#PinkTutuRome Wednesday 1997-01-08 exploring Rome Italy

Ciao bella!

It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu enthusiast, reporting live from the Eternal City – Rome! I've swapped my Derbyshire hills for Roman ruins and, believe me, I'm loving every minute. This is my eighth week in Rome, and I've been so busy exploring that it feels like a whirlwind of history, delicious food, and even more delicious shopping. And what’s more fun than shopping in Rome? Well, I haven’t found it yet.

This week, however, was particularly special as I finally managed to see a real-life gladiatorial battle, well, a re-enactment at least! But more on that later. I also found a wonderful shop selling tutus – yes, a pink tutu shop, can you believe it? You’ll have to check out the pictures – I’m practically bursting out of my suitcase with all the pink goodness I’ve collected.

This is my little slice of Rome in #83, a pinktastic Roman holiday!

Rome felt a world away from Derbyshire as the sleek, modern Italian train pulled into the station. It was a bit of a shock to the system going from our quaint little train stations in the UK to Rome’s busy, bustling railway hub, but the atmosphere was electrifying, buzzing with a sense of adventure that just swept you along. The carriages themselves were so plush – like travelling in a swanky lounge! I had to snap a quick selfie in my tutu, of course, a must for any Pink Tutu travel story!

Speaking of travel, remember those amazing train trips we were discussing last week? The train has always been my favourite mode of transport – it feels so much more romantic and leisurely than any aeroplane. I always manage to find some fascinating characters on my travels, from flamboyant fashionistas to grumpy grannies with a secret stash of home-baked treats. There’s something about that unique, shared experience of being on the same journey with strangers, going to the same destination but from completely different lives.

And speaking of journeys, Rome itself is a whirlwind of fascinating histories and ancient tales. I’ve already had my fair share of time travelling back to the Roman Empire! Walking through the Colosseum, one of the most incredible architectural feats of all time, sent shivers down my spine. To imagine all those people watching gladiatorial battles… it’s just astounding.

It wasn't all serious historical exploration, though. My ballet training, I think, gives me a bit of an edge on seeing a place like this - the space and the architectural flourishes that go into making such a breathtaking and grand arena is truly captivating!

I even caught the re-enactment of a gladiator battle which was incredibly exciting! Watching the gladiators battle with their swords and shields and the crowds cheering on their favourites - the entire atmosphere transported me back in time! Of course, the sheer physicality of the fights - the bravery of the performers and the dedication to their craft had me entranced, with my phone’s camera practically glued to my eyes the entire time!

It's just one of the amazing things you can do in Rome, I truly feel like I’m living out my very own "Roman Holiday," (just a tad less drama-filled than Audrey Hepburn’s version, thankfully!)

Rome isn’t just about the ancient past – there's also the delicious Italian present! From freshly-baked pastries in the mornings to steaming bowls of pasta for dinner – I'm having a little (a lot) of food-related fun. It seems everything is made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and every meal feels like a special occasion. This week I discovered an absolutely wonderful trattoria hidden down a quiet street, where they have this divine tomato and basil pasta - the perfect taste of the sunshine, perfect for any day. Of course, you know what was topping my pasta? A perfectly coordinated pink bow to go with the blush pink linen tablecloth!

You know me and my tutu obsession, but I’m learning more and more about dressing with flair, about having a little fun with colour and finding things that speak to my heart. Maybe next week you can have a little pink tulle surprise coming your way? It might just be a pink tutu bag, but it could also be something much more special!

After I was completely full of pasta, I was in the mood for more of Rome’s Italian delights. That's right, I’m talking about the shopping! Oh my, the shops, the colours, the creativity! I simply had to try and see if Rome lived up to its reputation for fabulous style. Rome really has something for everyone!

One shop in particular completely stole my heart - an entire boutique dedicated to pink! It was a fairytale wonderland of frills, bows, and tutus – my pink-loving dreams had officially come true. My wallet didn’t fare as well though - but how can you say no to a vintage pink chiffon dress? I found myself some amazing outfits that would look fantastic on stage - imagine the looks you could pull off with this kind of fabric and these flowing lines, all that graceful motion, I felt I needed at least 10 pairs of hands and another entire suitcase just for this new find!

Of course, you’ll see those treasures in my next post when I take you behind the scenes and showcase my amazing purchases. Oh, it’s hard to keep secrets!

I've been so busy exploring that my actual ballet schedule's been a bit of a whirlwind. However, this week I took the opportunity to do some open-air rehearsals by the Colosseum, surrounded by incredible history and beauty! A ballerina needs to rehearse in a new environment too, you know. Every day is a different adventure in a beautiful, sun-kissed city. What else could a dancer ask for, I say?!

It was the perfect end to another fun-filled, fashion-forward day in Rome, but before I go I want to hear from you all! What would you do with a trip to Rome? Tell me about your favourite destinations or your ultimate dream holiday in the comments! And, don't forget to tell me what you’d love to see me wear next time – any ideas?

Next week I’ll take you along with me on some behind-the-scenes fun from the show - I've got a special surprise planned for all you #pinktutufamily, stay tuned!

And until then, stay pink and fabulous!

Your Emma x