#PinkTutuRome Wednesday 2002-11-20 exploring Rome Italy

Ciao Bella! It's Emma, your resident pink-tutu-clad, globe-trotting ballerina, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Rome, a new weekly installment of my adventures exploring the world's most dazzling cities! Today, 20th November 2002, I’m embracing the spirit of Italy's Eternal City – with a pink tutu, naturally.

This week has been a whirlwind of beautiful architecture, divine gelato, and the most enchanting ballet performances. I just adore the vibrant culture that swirls through every cobblestone street here! And speaking of streets, they’re full of captivating, fashion-forward folks – making it a shopping paradise! But first, a little train trip...

I must confess, one of the best parts of travel for me is the journey itself. It’s almost as magical as the destination. Stepping onto a sleek, Italian train is like entering a time capsule; the compartments with their plush velvet seats and elegant wood panelling whisper stories of romance and elegance. Today, I found myself in the breathtaking Tuscan countryside, with views of vineyards and rolling hills painting the scenery. There's something so utterly liberating about the train journey, with the world passing by outside my window, allowing my imagination to roam freely.

The train itself was a treat! The vibrant red carriage against the azure Italian sky felt so romantic. It transported me back in time to those old travel posters of the ‘50s with their promises of exciting adventures. Of course, I wore my pink tutu – how else would I be seen? – and as usual, turned a few heads with a dazzling, whimsical wave to the fellow passengers. They seemed a bit amused, which is always delightful!

Finally, after an enjoyable journey, I arrived in Rome! The air was infused with the sweet smell of bread, coffee, and the exotic scent of jasmine. I quickly navigated the bustling Termini station (remember, Rome, even more than London, is about looking stylish, darling!), finding a little local taxi. This taxi driver, a real charmer, knew a little bit of English, which helped, because he knew all the best local gems to show me.

We went straight to the heart of it all - the Colosseum! The imposing structure loomed, a testament to the ancient world. It's a truly mind-blowing sight. It's just a shame the gladiators are no longer around; think of the photo opportunities! Of course, with my trusty pink tutu on, I envisioned myself leading a dance troop of gladiator girls – I could even envision myself teaching ballet lessons right there!

The Romans have an amazing fashion sense. There were so many outfits to inspire my own, and I snapped some pictures for the #PinkTutuRome fashion board. For this city, my go-to is a white dress, pink tutu over the top, an emerald green shawl, and, of course, a statement-making fascinator. The key is to accentuate that whimsical flair!

Let’s be honest, Rome is about so much more than its architecture. It's about indulging in its delicious cuisine. Oh my word, you guys! I'm practically drowning in pasta! Spaghetti carbonara, lasagne, rigatoni – oh, the pasta is making me drool! Every bite was pure heaven. And don't even get me started on the creamy tiramisu. It was just like something out of a dream.

Now, no Italian adventure would be complete without some fantastic gelato. From the famous Gelateria del Teatro, just off Piazza Navona, I devoured a cup of creamy vanilla bean gelato - heavenly. As always, it’s a must for any traveller to indulge in the most divine gelato, which reminds me of a whimsical twirl in the heart of Rome!

It’s not all about the food and the beautiful sights (though let's face it, who can resist?). Rome is bursting with art and culture, and it wouldn’t be Pink Tutu Rome without a dose of ballet. I went to a delightful performance of "The Sleeping Beauty," at the Teatro dell’Opera di Roma, housed in an astonishing Art Deco building. The theatre itself was captivating – such grandeur! But the performance took me away, filled with breathtaking beauty, elegance and skill. It’s always humbling to witness the dedication of professional dancers, and it fuels my passion for ballet, especially seeing it here in such a glorious location. It's this inspiration that drives me to always push my own limits.

You guys know I can’t come to a new city without experiencing some of the best local boutiques! I wandered down Via Condotti, the elegant shopping haven, with my little black leather ballet bag over my shoulder. Oh, the shoes, the dresses, the accessories! My pink tutu was an eye-catching accent against the luxurious background of fashion houses, turning heads with my usual whimsical charm.

Rome's fashion scene is full of energy, and I spotted a fantastic, fuchsia dress that had my name written all over it! Naturally, I knew I had to have it! (We are in Rome, darling!) I added it to my overflowing bag, envisioning the outfit: a beautiful pink tutu, the gorgeous dress, and a fabulous pair of heels – divine. And that’s exactly what I bought - and what I’m wearing for a night of Italian romance!

As the evening sun cast long shadows across the ancient city, I ventured into the magical, dimly lit world of the Trevi Fountain. It was absolutely magical. As usual, my pink tutu became the star of the show, with a little ballerina’s grace that turned even the fountain itself into a magical, fairytale stage. It was a little slice of ballerina bliss right there in the heart of Rome!

After another captivating evening stroll around Rome, I decided to stop for a relaxing cocktail in a little local bar. The bartender, Lorenzo, had the most fabulous emerald green velvet suit (something I need to copy, dear readers, but with pink details!), and he whipped me up an exquisite Aperol Spritz.

And this, my lovelies, is where I had the most lovely experience. Lorenzo started asking about my tutu. “It’s for dance?” he asked. We started talking, sharing our passions – his for his favourite local artists, and mine, for dancing. He confessed that he too has always wanted to learn ballet! This opened up a whole conversation, with stories about his favourite dance scenes from movies and plays. I even pulled out some dance moves with my tutu. To my surprise, he picked up on it right away – he was even ready to twirl! He was completely taken with my pink tutu. Maybe the Pink Tutu revolution is beginning?

As the night progressed, Lorenzo, my tutu-inspiring bartender, told me about a secret little club a little further up the road where they do cabaret performances. We decided to go together!

And now, my dear readers, my adventure continues, with the smell of limoncello and the sound of laughter from our little group, making its way towards this mysterious club! And of course, my trusty pink tutu – always ready for the next adventure!

And until next Wednesday, stay fabulous, and keep twirling,

Emma xoxo

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