Hello, darlings! It's Wednesday, and that means it's time for another edition of my Pink Tutu Travels! Today, I'm bringing you all the pink-hued, tutu-tastic adventures from my latest ballet escapade: Prague!
This gorgeous city has been calling my name for months, and I just had to answer. There's something so charming and fairytale-like about Prague that I knew it would be the perfect setting for a ballerina like me. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint!
From Derbyshire to Prague in Pink
Now, Iâm all for glamour, but letâs be honest, getting from my little Derbyshire village to Prague is a journey for the most determined of tutuwearers! The first leg was the train ride from Derby to London, which, luckily, meant no pony required (though, wouldnât it have been divine to have made my grand entrance to London's St. Pancras Station on horseback?! A vision in pink, naturally). But for now, it was the train journey, with my latest purchase, a hot pink suitcase that would have made even Barbie blush, sitting proudly in the luggage rack, adding a touch of playful colour to the slightly dreary train journey. And as usual, I chose my outfit with the greatest of care. After all, you canât just hop on a train and head for a grand European city in anything less than your best, right?
A beautiful pink linen dress, complete with a little bow tied around the waist and a splash of glitter at the neckline, and of course, my trusty tulle tutu, perfectly styled to flow just so with every train carriage sway. I think I even had some curious eyes glued to me as I waltzed through the carriage - and not just from those who could tell I was an ardent ballerina.
In London, I grabbed a lovely cup of tea and a croissant â and you wouldnât believe what happened! Itâs actually quite a funny story. While I was tucking in, a group of students, obviously studying for an upcoming exam, spotted my pink outfit and exclaimed with wide eyes, âOh my God! Is that from A Midsummer Nightâs Dream? You look absolutely fabulous!â It took me a minute to work out what they were referring to (as my inner divaâs response was a confident, âOh you know, itâs just my everyday wear, darling!â), and realised they were seeing Shakespeare's ethereal Titania! They told me about their play later on in their college and they asked for tips on performing. The joy they had made my day.
London was just a pitstop â Prague was the destination! A slightly nervous-yet-excited butterfly dance happened within me, all while anticipating that first sight of the Charles Bridge in all its grand glory, while munching on a rather large (pink) candy floss from a charming street vendor.
Prague: The City of Ballet & Beauty
The second I stepped off the train at Praha hlavnĂ nĂĄdraĆŸĂ (the main railway station), I knew this city was meant for me. The cobbled streets, the colorful buildings, the scent of coffee and pastries â everything felt magical. I immediately began my exploration with a gentle waltz through the streets, past cafes, quirky shops, and charming little bridges, all in search of the perfect place to admire the majestic Prague Castle.
The architecture is truly captivating, from the Gothic spires of the Church of Our Lady before TĂœn to the graceful bridges spanning the Vltava River. And just as I thought it couldn't get any more charming, the ballet companies! The city is abuzz with ballet activity. Prague has an active ballet scene and you can find shows everywhere - the Prague National Theatre is truly breathtaking, as well as the beautiful Ć vandovo divadlo. There are also lots of smaller venues showcasing modern, contemporary ballet.
But before delving into the vibrant ballet world of Prague, the shopping⊠darling, the shopping!
A Pink-Filled Shopping Spree in Prague
As any true fashionista knows, a trip isnât complete without some exquisite shopping, so, of course, I set out to conquer Prague's enchanting shopping scene. From charming boutiques on cobblestone streets to grand department stores on lively avenues, the city offers an unparalleled treasure trove of stylish delights.
My first stop had to be the famous Parizska Street â a haven of elegance! Here, I indulged in some serious window shopping, with everything from chic French labels to independent Czech designers gracing the shopfronts. But this street, though fabulous, couldnât quite capture what my soul desired! I needed to hunt for unique gems to adorn my wardrobe. I spent hours wandering through the labyrinthine streets, exploring hidden boutiques and quaint artisan shops. Each shop held a unique treasure â a soft, silky scarf with a hint of sparkle for a special evening, a pair of blush pink gloves for a day at the opera, and a handmade Czech crystal hairpiece, just for me. Oh, and a cute pink teddy bear to be my travel companion, of course!
Speaking of evening gowns â my quest to discover the best dress shops continued the following day. There are more independent stores on NĂĄrodnĂ Street but as luck would have it, I was able to spot the most divine boutique with a stunning window display on DlouhĂĄ Street near StaromÄstskĂ© nĂĄmÄstĂ (Old Town Square)!
You wouldnât believe my excitement when I spotted a pale pink satin ball gown, delicately embroidered with iridescent flowers. A true fairytale dream! But my ballet performance commitments (you know, the one funding my trip!) were at the forefront of my mind. I did try on this dream-dress, though â and it really was perfect. Sadly, I wasnât in the position to indulge, but my excitement gave the assistant, the sweetest older lady called Ivana, the most delighted laugh I've heard all week! We bonded over our mutual love of ballet, with Ivana admitting to her late husbandâs habit of buying her every pink item imaginable (including the pair of bright pink clogs I spied by the cash register).
I did leave Ivanaâs boutique with some other beautiful items, though! Youâll be delighted to know that I found the perfect silky pink scarf for our grand ball performance at the StavovskĂ© divadlo (Estates Theatre) on Wednesday night! The rich, pink, textured velvet of the theater interiors had my heart aflutter. I actually considered ditching the stage entirely and finding the smallest hidden corner to sneak into, to experience this sumptuous setting without a performance in sight. But with my tutu ready for an elegant waltzing routine in our evening performance, my commitment to the beautiful music of Antonin Dvorak in A Night of Operas prevailed!
Prague Ballet - Beyond the Stage
But itâs not all about grand performances, dear friends. I truly immersed myself in the ballet heritage of Prague. After my day of shopping for everything pink, and everything beautifully ballerina, I spent hours wandering through the Czech Museum of Music on a particularly charming Saturday afternoon. There I found out all about the historical link between the musical compositions of Mozart, Dvorak, and the rise of the Czech Ballet Company, as well as learning the intriguing story behind the stunning architecture of Pragueâs theatres. The detail in the theatre auditoriums I discovered made my dancer's heart soar - from gilded moldings and ornate balconies, each unique and brimming with elegant history.
However, youâre wondering if I managed to find a Prague ballet school to get a few extra steps in - and yes, darling! I found a small but stunning class nestled within the cobbled streets. In Prague, even a tiny ballet school has a graceful historical presence and its grand, ornate wood doors were waiting for me when I arrived, slightly out of breath but perfectly poised, ready for my graceful plieÌ and graceful fouetteÌ.
The dance studio had a view over the magical Vltava River and it's hard to believe my beautiful day just kept getting better and better! It was there, under the tutelage of a sweet young teacher who seemed almost giddy to meet another pink-loving dancer (how could I not share that love of my colour!), that I learned all about the history of the beautiful costumes they have in Pragueâs ballet shows - many have been inspired by national costumes of the Czech Republic and have incredible elaborate embellishment and dazzling hand-stitched patterns. They really are quite beautiful! A pink satin fabric sample had me feeling incredibly inspired. You'll have to wait for next weekâs blog for my very special "Prague Pink" design creation!
Tutu Adventures Await: Farewell, Prague!
Well, my darling readers, the time has come to say farewell to this magical city. Prague, you truly have stolen my heart! With memories full of pink, glittery gowns, and charming, elegant streets, I'm leaving with a light skip in my step. Prague is a place that stays with you. This fairytale city is just what my dancerâs heart needed, a haven of grace and charm where pink tutus are as commonplace as a cafeÌÌ terrace.
So what's next, my dears? I can't give you all the details just yet - itâs top secret until next week! All I can tell you is: I'll be riding my trusty steed â that's right, I am back on my trusty pony - and headed towards an enchanting countryside journey. So, be sure to check back in next Wednesday! Iâm dreaming up another perfectly pink look for next weekâs travel blog!
Until then, keep those tutus twirling and stay beautiful, my lovely pink-loving darlings!
Much love,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
