Ciao, darling! Welcome back to another installment of Pink Tutu Rome. This week I'm positively bubbling over with excitement - I've landed in Rome, the Eternal City, and it’s even more beautiful than I imagined.
I know, I know, you might think it’s a bit extravagant of me, dashing off to Rome on a whim, but remember, I'm a dancer first and foremost, and there are some things you just have to experience in this life! Especially when it's linked to a dazzling opportunity: a solo performance in the stunning Sistine Chapel at the Vatican - yes, that Vatican - and a breathtakingly glamorous ballet gala on the Piazza Navona, one of Rome’s most iconic squares!
It's my birthday week, you see, and Rome has been celebrating in style - the perfect blend of ancient history and vibrant, modern-day energy. Just think: cobbled streets, fountains splashing, a glorious sunrise peeking over the Colosseum... pure romance. And the shops? Darling, you could get lost for hours browsing!
But let’s go back to my journey - you can't even begin to imagine how magical the train ride was. It wasn't the sleek, modern Eurostar I usually take for my Parisian trips, no, this was a journey back in time. A rumbling old-fashioned Italian train carriage with red velvet seats and faded posters. I'd bought a cheeky little pink tutu hat to keep my head warm during the ride, you know the ones that have those lovely floppy ears. And of course, my trusty pink ballet shoes. The carriage was filled with locals, families, and even a young, talented street musician strumming a sweet Italian tune.
Reaching Termini station was an adventure in itself - a flurry of locals and tourists rushing around, a kaleidoscope of colours and sounds - the kind of chaotic energy I adore.
My Airbnb apartment was a sweet, bijou little place overlooking a cobbled courtyard bursting with colourful flower boxes. There's a cute café downstairs with a friendly barista who’s always offering a free espresso or cappuccino for his guests, so it's my first stop every morning, a cup of strong Italian coffee paired with a croissant for breakfast, and what’s better than watching the city wake up? I'm staying in the heart of Rome’s historic centre, just a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps, and darling, I'm making the most of it!
So, where did I go first? You guessed it, I made a beeline for the most fabulous Italian boutiques in town! There were so many colours, styles and designs! My wardrobe's bursting already, but honestly, it's such a treat browsing through shops bursting with leather boots, elegant evening gowns, flowing skirts, the perfect oversized knit sweaters to wear in my little Parisian flat - I am truly a shopaholic, and Rome’s got my heart. It was a bit of a chaotic frenzy but hey, I did try to embrace my inner shopaholic gracefully and resist a little.
I can't tell you enough about the fashion - so much attention to detail, intricate embroidery, a delicate mix of textures and embellishments. I can definitely see why Rome is a world capital for fashion. There's a real confidence here - people walk with a je ne sais quoi and just ooze chic. It’s all so elegant, from the way people dress to the intricate detail in everything from cafes to restaurants to street signs, you really feel a sense of the past here.
I'm finding it so fascinating that Rome is a blend of old and new. This juxtaposition of ancient Roman ruins nestled alongside sleek, modern buildings really draws you in. You can feel the history as you stroll down the ancient cobbled streets, the echoes of past emperors whispering from the walls of the Colosseum, it's absolutely electrifying!
Speaking of electric, I found the most divine pink glitter sandals just outside the Vatican today! Imagine, a chunky heel covered in the most shimmering, sparkly pink glitter - a little bit rebellious but very chic. The lady selling them was this lovely, silver-haired, bubbly Italian lady who wore the most glamorous headscarf I'd ever seen. She laughed when I explained my quest to share pink tutus with the world. She had a real twinkle in her eye. "Tutti bella," she exclaimed, throwing me a cheeky wink, as she placed a pink-studded butterfly in my hair. It was just what I needed!
I’m off tomorrow to see the Vatican. It's impossible not to feel the overwhelming history there. The detail and grandeur of this monumental site just blows you away - every chapel is breathtaking. The frescoes by Michelangelo, oh, my! I’ve never seen such colour, depth, and energy before. They tell the whole story of mankind.
On a completely unrelated note - I’m planning on finding out how to become an opera singer when I'm here, haha. I do like a bit of drama, especially when there's gorgeous operatic voices floating through the air, right?
Tonight is the opera, the much-awaited performance of La Traviata, and the beautiful music is just flowing out of every café window - and what is more, I am on my way to a rather posh rooftop restaurant in Trastevere for a spectacular sunset view with friends and fabulous food. What's a little gelato with the best sunset view over the rooftops of Rome, right? Oh, and by the way, did I tell you that the restaurant is called "Rooftop Dream"? Perfect.
Now I've gotta go! There’s a dress rehearsal to prepare for and I’m off to a gelato shop near the Coliseum that's famed for their creamy pistachio flavour.
This is Rome! Everything is about finding that perfect mix between elegance and fun! Don’t forget to wear your pink tutus and let the beauty of this city wash over you, darling!
See you next Wednesday,
Love, Emma x
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