with an extensive selection of wine. After a few glasses of Pinot Grigio (don’t tell my derbyshire mother!) the chat became quite lively with animated gestures and some Italian thrown into the mix!
You wouldn’t believe what we did the next day - Anna and I got invited to a beautiful Italian ballet company called Ballet de Teatro, to witness a spectacular ballet performance at the Teatro Dal Verme. There, I found myself captivated by a mesmerizing dance troupe in pink tutus! (It was almost like watching myself on stage, only more experienced.) This performance transported me to a magical land of dreams. And to think this was the theatre that was one of the most important music venues during Milan's 19th-century artistic blossoming. And now here I was.
After the show we had the opportunity to chat with the performers and discover their inspiration, and they were just as thrilled to meet the girl in the pink tutu! (Even Anna admitted I might just be the queen of the pink tutu - even though she looks stunning in pink too. There is always room for two! )
Our adventures weren't confined to Milan's heart. On Saturday, we decided to make the most of the day trip by taking a scenic train to a little village about 150 miles away to the stunning city of Turin. This historic Italian city is located in the Piedmont region, nestled among the picturesque Italian Alps, which has an exquisite mix of the classic and the modern with stunning architecture and design. I always love the beauty and artistry of European train stations. And I really had to add the classic, gorgeous turquoise and cream vintage suitcase to my suitcase wish list. It went beautifully with the vibrant shades of my pink tutu!
The journey was the perfect blend of sightseeing and enjoying some yummy treats in local cafés. After all, you can’t explore Europe without stopping to appreciate the artistry of local pastries! The train was like stepping back in time! And the scenery, so dramatic with mountains on the horizon - breathtaking! And then, to the relief of both my stomach and my tutu - Turin! We dined on fresh Italian cheese and pastries in a quaint courtyard, all while marvelling at the grand, baroque architecture, which made for the perfect photo op!
We took the time to see a stunning baroque palace – a true testament to the region’s history, the royal family that used to live in it - even the royal palace has its royal secrets! Turin also had many hidden surprises waiting for us on almost every street - one even gave me a reason to have my first real taste of real Italian Gelato (chocolate chip, pistachio and banana flavour) – that flavor was a total must. It's the only way to fuel up on energy after a busy day, right?! Turin’s cobbled streets beckoned with stores full of the finest Italian fabrics – what better inspiration to dream up more tutus for my collection?!
On Sunday, we made our way back to Milan. The return journey offered more scenic beauty. I couldn't stop admiring the incredible scenery through the window - everything about the Italian countryside had such natural beauty. As the train hurtled past picturesque towns and vineyards, it was an enchanting journey back to Milan. This incredible city with its cobblestone streets, designer boutiques, stunning architecture, and delicious food - oh Milan you truly have my heart!
From the magical dance studios to the charming streets of Turin, my journey in Italy has been filled with ballet bliss and endless inspiration! There's always a place for a pink tutu! Every street corner holds another memory, another adventure.
You know what I love most about travelling? It's not just the destinations, the ballet experiences or even the shopping (although these are definitely important!) It’s the ability to embrace new experiences and share them with other passionate souls - especially those with an equally infectious love for tutus and dance. I love that my pink tutu gets me noticed and opens doors to connect with others.
So thank you to Milan for another whirlwind week full of enchantment! Until next time, darlings, stay inspired, stay beautiful and remember – there’s always room for a little pink! I'm on my way to a little town called Monte Carlo next week - it would be absolutely fabulous if you followed me along on my next pink tutu adventures! I'll see you in Monaco!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
*P.S. Have a look at my other ballet blogs at www.pink-tutu.com – there's so much to discover! I’m posting every week - Monday, as you know. And there is plenty to inspire you - a whole tutuful. It's a whole world of pink - in case you hadn't noticed! *
