Ciao Bella!
It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another fabulous Pink Tutu Rome post! I'm finally back in the Eternal City after a whirlwind tour of the Tuscan countryside - Tuscany is gorgeous but nothing compares to Rome. As I sit here in my pink-tutu-inspired palazzo suite overlooking the Pantheon (yes, seriously!) sipping my cappuccino and watching the sun rise over the ancient ruins, I can't help but think - how lucky am I?!
Today is 26th October, 2005, and the energy here is just electric. I think they might be having a fashion show because I saw a group of designers all looking impossibly stylish strolling down Via Condotti this morning, clutching fabric swatches and notebooks! Oh, the sartorial excitement!
Let me rewind, though - before I can dive into today's adventures, I need to fill you in on my magical train journey through the heart of Tuscany. I must say, Italian trains are a delightful surprise. They're clean, comfortable, and somehow even more stylish than the London Underground! I may be biased towards the charmingly dilapidated Tube, but even I have to admit that the Italian carriages with their soft green seats and panoramic windows are a little bit special.
Travelling through Tuscany on the train is a bit like watching a movie. I spent most of my time glued to the window, gazing at rolling vineyards, crumbling castles, and ancient Roman towns. It felt like travelling through a romantic fairytale. I even spotted a few cute Italian farmers driving little tractors through fields - what more could a girl want?!
But of course, there were no ballet classes or shows in Tuscany. Thankfully, I always carry a travel-sized barre with me, just for emergencies like that. I couldn't let my routine go to waste, you see! So, in between wine tastings (absolutely essential research for this blog, obviously), I managed to squeeze in some barre work. Nothing beats a good arabesque overlooking a cypress-studded hill, believe me.
Back to the Eternal City!
And now, back to my current Roman adventures. After a long day of exploring museums and gardens yesterday, I'm feeling wonderfully energised. This morning I was up early and had breakfast at one of Rome's bustling food markets. Have you ever tried "supplì" ? They're basically crispy balls of rice filled with mozzarella and tomato sauce. Divine! And, let's be honest, everything tastes better with a side of pink champagne, don't you think?
My first stop today is the Galleria Borghese. I'm eager to see the amazing art by Bernini - it's supposedly incredibly beautiful and inspiring! Who knows, I might even find some inspiration for my next tutu design... Speaking of tutus, I picked up the most amazing, frilly, pink one last night at a little boutique on Via Veneto! It's like a little pink cloud, perfect for twirling around the Spanish Steps. It even matches my pink ballerina flats - what a score!
Afterwards, I'll be taking a relaxing stroll through the ancient Roman Forum. Can you believe they actually still have a Colosseum?! It's quite remarkable, really. Imagine the gladiators battling in that magnificent arena, all those centuries ago! I'm sure their outfits would have made even the most flamboyant Parisian designer jealous.
Of course, no visit to Rome would be complete without a pizza experience! I've heard there's a fabulous pizza joint near the Pantheon with a wood-fired oven, so that's where I'll be going later. Maybe I'll even try one of their famous "margherita" pizzas. Mmm… It all sounds incredibly delicious!
Oh, and before I forget, there's a performance of "La Bohème" at the Teatro dell’Opera tonight. It's the first time they've been staging the opera in decades! My heart is leaping just thinking about it.
Ballet is truly the art of universal language. Even if you don't understand Italian, you can understand the emotion in every single pirouette and grand jeté. And when the dancers take their bow at the end of the show, and the audience erupts in a storm of applause, there's simply no place I'd rather be!
Tonight, after the show, I'm treating myself to a celebratory gelato. There's a small ice cream shop just a short walk from the opera house, with the most exquisite pink strawberry sorbetto!
Of course, I'll be sure to wear my brand new pink tutu - what better way to add a touch of whimsy to an already enchanting evening? I'm picturing myself gracefully skipping across the cobbled streets, my tutu floating behind me like a giant, fluffy cloud. After all, I firmly believe that every day should be a little bit magical - especially when you're in Rome!
As I wrap up this blog post, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air, and the morning sunlight casts a golden glow on the city below. It's a truly perfect day in Rome, and I can't wait to see what adventures tomorrow will bring! Stay tuned, my lovely tutu wearers!
Sending you all lots of pink love and twirls,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. If you happen to be in Rome and fancy joining me for an impromptu dance session at the Piazza Navona or a delicious gelato at the Pantheon, be sure to drop me a line!
