Buongiorno, darlings! It's your favourite tutu-wearing traveller, Emma, here, back from a whirlwind week in the beautiful, vibrant city of Rome! And what a week it was! From ancient ruins to bustling markets, breathtaking art to mouth-watering food, this city truly stole my heart (and my stomach). But most importantly, I finally realised what every tutu-loving girl should be doing in Rome – indulging in the balletic magic that permeates this historic city!
Now, you might be thinking, "Emma, why Rome? What could a ballerina possibly find there?" Well, let me tell you, Rome is a ballet-lover's paradise!
As usual, my travels were funded by my latest ballet performance - a rendition of Swan Lake at the Derbyshire Theatre – and as you know, I do love travelling by train. I found a great little hotel tucked away near the Termini station and a brilliant little boutique just opposite. Imagine my delight when I stumbled across a stunning pink sequined mini skirt in the window. I had to have it. Now I have two tutus and three pink skirts for all my Italian adventures. Fantastic.
Wednesday (which, as you all know, is Pink Tutu day!), was dedicated to soaking up the historical grandeur of the Colosseum. Can you imagine dancing ballet under its shadow? That thought has got me dreaming about choreographing a ballet in this extraordinary location – it would be absolutely stunning! Then I was off to a splendid fashion parade - not that I’d call it that myself - at Via Condotti, one of the city's most luxurious shopping streets. I have always been drawn to vintage style. And I have a new obsession with vintage hats for the autumn, particularly floppy felts with pink ribbons and feathered pink boas. I did slightly worry that I wouldn’t look good in a fedora. After all, we do tend to think of fedoras and Panama hats as quite masculine. But, the shops here have amazing collections of vintage feminine accessories. Let me tell you, if you really need something to go with your perfectly pink tutu, come here! They've even got some vintage tutus and those pink ballet shoes! It's like a ballet fantasy. I found a gorgeous pearl white vintage silk hat which goes beautifully with the sequins! I can see myself totally working that look when I go for my first ballet class ever in Rome!
Thursday was the day for ballet. Imagine this – a beautiful* *classical ballet theatre with its soaring ceiling, and an utterly mesmerizing performance by the world-renowned Teatro dell’Opera di Roma. It was a stunning production of La Traviata with some *outstanding *dance sequences! *Wonderful! And to make it even more fantastic, my lovely sister bought us tickets for another show, this time the incredibly *beautiful *The Sleeping Beauty at the Opera di Roma! It’s like ballet keeps calling me back here - which, to be honest, is completely fine by me!
Oh, I can't forget the food. Italy and Rome are like a heavenly symphony for my taste buds! I devoured pizza, pasta, amazing gelato, and of course, a slice of tiramisu with a cup of coffee, just because every girl should have tiramisu when she's in Rome. Every last crumb was gone! And of course, I made sure to pair my every meal with a glass of sparkling rose. A girl's gotta keep hydrated.
As for Friday, I had to go to a local market. All those bright, bold colours - just what a girl needs to brighten her week. The vibrant colours completely inspired me. It was just what my ballerina soul needed! So, for the first time ever, I'm starting my own ballet class in Rome. That's right! You can call me The Pink Tutu Princess in the *Pink Tutu Studio on Saturday morning. Let me know *if you want to join me. You don't have to wear a pink tutu – I am all about celebrating everyone’s love for ballet - however they want to express themselves. But it would be so nice if you did. Maybe we can make the most of that sunshine-yellow tutu I bought on Friday morning? It would look just wonderful on the steps!
Rome's magic really did leave a permanent mark on me, a tutu-tastic kind of mark! You just never know what adventures lie in wait around the next corner in the beautiful, breathtakingly magical city of Rome! You never know when I’ll be coming back for another ballet-filled adventure, but I am certainly not leaving the pink tutu at home again, ever.
This is my love letter to Rome and its ballet! See you again next Wednesday, my dearest darlings!
With love from the Eternal City,
Emma, the Pink Tutu Princess.
P.S. Did you know that the famous Trevi fountain is only 600 metres from my hotel? Oh! And, do let me know your favourite place in Rome.
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and see what adventures await you!
