Hello my lovelies! 💖
This week's blog post is all about Prague, the glorious city of a hundred spires, charming cobbled streets, and enough beer halls to drown a ballet dancer (in beer, obviously, not in water). 🍺
As you know, I live for two things: pink tutus and ballet. So, it's no surprise that I decided to take my latest ballet-inspired adventure to Prague, a city steeped in history and as enchanting as a Tchaikovsky score. 🎼
My journey began with a gloriously sunny morning in Derbyshire, where I woke up feeling positively en pointe about the adventure ahead. I donned my newest pink tutu – a confection of tulle and frills so delightful, it could make even the most cynical of critics smile. 🩰
Now, I'm a bit of a romantic when it comes to travel, so naturally, I chose to arrive in Prague via train. I always say, "It's not the destination, it's the journey!" Plus, I get to wear my most comfy ballet shoes for the entire trip! 😉
Speaking of comfy, Prague was more than just an aesthetic dream. It was an actual, physical dream, especially the hotel I stayed in, the absolutely exquisite Hotel U Zlatého jelena (The Golden Deer). Its name, you see, was a total ballerina delight! My room was a little slice of fairytale, and even featured a bathtub the size of a swimming pool, which is perfect for relaxing my dancer's muscles after a long day of exploring the city. 🛁
My first stop? Shopping, obviously! I spent hours perusing the shops around the Old Town Square, and picked up a stunning, pink-feather boa (perfect for a ballet performance under the stars!), some delightful little crystal ballerina shoes, and a couple of très chic Parisian hats that would make even a ballerina extraordinaire do a double take. 👒
Prague, dear readers, is not just about cobbled streets and romantic views, it's also about food! After a delicious lunch of potato soup, hearty Czech stew, and, of course, some fresh, crunchy pastries (I can't resist!), I settled down for the real highlight of my trip: a ballet performance!
Now, the Czech National Ballet has a reputation for excellence, and let me tell you, it truly lived up to the hype! They danced with such grace and elegance that I almost en pointe-d my way onto the stage to join them!
The show, The Sleeping Beauty (and don't you just love that fairytale vibe?), was simply exquisite. The costumes were breathtaking, the music was sublime, and the dancers, my lovelies, were phenomenal! I mean, have you seen the costumes they wear for the "Blue Bird Pas de Deux"?! The beautiful blue tutu! Swoon
But let's talk about something else entirely for a moment... tutues. As a pink tutu enthusiast, I had to do some research into the history of the ballet garment I cherish most. You know, that graceful symbol of feminine beauty and athleticism that, as it turns out, hasn't always been around!
Before the early 1800s, ballet dancers wore much longer skirts that resembled Victorian dresses. Seriously! Can you imagine?! Then, some genius decided that shorter skirts would help show off the amazing athleticism of the dancers, and voilà! The tutu was born! (Now, if only they’d invented pink in the 1800s... or tutus made from pink fabric. A girl can dream, right? 😉 )
That evening, after a dreamy stroll along the Charles Bridge (which, by the way, is totally lit up at night, and just as lovely as a fairy-tale), I finished my evening with an utterly delightful ballet class in Prague’s most gorgeous, beautifully decorated, traditional studio. The atmosphere was electric! And, as it happens, I got a standing ovation for a perfect pirouette. The whole class cheered! I’m just so excited, and I had to show everyone my pink tutu, which the entire class loved, of course. 🩰 I guess my mission to have the whole world wearing pink tutus is already underway!
And you know, the class is really helping with all my post-trip leg muscle recovery after so much sightseeing!
To finish up this already rather lengthy post, I’ve got a treat for all you ballet fans! If you’re in Prague, there are a lot of ballet-related places and museums worth a visit. My personal favourites are the fantastic and opulent Národní divadlo (The National Theatre), the Czech Museum of Music with its beautiful collection of ballet costumes, and, of course, the Ballet Národního divadla (The National Theatre Ballet), where you can see spectacular performances by professional ballerinas in beautifully ornamented costumes (just make sure to book in advance, dearies, the shows sell out very quickly!). 💖
And of course, don't forget the delightful The Golden Deer hotel (the Hotel U Zlatého jelena)! As much as I love this city, this is probably the best hotel I've ever stayed in - and you should stay in the top-floor room if you have the opportunity to see Prague's magnificent cityscape, especially after dusk!
Well, my dears, that’s all for now. I'll be back next week with another pink-tutu-filled adventure, perhaps even with a special pink-tutu-themed recipe! Until then, en pointe with grace and style! 💖💖💖
