Wednesday 12th December 2001
Ciao from Rome! I'm so excited to be in this beautiful city, the first stop on my Christmas adventure across Europe.
The train journey down from Derbyshire was just lovely - there's nothing quite like settling into a comfortable carriage, looking out at the countryside whizzing by, and knowing you're heading towards somewhere exciting. I'd packed a little hamper of my favourite snacks - finger sandwiches with cucumber and cream cheese, little pots of strawberries, and a homemade chocolate cake from my Mum. I just adore the romantic and luxurious feeling of train travel. Plus, it’s far more fun than flying, right?
And Rome – what a city! This was my first time here and I have to say, I’m smitten. Every cobblestone street, every majestic fountain, every ancient ruin screams romance.
Now, I’m always up for an adventure, but when it comes to style, Rome isn’t a place for just any outfit. I’ve got to keep it elegant and sophisticated while still embracing my signature pink tutu. So for this week, it’s my "Roma Romance" look! Think soft layers of lace and tulle, a gorgeous pastel pink fitted jacket with matching satin heels, all topped off with a billowing tulle skirt - my very own Pink Tutu Rome edition. It’s pretty, it’s fun, and it's perfectly comfortable for exploring this glorious city!
Of course, no trip to Rome is complete without visiting some of its legendary fashion houses. It’s been such a delight getting lost in the beautiful clothes at Fendi and Valentino - those gorgeous fabrics and impeccable tailoring are pure magic! And of course, I just had to find a couple of stunning Italian dresses for the theatre performance I’m booked for this week at Teatro dell'Opera. Oh, the joy of indulging in some delightful Italian fashion – pure heaven!
My Rome adventure has been a whirl of fantastic food, art, history, and culture! On my first day, we went to the Roman Forum, and oh my goodness - it’s hard to even begin to describe how incredible it feels to walk among these ancient ruins! The sheer size and scope of this ancient civilisation, still standing after all these years, left me feeling humbled and awe-struck. We spent hours wandering amongst the arches and ruins, listening to the tales of emperors, gladiators, and the everyday people who once walked these streets. I’d never imagined a city could feel both so incredibly old and yet still so alive and vibrant. And speaking of alive and vibrant, can we talk about Italian food? The pastas, the pizzas, the risottos – oh my! It's truly a dream come true for a food-loving ballerina like myself. Just the perfect fuel for a busy day of sightseeing!
Then there’s the art. The Galleria Borghese and the Capitoline Museums were absolute treasures! So much magnificent art to absorb, I found myself mesmerized by Michelangelo's David, and I had to snap a million pictures of Bernini’s magnificent sculptures. The incredible detail and passion of the Italian masters had me enthralled - it's hard to imagine how these beautiful works of art survived for centuries. I can't help but feel inspired by their talent, and a little jealous at the same time - imagine the creativity those artists possessed! And it seems the Italians are so creative! It’s not just in the art or the food either. Everywhere you turn in this city you're surrounded by exquisite architecture, cobbled streets and the sounds of street performers and street musicians - every detail is infused with this romantic sense of history and Italian glamour. Even the flower stalls overflowing with colourful blooms feel perfectly at home amongst the centuries-old ruins and Renaissance churches! It’s such an evocative atmosphere - all my senses are being indulged!
Tonight I’m going to be visiting the Pantheon, one of Rome's most iconic landmarks. Built as a temple for all the Roman gods in the 2nd Century AD, it has this incredibly inspiring circular structure with a massive open oculus at the top, which means I can catch a glimpse of the stars through its opening at night - it’s a breathtakingly beautiful architectural masterpiece! I plan to wear my sparkly pink tutu with a flowing chiffon top and some gorgeous sparkly silver heels to add a bit of my own special sparkle!
Tomorrow, I’ll be trying out my brand new Italian dress! We are booked in for the ballet "Giselle," a favourite of mine! Oh how I love watching professional dancers, it just inspires me so much! I hope to catch a few ballet classes at the academy too – I’ve already been looking at their website! And the best bit, it's right around the corner from my little apartment – a sweet and charming space tucked away in a narrow, winding street with brightly painted flower pots on the balconies and clotheslines drying in the sunshine! It just makes my heart happy.
Well, ciao for now – it’s almost time for dinner! I can't wait to share the rest of my adventures with you next Wednesday!
Lots of Love and Twirls, Emma xx
