Buongiorno bella!
It’s Emma here, your Pink Tutu blogger, reporting live from the Eternal City, Rome! Yes, darling, you heard me right. I’ve traded Derbyshire for a city steeped in history, cobblestone streets, and of course, gorgeous gelato. This is my first visit to Italy, and let me tell you, it’s everything I ever dreamt of – even more so in a pink tutu, naturally!
You see, I’ve always adored travelling, ever since my Mum would take me to Europe by train for family holidays. I simply love trains – they are a romantic and elegant way to journey. Rome felt so familiar, in a sense, with its stunning buildings and lively streets, but still, it was so completely new and exhilarating.
Pink Power on the Tracks
This week’s travel was even more special because I had a very important performance to attend on Friday, August 15th, at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma! That meant a rather dashing arrival in Rome on August 13th, a journey full of pink dreams.
Remember the time I went to Paris last year on the train from London, sporting a vibrant bubblegum pink tutu, a perfectly coordinated pink suitcase, and my darling pink leather hat? Well, Rome called for a whole new level of pink brilliance, my dears! This time, I opted for a sophisticated coral pink tutu – still pink, still absolutely fabulous, but with an added touch of mature charm, suitable for the refined air of this historical city.
Rome's Chic Style Secrets
As the train sped along, I started sketching outfits in my trusty notepad, picturing myself strolling through Rome's beautiful plazas. After all, a ballerina's gotta have the right look, and I planned to soak up all the Italian fashion inspiration. Imagine the joy!
It's true, Rome has such an amazing style sense. I mean, have you ever seen so many gorgeous men? The ladies are just as stylish, wearing chic dresses and hats that perfectly match the ancient architecture. The colours here are simply sensational - ochre, burnt orange, cream and warm, rich shades of pink. Talk about inspiration!
Speaking of inspiration, my Roman journey already involved two amazing ballet shows in this past week – first, that dazzling performance at Teatro dell’Opera, and then on the weekend, an open-air performance at the magnificent Foro Italico, complete with Roman ruins as the backdrop.
The Pink Tutu Tourist – Rome’s Gems
Let’s just say Rome's been living up to its nickname of The Eternal City, offering enough beauty, deliciousness, and excitement to last a lifetime.
I already ticked off some classic Rome destinations: The Colosseum is immense, the Trevi Fountain is enchanting (and I had to throw in a coin, of course!), and The Pantheon? Oh, the Pantheon! It's just breathtaking.
I particularly loved the Roman Forum, though, the feeling of walking amidst these historic ruins filled with history and stories. I even spotted a street performance on the ruins that just added to the enchantment – they were twirling batons and dancing in bright red costumes. I really felt connected to those early Roman ballerinas (perhaps in my imagination, but let's be honest, darling, it doesn't matter, does it? It’s just delightful!)
Of course, no Rome trip is complete without sampling some of its legendary food! My pink-tutu-clad self has enjoyed divine pasta and pizza, plus heavenly tiramisu, a truly dreamy gelato – it was made with rosewater, just to make me feel right at home! (No, I didn't wear my pink tutu all the time. Although, I almost did! My pink travelling shoes were definitely the stars of my Roman wardrobe, though. Trust me, darling, they deserve a whole post of their own.)
Sharing The Pink Love – Ballet for Everyone!
Now, let me tell you, even though Rome's beautiful in ways I never imagined, it also has a place in my heart for something a little unexpected… street ballet!
Have I told you about my new favourite street in Rome yet? It's a vibrant one in the Trastevere neighbourhood with cafes and artisan boutiques, bustling with life, and you guessed it, my beloved pink-tutu inspiration.
Every day, in this lovely square, there's this beautiful man (he must be in his sixties) wearing a pink tutu and teaching free ballet classes to passersby. You might find this odd, but darling, it's so endearing! He does his thing with complete abandon, so joyous and positive – it's such a delightful contrast to the more reserved European ballet. It reminds me of why I started wearing pink tutus in the first place – they represent confidence and joie de vivre, a belief in finding joy wherever you are! And, of course, it makes everyone else smile!
Let's talk fashion for a moment, too. Rome has been a total delight for shopping. The leather and silk, the incredible embroidery, it's just so tempting. Of course, I went for some gorgeous pinks to add to my collection, even found a vintage tutu which is totally amazing!
So, my dear Pink Tutu followers, this has been a pink dream of a week! Now I'm packing up my beautiful pink suitcases (two matching sets!) and setting off to my next ballet-filled destination! If you’re looking for a getaway bursting with culture and romance, you can't go wrong with Rome – in a pink tutu, of course.
Stay tuned for more updates on the next fabulous adventure for the Pink Tutu on my blog! I'll leave you with this: Keep wearing pink! And if you happen to find yourself in Rome, embrace its pink beauty like I do, darling.
With much pink love,
Emma, Your Pink Tutu Ballerina
