Bonjour mes chéries! It's Wednesday again, which means it's time for another dose of pink tutu magic straight from the heart of Prague! As you all know, this fabulous city is practically whispering my name, its cobbled streets echoing with the rhythm of my pirouettes and the whisper of my tulle skirt.
Iâve been here for a week now, and Iâve been absolutely smitten. Everything here is so romantic and charming! The fairytale castles, the ancient churches, the colourful houses, the smell of freshly baked pastries - I just want to wear a crown of pink roses, twirl down Charles Bridge, and sing "The Sound of Music" at the top of my lungs!
And speaking of twirling⊠my darling tutu, a perfectly pink creation, is getting a serious workout this week. Prague is an absolute haven for dance lovers. Everywhere I turn thereâs a graceful dancer gliding past or a street performance erupting into a burst of music and movement. I've been soaking up every single bit of inspiration, sketching ideas in my little notebook and getting plenty of photos for you all! I just love the way that Pragueâs historical buildings and its artistic spirit are so intrinsically intertwined.
Now, let me tell you all about my adventures in the wonderful world of Prague!
A Parisian Promenade in Prague: An Elegant Lunch at Café Louvre
You simply canât visit Prague without stopping by the legendary CafĂ© Louvre. Itâs one of the cityâs most beloved cafes and has been welcoming distinguished guests since 1902. Just imagine â Albert Einstein and Franz Kafka graced the same tables Iâm sitting at right now! It was the perfect spot to grab a delicious and surprisingly affordable lunch (although my tutu wouldnât let me try any of their mouth-watering cakes - a real sacrifice!).
Cafe Louvre is a beautifully preserved art nouveau gem with an air of Parisian chic and sophistication. I think I've found my new favourite place in Prague - I could spend hours there sipping a cup of coffee and admiring the beautiful paintings on the walls, watching the world go by through the large windows, and observing the people of Prague! The waiters are absolutely charming, I even caught a glimpse of my new tutu muse on one of the balconies while I was lunching - he definitely appreciated the outfit! I swear my darling tutu just shines extra bright when he's around, almost as though he could see its magic!
A Trip Down Memory Lane: The Old Town Square and the Astronomical Clock
Itâs impossible to visit Prague without strolling through the enchanting Old Town Square. This is truly the heart of Prague, filled with stunning buildings and fascinating history. The medieval architecture is just exquisite, the vibrant cobblestone streets bustling with activity. This really is a beautiful place to lose yourself in, as you're likely to be caught up in the romance and magic of Pragueâs history and architecture!
Speaking of which, thereâs a real must-see in the square, the Astronomical Clock! It's absolutely enchanting, its intricate mechanism dating back to the 15th century. The clockâs ornate structure tells the time, the zodiac signs, and even features moving figures representing the virtues and vices, itâs a unique and fascinating sight to behold. If youâre lucky, youâll catch a glimpse of the parade of the apostles during the hour, just make sure youâre near the clock before it strikes!
And to add some pink tulle to my tour of the Old Town, I found a shop that stocked the most amazing, authentically designed traditional Bohemian Czech glass beads. It's a shop that looks straight out of a fairtyale - they would have been the exact kind of shop I would imagine when I was a little girl! It reminded me of a ballet in its own right; all delicate glassware, soft, shimmering lights, and beautiful hand-blown Czech glass beads - I was in my element! The owner, a lovely, elderly woman with sparkling eyes and a kind smile, reminded me of a wise old ballerina. She told me all about the traditional techniques and the rich history behind her art - such fascinating insights into Pragueâs artisan heritage. She gave me the sweetest gift - a beautiful hand-blown pink glass bead, saying that "It would remind you of Prague's sparkle".
I felt very proud when I bought a gorgeous collection of these beautifully-crafted, bright, pink beads. This new piece of Prague jewellery will look amazing attached to the bottom of my tulle skirt! This is why I love travel, discovering something new each day and seeing how the most everyday objects can inspire me!
A Journey into Prague's Artistic Heart: A Magical Evening at the Estates Theatre
This weekâs adventure wouldn't be complete without experiencing a piece of Prague's thriving theatre scene! Now, if you've heard the saying that âmusic and theatre are in the blood of the Czechs,â you know this is a city that appreciates the arts! You really feel the passionate appreciation that Prague has for the theatre - they understand how vital these arts are. It's really inspiring to see the public supporting the Arts.
The Estates Theatre (NĂĄrodnĂ Divadlo), the Czech Republic's premier opera house, has had such an incredible history; It's where Mozart had the world premiere of his opera, 'The Marriage of Figaro,' in 1786, now I feel I have to go to the premiere of my ballet soon - this is inspiration! It's a magnificent building, inside and out. I feel the spirit of the history within its walls every time I walk past - and my heart just skips a beat.
There's something special about walking into a building with so much history - to me, itâs like being backstage before a show! I found myself transported to a world of waltzing ballerinas, swooning tenors, and dramatic operas! But this time I was taking on the role of a silent but enthralled spectator, savouring the magic of this beautiful building. This city just pulls you in, as I wandered around Prague I caught myself imagining Mozart and other musical icons standing in these very rooms. It's such a captivating city; you really have to see it for yourself to feel its enchantment.
My evening was spent in the Estates Theatre with Mozartâs âThe Marriage of Figaroâ. And let me tell you, the music was simply breathtaking, making my heart sing! Itâs amazing how an opera like "The Marriage of Figaro", even though it was written in the 18th century, is just as poignant and timeless as the stories of all those great romantic ballets I love.
There's something truly magnificent about being a spectator at a theatrical performance, the hushed, reverent quiet of the theatre audience just before the curtains rise and the beautiful energy of anticipation as you await the first notes of the music. I absolutely love the sheer thrill of the beginning of every performance! I even stood on my tiptoes as I glanced down at the magnificent ornate balcony at the front of the theatre; the balcony felt very royal to me! It's that magical element that makes every trip to the theatre or the ballet unique - It just feels so important!
The City's Sweet Delights: A Spot of Sweet Indulgence in a Little Chocolate Heaven!
It goes without saying that, with all the dancing and exploring, a girlâs gotta fuel up on a little something sweet! Pragueâs culinary scene is practically begging me to indulge! So, I went on a sugar-fuelled odyssey to indulge in some of the city's irresistible delicacies. Pragueâs medieval squares have dozens of gorgeous little chocolatiers. The most elegant chocolaterie, in my opinion, is the Pragueâs legendary âThe Chocolate Museumâ. The chocolates there are just exquisite and the dĂ©cor was absolutely charming and delightful. It reminded me of an elaborate, very beautiful ballet.
And in a true âEmma from Derbyshire' moment, I ordered the largest, sweetest dessert on offer! It was made of exquisite chocolate ganache layered with strawberries and a gorgeous dollop of creamy vanilla. It was utterly indulgent, but every last crumb was so worth it! After all, you don't have a tutu that perfect and pink without maintaining an equally luxurious sweet tooth! I just canât get enough of these amazing sweets! My tutus may have changed, but this desire for chocolate always stays the same.
I tried a taste of every single chocolate, each flavour more delicious than the last, it was the ultimate sugar rush. They say that life is about balance, so maybe next time I can have a light dinner and indulge in even more chocolate!
Fashionable Favourites: Shopping Spree in the Prague Style!
Letâs face it - a pink-loving ballerina just has to experience the vibrant shops of Prague. I always feel my tutu is the best fashion accessory you can ever own, especially in a place like Prague - itâs the most colourful and inspiring place. Prague is packed with boutiques filled with stunning, original designs - perfect for creating an all-new Prague tutu collection!
With the gorgeous shops in Prague, every window feels like a stage waiting for its performer. There are some gorgeous designers here and some fantastic styles. As I looked through the array of vintage finds and contemporary creations I knew this was a must-do part of any pink-tutu-loving trip. I picked up an absolute bargain; a brand new gorgeous bright pink tulle ballet skirt and a beautiful vintage Czech jewellery piece - perfect to wear at my next show! Prague really is an extraordinary place to find pieces to make your wardrobe complete - I canât imagine my outfits without adding these touches of the beauty I've found here in Prague.
My hunt for fabulous fashions has just begun - watch out world, Emma's tutu is coming for Pragueâs fashion scene! Iâve just begun my journey through the Prague shops and Iâve already discovered so much, so much to explore, so many beautiful, stylish things to find and fall in love with!
My Top Three Pink Tutu Picks For A Fashionable Prague Escape!
It would be wrong of me to come to this fabulous fashion city and not offer you some tips, so, with my top three finds in mind, letâs create the perfect look!
Pink-tutu meets Bohemia - It wouldnât be a Prague-inspired look without adding a little Bohemia charm! This is one of my favourite looks for this beautiful city. You can start with an off-white or pastel dress; add an eye-catching detail in the form of some Bohemian jewellery.
Tulle and Twirl Power: Nothing makes me feel like a Parisian princess than a beautifully layered tutu with a pair of sleek, smart, black pumps. Try pairing a black jumpsuit with a bold tutu for a look thatâs equal parts Parisian chic and ballerinas style! Add a dash of elegance and a vintage brooch for a more vintage look - just be careful not to hide your perfect tutu from the world!
Fashion Forward & Fairytale Gorgeous: This look channels that glamorous fairytale feel, a delicate pink dress is a perfect canvas for my pink tutu; throw on a bright, coloured statement blazer to complete the look. Add a dash of sparkle with some silver jewellery - but donât be afraid to have some fun with some gorgeous bright pink colours to create your own little princess style.
Until next time! Don't forget to check back in next Wednesday for another instalment in my Pink Tutu Prague diary - Iâll be taking you on my journey to the Prague Castle, as well as the best hidden treasures that this wonderful city has to offer. And remember, let your light shine - letâs get everyone wearing pink tutus!
Keep twirling, keep shining, keep sparkling, Emma x
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