Buongiorno Bella! It's Emma here, back from a whirlwind week in Milan and I am bursting to share my adventures with you all! Milan, oh Milan, how you stole my heart with your beautiful buildings, chic boutiques, and a vibrant ballet scene that truly swept me off my feet!
I know some of you are thinking, "Milan?! Isn't that all about fashion?" And yes, it definitely is. But it's more than that. For me, it was the perfect combination of culture, beauty, and yes, fashion! My trip was funded by a couple of performances last week in Derbyshire (yes, you did read that right!), which was a bit of a whirlwind, but also an incredible way to kickstart my Milan adventure!
I landed on Sunday and, as always, couldn’t resist a quick change into my new, sparkly pink tutu and a feather boa in the airport – a touch of glamour, don't you think? Milan welcomed me with open arms, its warm evening air a lovely contrast to the cool, English breeze.
The Charm of Milan's Tram Network
First stop: the iconic Duomo. And instead of jumping in a taxi, I decided to embrace the local charm and take the tram! Oh my, the tram journey itself was a spectacle! You’ve got to admit, riding a tram while wearing a pink tutu definitely turns heads! It became quite the conversation starter, with fellow passengers stopping to admire the tulle. They’d say things like, “Bellissima! Fantastico!” Honestly, it made my heart swell.
The Duomo, as always, took my breath away. It was almost like stepping back in time! The intricate architecture, the intricate carvings – it's a masterpiece. And let’s not forget the breathtaking view from the top! That feeling of seeing the whole city spread out below you – pure magic!
Ballet Heaven in Milan: Teatro alla Scala
Milan's cultural heart beat a bit faster as I found myself on the stage at the Teatro alla Scala! Let's just say it was pure ballet bliss!
The Scala is the place where legend and history dance together. I'd been yearning to perform here for months and, honestly, every ballerina dreams of performing in this magnificent theatre, the theatre that whispers of the world's greatest dancers and the stories that unfolded here, from Anna Pavlova to Rudolf Nureyev. It is a theatre that has captured the soul of dance for generations.
After my performance, the real magic began. I found myself seated in the grand auditorium of the Scala, just a few rows back from the stage. The intricate carvings, the golden embellishments – the air itself vibrated with the stories that have unfolded on that stage for centuries.
I saw an absolutely captivating performance of 'Swan Lake.' I lost myself in the ethereal beauty of the White Swan’s movements, and then thrilled to the fiery intensity of the Black Swan. The music swept me away and the costumes... I'm still dreaming about the exquisitely detailed tutus in shades of white and black!
After the performance, I strolled around the grand Teatro, admiring its architectural majesty. There’s a certain elegance and romance that clings to these places, and you feel like you’re walking into another time, where fashion was king, where dancing was divine and where you are part of an unfolding love story in every performance! You can truly feel it in the stone, in the walls and in the whispers that remain in the grand auditorium. It is more than just a building, it's a haven, it's an oasis, and most importantly, it’s a symbol of creativity.
Shopping for SparkleHow could a ballet blogger be in Milan without diving headfirst into the city's fashion scene?
I’ll admit, my heart fluttered a little faster than my ballet steps when I stepped onto the cobblestone streets of Via Monte Napoleone. It felt like I was in a dream, a fashion lover’s paradise! There are designer boutiques lining every street, their window displays more breathtaking than any stage set I’ve seen. The mannequins, dressed in the latest designs, seemed to be beckoning me to step inside and explore. I found myself lost in the world of fashion, with beautiful gowns, luxurious silks, and shoes that could only be described as “works of art.”
As I explored the maze of boutiques, I stumbled across a gem, a tiny shop tucked away off the main street. The store was a riot of colours and sequins. You couldn’t resist getting caught up in the energy of the place! I found the perfect glittery pink tote bag to house all my dance supplies (with extra pockets for those decadent chocolates I can't resist) and a new tutu that had the most sparkly tulle I'd ever seen! It’s so beautiful, I might even consider performing in it, though I think it might distract the audience.
Milan wasn’t all high-end fashion though. One afternoon, I stumbled into a little vintage market just outside the bustling city centre. Amongst the retro furniture and quirky souvenirs, I found a collection of stunning ballet shoes, some with delicate bows and some adorned with glittering jewels! And of course, they were pink. There was no resisting. I snapped up the lot.
Pink Tutu at the Pizzeria
For those who love the romance and elegance of ballet in the day, what's more fabulous than a tutu at a pizzeria at night? The answer? More tutu at a pizzeria.
I'm sure most of you are thinking 'she's crazy' but you just have to understand. Tutus go with everything, they make every event more fabulous, and a pizza place was definitely no exception. When in Milan, it's a sin not to eat pizza, and with a little bit of sparkle, it's definitely the best thing you can do! My little bit of extra glam turned my ordinary pizza lunch into a showstopper and made the delicious meal even more extraordinary. After all, who can resist a bit of ballet in their pizza? I can almost hear the soothing tones of the Italian voice say "bellissima."
More of my Adventures
Milan, you are a treasure. I hope you are ready for another visit, you've already left a big impression on my heart! I've got so much more to tell you, and even more photos to share. From exploring the magnificent architecture of the Duomo to discovering hidden gems in the local markets and even joining a ballet class for a few laughs in a local dance school (which by the way, I'm sharing more details about next week!).
I've also got to tell you all about the exquisite Italian gelato. I don't know if they add some magical ingredient in here or something. Perhaps they sprinkle it with sparkly fairy dust, or some other ingredient I'm not aware of. It’s definitely the most beautiful gelato I've ever had, and so, so delicious, and I know it will feature in more of my future posts!
In the meantime, keep those sparkles shining, stay fabulous and, if you really want to be inspired, grab a pink tutu. Who knows what adventures it might lead you to.
Ciao! Ciao for now!
*See you next Monday on www.pink-tutu.com ! *
Emma xx
[ Photos: Picturesque Milan Duomo, Ballet Stage in the Teatro alla Scala, Emma with a Pink Tutu outside the Duomo, Close Up Shot of a glittery pink bag, pink ballet shoes in a vintage shop, pizza topped with pink flowers, pink tutu adorned with glittery flowers. *A note to the readers: If this were to be posted to www.pink-tutu.com then these photos could be added into the article. ]
