Ciao Bella!
It's Wednesday, the 25th of December, and the crisp Roman air is filled with the smell of pine needles and roasting chestnuts. It's Christmas Day, and the city is radiating a magical aura. This, my darling readers, is why I decided to spend the festive season in the heart of Italy - a decision I am already praising myself for!
Last week, you saw my whirlwind Christmas Eve trip to Paris (can you believe I even managed a sneak peek into the Moulin Rouge?!), and then I boarded a beautiful silver train, heading straight towards Rome. Oh, the journey! It's not just the romantic allure of train travel that captivates me. It's the delicious smell of warm bread and the chance to eavesdrop on captivating conversations in languages I can only understand through a gentle smile. This time, my train trip was even more exciting. You wouldn't believe the stylish ensemble I wore, topped off by my new pink and silver polka dot tutu, a gift from my dear Aunt Hilda (she knows me so well!) The train conductor even stopped to compliment me - and wouldn't you know it, his eyes widened at the sight of my delicate ballet shoes peeking out from under my travelling coat. It just goes to show, ballet always brings a touch of elegance and grace to every situation.
And Rome... oh, Rome! My very own pink tutu vision! Everywhere I look, there's history etched onto every cobblestone. The grandeur of the Colosseum, the intricate detail of the Pantheon, the vibrant atmosphere of Campo de' Fiori… it's enough to inspire any creative soul.
And you wouldn't believe my luck, darlings! Yesterday, after a delectable lunch of freshly made pasta and a little window shopping on the Via Condotti, I discovered the most amazing Christmas ballet performance in the Palazzo Barberini! Can you imagine my delight? The air crackled with energy and wonder as dancers gracefully twirled under the flickering candlelight. I found myself enchanted by the intricate steps, the ethereal music, the elegance of each performer. You see, my darlings, Christmas just wouldn't be the same without a sprinkle of ballet magic!
I confess, a touch of shopping was absolutely necessary! You know how much I adore fashion, and finding myself surrounded by the rich textures and vibrant colours of Italian fabrics and designers is pure bliss. And guess what? I couldn't resist a gorgeous velvet beret in a beautiful shade of pink, which just perfectly matched my new tutu. (Did I mention I got some new pink ballet shoes as well?! A Christmas treat for my aching feet!)
Speaking of aching feet, today I'm planning on taking it easy - which means a leisurely stroll through the Vatican gardens, a relaxing cappuccino in a cozy little cafe, and a moment to reflect on all the festive wonders I've witnessed. I'll share all my delicious Christmas discoveries tomorrow! After all, I'm going to see the most famous nativity scene in Rome – that means finding a delicious treat and the perfect selfie with my new pink tutu!
And now, I need to go – the scent of panettone is beckoning! It’s a Christmas miracle! It’s already 3pm and it's snowing lightly! (It's almost always sunny here! My photos won’t lie – trust me, you'll be swept away by the beauty of Rome, even under a gentle flurry of snowflakes). Don't forget to check in next Wednesday for another dose of Pink Tutu travel magic!
Ciao Bella!
P.S. – Don’t forget to check out my latest video blog. You won’t believe the beautiful pink tutu I discovered on the Christmas Eve window shopping spree. (Spoiler alert – it has feathers! You know how much I love feathers… I’m a Derbyshire girl, remember?)
