Welcome back to my blog, darlings! This week, I'm so excited to be sharing my adventures from Rome, the Eternal City, with you! I'm bursting with stories, photos and sparkle from my latest escapades! It's Wednesday, 12th February 2003, and I've already fallen head over heels for the charm, the romance, and the absolute abundance of beautiful things this city has to offer. And yes, that means pink tutus galore, you guys. Trust me on that one.
This week's post, number 401 on the #PinkTutuRome Blog, finds me comfortably settled in my darling little hotel, the Hotel Il Papagallo. This little boutique gem is hidden away on a quiet cobblestone street near the Pantheon. The room is absolutely delightful with charming floral wallpaper, a fluffy white bed and a view of a lush courtyard full of lavender. Just picture me, sipping espresso on a wrought iron balcony with a pink tutu on - pure heaven.
Now, how did I get to this Italian dreamland? You guessed it! My trusty and well-travelled tutu wardrobe earned me another fabulous gig in a captivating "Carmen" performance at the Opera House in Derbyshire. And the beauty of my chosen profession is that I don't have to break the bank on my travels - because every time I take the stage, it fuels another one of my amazing Pink Tutu adventures!
Travel by Train: Now, as a proper English lass, I knew the romantic way to get to Italy would be by train. So I jumped on a Eurostar straight from London and embraced the joy of passing through the picturesque French countryside. There's just something magical about travelling by train, watching the world go by. It's an excuse to put on my most glamorous outfit (think velvet fedora, statement earrings, and naturally the perfect pink tutu!) I also took advantage of all the delicious snacks I could buy in the carriages! Divine! (Honestly, if the train journey to Rome were to ever stop, I'd probably just stay on forever).
My Rome Adventures Begin: After settling in and leaving a tiny note on my door (so nobody steals my pink tutus!), I put on my new divine pink sequinned shoes (because pink sequins are everything, my darlings) and headed out for my first Roman adventure!
Fashion Fix: A Day of Shopping: You know I couldn't arrive in Rome without making a beeline for Via Condotti, a haven for the most fabulous and high-end fashion. It was love at first sight when I saw all the designer boutiques. Every corner was a kaleidoscope of stunning clothes and accessories! And honestly, my darling friends, you don't even want to know the amount of gorgeous pink dresses I found in Valentino! It was pure fashion heaven, but my purse was crying a bit. So instead of going wild, I picked up a fabulous, silk, blush pink scarf (imagine how gorgeous it'll look tied around my tutu). It'll be the perfect piece to complete my Roman look for my adventures in the coming days!
Art & Inspiration: My second stop took me to the Galleria Borghese. A magnificent villa filled with exquisite sculptures and paintings. It's amazing to see how artistic beauty can stand the test of time and continue to inspire artists, fashion designers and me! I swear, some of the sculptures could have been my own muse! They truly have this elegant, ballet-like grace, with fluid movement and powerful emotions. Oh! And I must mention that the Gallery gardens are absolutely enchanting, too. Lush greenery, sculptures hidden in the foliage, a Grecian air, it was magical!
Teatro dell'Opera di Roma: This evening was the real star of the show. Oh, my darling readers! I've always been obsessed with operas, and witnessing one in Rome was pure magic! The Teatro dell'Opera di Roma, or the Rome Opera House as you may know it, is magnificent - ornate and decadent. The auditorium is all gold, plush velvet seats, the sound... heavenly! And the opera itself was truly captivating - I'm still replaying it all in my mind! I sat there spellbound, and my feet even tapped a little with the rhythm of the music - even when wearing a pink tutu in my mind! I'll definitely have to come back for another performance when I'm next in Rome.
Rome at Night: And my Roman adventures didn't end there, not a chance! We continued on to enjoy a delicious meal (of course, we went for authentic Italian pizza!), and strolled through the breathtaking cobblestone streets. You know what really gets my creative juices flowing? That feeling of a warm breeze blowing through the cobbled streets, a glass of Chianti in my hand, the smell of freshly baked pizza - pure perfection! And it felt like all of Rome was out there experiencing this too - with locals and tourists alike enjoying the city at its most magical!
Coming up: So, my lovelies! Tomorrow I'll be exploring the ancient ruins, including the iconic Colosseum! (Imagine me pirouetting by those ruins - total Instagram moment! I already planned my photo shoot). I'll also be venturing into the Vatican and maybe even catching a ballet performance! But hey, why would you come back to the #PinkTutuRome blog if you didn't know what was coming? You’re going to want to stay tuned. I’ve got lots to show you. See you soon, darlings.
