Bonjour, my darlings!
It's Emma here, back from a delightful whirlwind adventure in the enchanting city of Prague, and you'll never guess what I was up to – tutus, naturally!
This week, on Wednesday, I whisked myself away to the beautiful city of Prague for a delightful blend of ballet, shopping, and of course, more tutus!
Now, I know what you're thinking. “Prague, ballet, and tutus…Emma, where on earth are you going with this?!” Fear not, my loves, I’ve got it all figured out. You see, the Prague State Opera, nestled within the heart of the city, is home to some of the most exquisite ballet performances you could imagine.
With my little pink tutu carefully packed and a touch of Parisian chic added to my wardrobe, I set off on the journey, arriving at my charming hotel in Prague, The Mandarin Oriental, complete with a fairytale view of the Charles Bridge. It truly felt like I had stepped into a vintage fairytale!
A Day Filled with Elegance and Culture
The next day, a vibrant and exhilarating schedule lay before me! I began the morning with a session of "Ballet de Paris", a local dance school nestled amidst Prague's cobblestone streets. It was wonderful, even more exciting as the school boasts over 150 years of ballet heritage. Now, it is always a delightful experience to learn new techniques from a local school, seeing how other countries interpret the classic forms of ballet and adapting them to the nuances of their own heritage. My fellow dancers, although some of them were not wearing tutus, welcomed me warmly into their class. You know how I love making new friends - it is especially lovely to connect with dancers across the world. The class ended with a series of graceful pirouettes and graceful jumps – and naturally, a hearty dose of tutus!
Afterwards, I decided to take advantage of the day and immerse myself in Prague’s rich artistic and historical treasures. The iconic Charles Bridge, an embodiment of Prague's architectural grace and charm, beckoned. Imagine the backdrop, cobblestones echoing beneath your dainty steps, the air brimming with the scent of street performers playing traditional Bohemian music, and the graceful outlines of the Charles Bridge against a breathtaking sunset. What a way to begin a ballet-themed adventure, my dears!
But the true treasure, the jewel of my Prague adventure, awaited me in the evening at the Prague State Opera. Dressed to the nines, of course, in a beautiful lavender tutu with delicate pink flowers, I found myself swept away by a performance that transported me to another world, a world of intricate dance and captivating emotions. My heart soared as I watched each dancer gracefully glide across the stage. It was a symphony of movement, grace, and storytelling all at once. They made it all look so effortless, it seemed to float without gravity, as if each dancer had mastered the art of levitation. The entire atmosphere was filled with pure magic and captivating beauty. Oh, the music! It transported me to another dimension. The emotions flowed so freely, as each dancer poured their heart and soul into their performance.
The rest of the evening, I dined upon decadent Prague treats while watching the world pass by, marvelling at the energy of this remarkable city. I know, you're thinking it: "Pink tutu, ballet, Prague...you're so lucky!" I must say, my love for all things ballet is infectious, and every trip allows me to inspire more and more people to step into the magical world of pink tutus. It truly does make the world a more beautiful place!
Shop, Indulge, and Be Inspired
And of course, no journey would be complete without indulging in a touch of Prague's delightful shopping scene! The next day, I began my adventure with a hearty breakfast at the renowned Cafe Louvre. Founded in 1902 and known for its beautiful Art Nouveau architecture, this place was full of vibrant artistic energy! After savouring the classic Czech pastry (they make the most incredible cinnamon pastries in Prague, a must-have!) I headed into the bustling Old Town square to explore the quaint boutiques and independent designers nestled amidst the historic streets.
Prague’s atmosphere is so wonderfully romantic, inspiring. Even the quaint and slightly quirky boutiques seem to carry a touch of French elegance. You could easily mistake them for vintage shops on Rue de Seine. There, amongst the handcrafted ceramics, hand-painted treasures, and beautifully embellished scarves, I was lucky enough to find the most gorgeous collection of silk flower arrangements to adorn my tutus. They even have the most stunning butterfly clips! Can you believe it? They truly complemented my existing pink tutu collection perfectly. The boutique owner even helped me assemble a charming collection of blush-coloured tulle for the latest in vintage tutus! So, as always, my bag was filled with delightful treasures, perfect additions to my already vast tutu collection, making it ever bigger and ever more stylish. (You have to understand, shopping is in my blood! If you knew what an early shopper I am, you’d be in awe. It takes skill! And some tutus, obviously!)
A Touch of Bohemian Magic
And naturally, I didn’t leave without soaking up some more of the Bohemian culture. That’s the beauty of being a ballet blogger – you see the beauty in all of life’s things, be it ballet, music, or exploring the historical and charming heart of Prague! I wandered through the charming alleys, past cobbled squares, and beneath the iconic astronomical clock. There was such an extraordinary aura around me. You see, Prague's atmosphere is something special; a kind of romantic whimsy, a touch of ancient fairytale magic, which makes me think that the city has to be the ideal place to embrace pink tutus with wild abandon!
Travel by Train, with a Pink Tutu!
But then it was time to make my journey back to the UK. There is something uniquely magical about the charm of train travel. I don't mind admitting, I'm a true railway romantic. So of course, I travelled back on a glorious train ride from Prague to London. Now, I can just imagine some of you shaking your heads! Why bother with a train when you can take a plane, some of you are asking yourselves. The truth is, train journeys provide a lovely dose of inspiration and adventure – I tend to do some of my best work while observing my fellow passengers on trains, sketching down fashion designs, or jotting down ideas for upcoming blog posts.
Imagine – pink tutu, elegant luggage, vintage travel case, and a beautiful, grand railway carriage filled with history, charm and perhaps the occasional glamorous chap wearing a well-fitting suit and a bow tie – and of course, no train trip would be complete without a bit of romanticism.
My journey back from Prague is an adventure that continues to inspire my vision for the tutu universe. From whimsical pink creations to vintage silk ballet shoes and elegant train travel - life is a beautiful, balletic journey, and it is filled with so much inspiration to capture and share!
Follow my pink tutu adventure at www.pink-tutu.com!
