Wednesday 15th April 2009
Ciao bella!
Welcome back to Pink Tutuās Rome adventure! It's been a whirlwind of Roman delights these last few days and my pink tutu and I are thoroughly smitten with this stunning city!
For those of you who havenāt seen my last post (it's ok, you can catch up now! [link to previous post] ) I finally reached Rome after a delightful train journey from Florence. My pink tutu and I had a front row seat for some stunning Tuscan scenery, rolling vineyards, medieval hilltop towns and sunflower fields as far as the eye could see! The perfect setting for me to create some whimsical photos with my very own travelling tutus - Iām hoping they might inspire some of you lovely readers to don a pink tutu, hop on a train and explore Europe. Don't forget to tag me in your pics with the hashtag #pinktutu on Instagram.
Right, back to Romeā¦ the moment my feet touched Roman cobblestone, I knew I was in for a treat! The energy is just electric, a beautiful buzz of life. Itās not just the history or the art, though, itās the vibe ā everyone here just seems so chic and effortlessly stylish, like they're in their own personal fashion magazine. Even the pigeons look fabulous in their tuxedo suits! I can already tell that Iām going to be very inspired here.
Speaking of inspiration, guess where I spent my first Roman afternoon? Thatās right, the iconic Teatro dellāOpera di Roma. The very home of one of my absolute favourite operas, La Traviata.
But first, a pitstop for a quick gelato!
Ciao gelato!
I mean, what trip to Italy would be complete without a little bit of gelato? It is basically a legal requirement, donāt you think? The moment I arrived at this cute little gelateria I knew I was in for a treat.
Imagine, the sun gently kissing your skin, the aroma of coffee and freshly baked bread drifting through the air, and youāre holding this cone of heaven - the texture of this gelato is like nothing I've ever tasted, it just melts in your mouth! So smooth, creamy, and dreamy, a symphony of flavour. Of course, I had to order pink! But not just any pink! A beautiful raspberry sorbetto that danced on my tongue, making me twirl in a spontaneous ballerina frenzy in the middle of the gelato shop -much to the amusement of a group of tourists who thought theyād witnessed an impromptu flash mob. Maybe theyād heard my Roman mantra ā āla vita ĆØ bella, and it's even better with pink!ā
An afternoon at the Opera House
Then it was off to the Teatro dellāOpera di Roma, where Iād booked a tour of this architectural masterpiece. The exterior was majestic, with grand columns and marble steps. Inside, the auditorium was just breath-taking - all ornate details and plush velvet seats. I could practically hear the applause ringing through the hallowed halls. It was almost enough to make my toes tap, and they didn't even have music playing. My heart pounded with a little bit of pre-performance jitters, even though I was just there to admire its beauty!
My little tutu had quite a starring role during the tour - I even snapped a photo of it resting gracefully on one of the velvet opera seats! It looked like it belonged there! My followers on Instagram seemed to agree.
We were taken to the costume workshop where I got to see the painstakingly detailed hand-stitched garments created for the Opera productions, it's incredible the time and passion poured into each costume! Thereās truly an art to costume design.
The highlight of the tour was witnessing a ballet rehearsal, a mesmerising mix of grace and athleticism, all done with such precision and artistry, even just the rehearsal sent chills down my spine! There's truly magic in a ballet performance, the dancers becoming a visual story in movement. I can't wait to see what masterpieces are in store for me during my time in Rome.
Evening aperitivo and street magic
As evening fell, it was time for my first aperitivo experience, a Roman tradition that means āappetiserā, or an informal pre-dinner drink with finger food, nibbles and treats.
Itās hard to find an authentic aperitivo experience in Derbyshire, so Iāve been longing to do it properly ever since arriving in Rome.
I chose a bustling rooftop bar with breathtaking panoramic views of the city, the lights twinkling like diamonds below. As I sipped on a negroni, enjoying the view, I noticed some performers setting up on the terrace below, a street magician. I love seeing a magic show ā it's like having front row seats at the circus!
I love the unexpectedness and wonder that street magic evokes. I had a ring appear in my hand with just the swipe of the magicianās fingers, I thought the magic wouldn't last after the trick was over. But when the illusion left my hand it felt as though it had somehow magically imbued a little of its wonder and magic into me! I still feel the tingly after effect now !
Itās amazing to witness such talented artists who are able to wow crowds with their talents - there are so many talented performers here, some are incredible dancers - I have a hunch Rome is a treasure trove for street entertainment and that I'm going to be making some great discoveries during my stay.
And what better way to finish the night than by indulging in some heavenly pizza?
Oh my pizza!
Oh, the joy! I could indulge in pizza every night and still not feel guilty about it!
The flavour - that symphony of taste! I chose a traditional margherita ā simple yet oh so divine. Thin and crispy, covered in the perfect blend of tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. And then came the cheese! That mozzarella was so stretchy and gooey it felt like it was performing a ballet on the pizza! A delicious finale to a fabulous day in Rome.
My fashion diary
I can't write a blog post without a quick rundown of what I wore today:
- My blush-coloured tutu with rose petal lace overlay was the perfect feminine choice to add some fairy-tale magic to the Roman streets.
- I chose a classic white ballet top that played perfectly against the delicate pink of my tutu. It had a graceful halter neck with flowing chiffon, allowing the movement to flow as I walked.
- My floral print scarf adds a pop of summertime romance to the look!
The star of the show ā my rose gold flats, perfectly matching the floral detail in my scarf and completing the whole outfit with a bit of a sparkle.
I have to say, being in Rome is an absolute fashion inspiration! Itās a melting pot of cultures and style, and everyone's making a statement with their outfits - and they all wear it so well!
I have to give a big shout out to all of my readers - your support always makes my day and motivates me to share more of my adventures, especially as I start working on the choreography for my new ballet production.
* Until next time...Ciao Bella!*
