Hey lovelies! It's Emma, back from a whirlwind adventure in Prague, the city of a thousand spires and, to my delighted eyes, a thousand tutu-worthy spots!
As you know, this week is all about Prague and it’s this Wednesday's #pink-tutu.com blog post - you are in for a treat! So, grab a cuppa and your fanciest tutu, and let’s twirl through Prague together…
The Ballet Express!
This time, I opted for a vintage-style, pink velvet tutu with delicate lace trim. Honestly, it's so comfy! It's become my "travel-in-style" choice since I adore the luxurious feel of velvet and lace. For Prague, I added a fluffy pink boa and a straw hat trimmed with matching ribbons, making my ensemble oh-so-stylish!
I’m always saying that ballet and travel are perfect partners - just like ‘Strictly Ballroom’, they give you a chance to strut your stuff! For this trip, I took the train, a romantic journey through the countryside - the scenery was like a ballet itself! Rolling hills and sparkling lakes are perfect for admiring, with dreamy thoughts of ‘Swan Lake’ swirling through my head, or ‘Sleeping Beauty’. A little hint to make it more fabulous; a tutu can also work wonders when adding an extra-special dash of fashion and elegance to your travel wardrobe.
Tutus at the Theatre!
After my railway travels, Prague itself felt like a scene from ‘The Nutcracker’, and with all the elegant buildings and historical architecture, Prague had all the makings of my perfect city, particularly with its rich ballet heritage! This town absolutely adores its dancers! So, when in Prague, do go see some theatre, but be prepared to be enchanted with the passion and art you’ll witness! And of course, we simply can’t leave Prague without admiring its gorgeous national theatre. This glorious building was worth the visit alone! There is something truly magical about a historic ballet venue - you just have to stand for a moment to feel the centuries of ballet history pulsing beneath you! It's so captivating.
And for ballet fans like myself, there's the absolute joy of a live performance! Oh, those graceful movements, the captivating music and those breathtaking costumes - I felt transported to another world for those beautiful, magical moments. And to be in Prague! With the enchanting streets and charming alleyways - what more could a tutu-lover ask for?! It is the stuff of fairytales. It was all just absolutely amazing! And my ballet performance really paid off, allowing me to truly appreciate Prague's cultural offerings! I even bought some Czech crystals for my costume. Can't you just see the sparkle?!
Prague’s Ballet Traditions
You can’t talk about ballet without discussing history and there's just so much tradition in Prague. And while my Tutu adventures involve much more contemporary twists, I had to learn all about Prague's ballet legacy and its heritage! The Czech Republic has a proud ballet heritage, with a tradition dating back to the 18th century, just when the modern ballerina was emerging, so that meant ballet was as popular back then as it is today - it’s certainly one of those fabulous fashions that’s stayed with us! Prague even has the Czech National Ballet - it's an amazing dance institution, a little piece of ballet heaven. Their repertoire includes everything from the classics, like ‘Swan Lake’, and ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, to modern and contemporary works, which you can really see are taking inspiration from these older styles but pushing them forward. This is my kind of ballet, the ones where you feel the whole world is spinning around with the dancer. They had me literally hopping out of my seat! Prague’s love affair with dance goes on - how exciting!
Fashion, Tutus, and the Prague vibe
Let’s chat fashion! Prague itself is a city with so much style. It has a bohemian flair with its cobbled streets, charming squares, and a cool vintage vibe that was very flattering on my tutu, with the bright colours. And you know what? Prague is absolutely the right place to buy your perfect tutu. Seriously, there are just so many amazing vintage stores and boutiques in Prague, and when I am talking vintage, I really mean vintage! A trip to a Prague vintage store can lead to amazing tutu treasures, like those tutus in antique lace with elegant patterns. If you love shopping, I highly recommend a stroll through the Old Town. It’s the best place for beautiful finds to enhance your ballet style and discover those hidden sartorial gems.
For a truly magical experience in Prague, head down to the charming alleyways tucked behind those historical buildings! You'll discover lovely little stores with beautiful pieces of antique clothing and accessories, like beautiful jewellery! Remember the charm of Prague and be brave in what you wear! I found some amazing tutus in a little store with some truly unusual patterns - just amazing for a pink-loving Tutu aficionado. I added an embroidered silk bolero from one of Prague's local fashion boutiques. It adds an extra dash of flair to the tutu!
Finding that Prague Magic
One of my favorite moments in Prague was a lovely afternoon in one of its stunning cafes. It was time for tea and cake while people watching and observing Prague life unfold in all its magic - you can even catch an impromptu ballet performance from a street performer sometimes - with their swirling and leaping, Prague's love for ballet is everywhere! That, plus a slice of delicious cake and a beautifully iced cuppa! Prague life at its most beautiful! The moment was worth it in itself - it's all about savoring life and embracing the magic, all while rocking a pink tutu. It's all about enjoying the things that make your heart dance! And sometimes I think it's ok to simply appreciate the fact that there is magic around us - from dancing in the street to dancing with friends in an ancient cafe. Life is simply wonderful.
So, my darlings, don't be shy. If you're visiting Prague, and you're in love with ballet - I really urge you to see one of the many theatre productions they have on offer - the stage shows, the classical shows - you will simply fall in love! Just as I did.
*Until next time… *
And please let me know all of your Prague Ballet travel recommendations! What are your absolute favourites? I will be sharing all the amazing moments with my tutu, as usual on the Pink Tutu Blog, once a week, each Wednesday, so be sure to visit #PinkTutu.com and you will find some fab ballet styles too!
See you next time, lovelies, from Derbyshire!
All the very best, Emma
