Buongiorno, darling readers! This week's Pink Tutu adventure takes us to the eternal city, Rome! It's been a long time coming, I've been dreaming of visiting this ancient and vibrant city for ages, and finally, I've arrived! I know I always say it, but trust me, this week's blog post is going to be absolutely divine. I'm absolutely bursting with excitement about all the amazing adventures, gorgeous outfits and of course, ballet shenanigans that I've crammed into this past week!
Now, I know you might be thinking "Emma, a tutu in Rome?! Are you sure?!" And let me tell you, darling, a pink tutu is as much at home in Rome as it is anywhere else! This city is just begging for a splash of pink and a little bit of whimsical twirling. It's a place where history meets modern, where cobbled streets lead to magnificent fountains, where delicious gelato and fashion mix together seamlessly. I even saw a few girls sporting a tutu while shopping - they looked absolutely fab! It's amazing what a little pink and tulle can do.
Anyway, I landed in Rome on Monday, a day full of train journeys and airport wanderings, but that didn't stop me from squeezing in a little retail therapy! I discovered this absolutely delightful shop on the edge of the Trastevere district ā āA Modo Mioā ā itās like a haven for quirky clothes, accessories and vintage treasures, and you just know itās going to become my go-to place while Iām in Rome.
This little vintage heaven even had an entire shelf dedicated to old ballet tutus! You can imagine my excitement - it was like stumbling into a ballerinaās treasure trove! And it wouldnāt have been a Pink Tutu Rome blog post without me bringing home a new tulle friend, naturally. A beautiful baby pink, with intricate hand-sewn beading and delicate layers. Sheās a little bit tattered but definitely has that timeless elegance about her. Itās like sheās whispering secrets of Rome from back in the day!
Now, Wednesday (which is why weāre here, darlings!), saw me immersed in the history and glamour of the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma! I managed to nab tickets for a showing of āSwan Lakeā. Oh my gosh, you guys, I swear, the first time the whole chorus danced the opening sequence in their pure white tutus, I nearly cried! The setting was so beautiful and the dancers were absolutely phenomenal. They twirled and pirouetted and jumped across the stage, their grace and skill were so impressive, I felt like I was floating!
After the performance, I snuck out the back, just behind the stage, and managed to nab a photo with one of the lead ballerinas! My heart did a little pirouette as she signed my program! Of course, the stage door was no place for a casual tutu-clad observer, so I switched out my everyday āgoing to a showā tutu for a grand, black velvet and feathered concoction. That's the secret, my loves! Always pack at least two tutus - one for daytime frolicking and one for elegant evenings.
Thursday took me back to the enchanting Trevi Fountain! It was everything Iād imagined: the magnificent marble sculptures, the rushing waters, and of course, the crowds! But thatās part of the magic, right? A city like Rome is all about shared moments, experiencing the wonder together with strangers. The magic really does get amplified by those special encounters, that fleeting moment of eye contact as a little boy points excitedly at the fountain, or that grandmother excitedly explaining the legend to her grandchildren.
So, I dipped my toes in the fountain - well, not really. I tried to hold on to the little pink purse with my toes, as thatās the old tradition, isnāt it? That youāre guaranteed to return to Rome? Or perhaps thatās only if youāre meant to. Whatever, that little moment felt pretty magical! And, obviously, I threw in a few coins. One for my dream of owning a studio with a big enough stage for everyone to wear a tutu in - what a dream that would be! Iāll have to find out when I come back for the rest of my wishes.
As for my pink tutu and the sights of Romeā¦well, they simply went hand-in-hand. Walking down the narrow streets of Trastevere, the colorful buildings, the tiny cafes overflowing with the aromas of coffee and pasta, it all felt so beautiful, so vibrant. You couldnāt tell the vibrant pink tutu from the city's energy - it simply became part of the magic. Just look at the photos on www.pink-tutu.com, I even popped my favourite pink tutu shots up!
One of the most special moments I had was when I stopped to watch the street performers near the Pantheon. A young street artist had a whole show set up, using chalk drawings to tell the stories of Rome. There was a mix of Roman mythology and historical figures with modern touches that got the whole crowd giggling. And I felt completely inspired. Thatās the thing about travelling, itās so inspiring to see creativity blossom wherever you go.
But now Iāve been in Italy for a little over a week, and, of course, I'm making the most of every minute! On Friday I found myself completely captivated by the amazing artwork in the Vatican museums, itās certainly an unforgettable spectacle! The intricate details of the paintings, the towering ceilings adorned with frescos - everything just whispered with beauty and history. I mean, imagine being able to witness such exquisite masterpieces - it was humbling and a truly moving experience.
The Galleria Borghese on Saturday afternoon didnāt disappoint! We got there early, booked in our time slot - so the trick to avoiding massive lines is all about good planning, right? - and oh my goodness, the gallery itself, as well as the statues, justā¦stole my breath away. Honestly, seeing these world-renowned masterpieces in person? You guys, I had to do a full-on pirouette for my friends, I couldnāt even contain the emotion.
We wandered around, soaking it all in, letting the magic of Berniniās āApollo and Daphneā enchant us. It's incredible how much art you can pack into one place! We explored, marveled and then, I had to go back to see that particular sculpture again, it was so awe-inspiring! It's easy to be captivated by beauty!
As my week in Rome wrapped up on Sunday, I knew this wasn't just a goodbye. I have such an overwhelming desire to discover more of Italy! That's what it's about isnāt it? Itās all about discovering new corners of the world, discovering new corners of yourself and how much pink tutu energy there is out there, ready to be discovered and embraced. And donāt you worry darlings, I've got more Italian adventures on the horizon! You might even spot me waltzing around Milan and Verona in the coming weeks!
Until next week, darlings! Keep on twirling and shining!
Emma x
P.S. I promise to share all my fashion finds and yummy Roman restaurant recommendations next week! Stay tuned for more Pink Tutu adventures!
