Hello darlings! It's Wednesday, which means it's time for another fabulous Pink Tutu Rome post! This week, I've landed in the Eternal City, and oh my goodness, I'm already completely smitten.
The journey from Derbyshire, England to Rome by train was such an adventure. It was one of those epic, sprawling train journeys you dream about - you know, the ones that glide you through sprawling countryside, sleepy villages, and bustling cities in a kaleidoscope of colours. And of course, I wore my lucky pink tutu for the occasion - because, well, you never know when you might need to whip out a twirl, even on a train!
The first thing I did when I arrived was hop into a bright red Italian taxi and get taken to my hotel. It's the cutest little boutique hotel nestled in a charming, cobbled side street in Trastevere. Let me tell you, the staff here are so sweet and welcoming, and the breakfast buffet is absolutely heavenly – they have fresh fruit, pastries, croissants, and even this divine ricotta tart! I mean, seriously, just thinking about it makes me want to skip across the cobblestones to grab a slice!
As soon as I got settled, I set out to explore Trastevere, a vibrant neighbourhood known for its charming little shops and street cafes. I must confess, I completely fell head-over-heels for a boutique I stumbled upon - they had the most exquisite collection of hand-painted ceramics! There were plates and bowls with swirling floral patterns, cups adorned with beautiful Renaissance scenes, and even teapots shaped like cherubs - just the most adorable things! It was a dream come true! Naturally, I just had to buy something to remind me of this lovely day, so I picked up a dainty, pastel-coloured china plate that features a picture of the Colosseum.
And talking about the Colosseum, I spent a large part of the afternoon just staring in awe at the sheer size and grandeur of this ancient amphitheatre. Imagine the excitement, the roar of the crowds, the sheer spectacle of the gladiator battles and chariot races that once took place here! I could feel a faint echo of all that history whispering through the crumbling stones, it was simply breathtaking.
Speaking of ancient marvels, after a delicious pizza lunch (seriously, you guys, you HAVE to try Roman pizza!), I visited the Pantheon. It's one of those places that leaves you speechless. This vast temple, now a Catholic church, is absolutely incredible. The building, with its incredible dome, flooded by sunlight from a central oculus, is so captivating, I could have stayed there all evening just gazing up at it. It just makes you realize how little we truly understand about the ingenuity and brilliance of ancient civilizations.
But you know me, a ballerina girl can't spend an entire trip just exploring ancient wonders! So, this evening, I treated myself to a wonderful ballet performance at the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma. The program featured "Giselle", a romantic ballet full of tragedy, beauty, and love. There was an incredible female ballerina whose grace and athleticism took my breath away, it was magical! It just proves that even in ancient Rome, the art of dance is alive and thriving!
Tomorrow, I'm planning on exploring the Roman Forum and the Palatine Hill. Who knows, I might even slip into a museum for a spot of art-appreciation - but I'll certainly be making sure to stay fabulous in my favourite pink tutu! I have a feeling that I might need a little bit of magic to stay on the right side of the Pantheon's divine magic.
See you next week, darling! Stay pink, stay sassy, stay wonderful!
Lots of love, Emma x
