Ciao bella! It’s your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, Emma, reporting live from the eternal city - Rome! It's Wednesday, and you know what that means - another Pink Tutu adventure awaits, this time, in the heart of Italy.
This week, I swapped Derbyshire drizzle for Roman sunshine, travelling by train of course (because who can resist the romance of a train journey?), with my trusty pink tutu suitcase in tow. I must say, the tutus really travelled well!
Arriving in Rome felt like stepping onto the set of a movie. Ancient buildings, buzzing markets, delicious smells - it was a sensory overload, in the most beautiful way possible. But my main mission this week is, of course, to spread the pink tutu love and find all the most inspiring ballet performances this city has to offer!
A ballet-loving wanderer's diary: Rome Edition
Wednesday 18th:
I just had to don my most flamboyant tutu for the first day! I'm wearing my bright pink, feather-trimmed dream of a tutu and feeling incredibly glamorous. After settling in to my darling little apartment, tucked away in a charming alleyway (it's complete with a balcony overlooking a fragrant orange tree!), I went straight to Il Fornaio for some traditional Italian lunch. Panini are a ballet dancer's best friend! They're light and packed with flavour. This one, with spicy sausage and melted mozzarella, was heaven.
In the afternoon, I stumbled upon a hidden gem: La Scuola di Ballo di Roma (The Rome School of Dance) a charming studio with a captivatingly authentic feel. It's so inspiring to watch talented dancers rehearse and their dedication is truly contagious! I might even sneak in a class tomorrow!
Fashion Fling:
- No trip to Rome is complete without a shopping spree! It's almost impossible to resist the incredible craftsmanship and Italian fashion sense. I snagged a stunning silk scarf embroidered with ancient Roman scenes - perfect for accessorizing with a pink tutu, of course!
The evening's highlight? A show at Teatro dell'Opera! * Rome’s magnificent opera house was bursting with grandeur! The beautiful architecture and soaring ceilings were so inspiring - like a fairy tale palace for opera lovers. The ballet performance I saw was breathtaking. The story of Swan Lake told with such artistry and grace, made me dream of soaring through the air with elegant steps and graceful movements. The ballerina was breathtaking and reminded me why I adore ballet.
Friday 20th: Rome, Fashion and the Unexpected
Morning: After a dreamy breakfast of cappuccino and brioche (and let’s be honest, who can resist brioche?!), I headed out for an impromptu photo shoot in Piazza di Spagna with a street artist. I'm talking beautiful, intricate drawings of ballerinas - pure magic! Of course, I had to pose for a couple of pictures wearing my newest acquisition: a gorgeous, vintage pink silk dress from a little boutique on the Via Margutta.
*Midday Delight: *Fanciulla **
- The smell of freshly baked bread and the irresistible lure of colourful, vibrant fruit made me stumble upon Fanciulla, a little artisan bakery and cafe, bursting with character. A charming family business with heart and soul! I indulged in their delicate raspberry tart and an espresso strong enough to power my afternoon exploring!
- I even bought a selection of mini cheesecakes – a special treat to share with a fellow dancer! You see, this week, a wonderful dancer, Clara, who is visiting from Florence has been my guide around the city! We’ve been bonding over tutus and the best pasta spots in Rome.
After Dark - Fashion & The Fountain
- Tonight we are attending a special "Tutus & Cocktails" event, at Bar Trevi right beside the magnificent Trevi Fountain. It’s a unique way to explore Rome’s nighttime magic, enjoying beautiful Italian cocktails while dancing the night away. It's even hosted by a ballerina who used to be part of the famous Bolshoi Ballet!
Sunday 22nd: A Day of Indulgence and Beauty
Gelato, oh so delicious gelato! (Every time you can have a small bowl is a day of indulgence for me.) There is nothing like a perfect cone of fresh Italian gelato. It truly is like biting into sunshine! We savoured ours while walking through Borghese Gallery, where beautiful paintings by Caravaggio and Bernini’s statues seemed to inspire a new feeling in every step I took.
Fashion Focus: Vintage Shops & Designer Finds
- Shopping spree, here we come! Clara is teaching me how to barter, to become a seasoned Italian bargain hunter, and I'm getting a knack for it! We’ve discovered the perfect little shops selling elegant vintage clothing in Campo de' Fiori, and even nabbed some amazing handcrafted shoes from a family-run shoe shop near Piazza Navona. I may even have a new "pink tutu inspired" shopping bag to complete my shopping day - a cute bag I found with dancing ballerina embellishments!
Evening: Back to Derbyshire (and another adventure starts!)
- Tonight, I'm leaving Rome. Back to my little ballet school in Derbyshire - ready to teach the local dancers some of the skills I’ve picked up in Italy, and hopefully inspire them to find their own Pink Tutu adventures! I’ll be busy next week teaching classes and then on Saturday - performing in The Nutcracker ! But it’s always so fulfilling to teach, as I always remember how I felt as a child, being taught by older dancers.
I leave you with these final thoughts from my Pink Tutu journey through Rome…
Rome truly captivated me - the ancient history, the bustling streets, the inspiring art, and the passionate people. It was more than just a trip - it was a symphony for the senses! I’ve come away filled with inspiration, a wardrobe full of pink tutu-worthy finds and the belief that even a little pink tutu can bring magic to every city in the world.
*Stay tuned, my dearest pink tutu fans! *
- I’ll be back next week, on Wednesday 2009-02-25, with my new blog post full of details from The Nutcracker and all my plans for my upcoming tour - I’m travelling across Europe!
*Follow the pink tutu and spread the joy of dance and pink wherever you go! *
With love,
Emma
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