Ciao bella! It's Wednesday, the day I get to take you all on a trip to my little pink world! This week, I'm jetting you straight to Rome, the Eternal City. Swoon
It’s been a whirl-wind few weeks! You see, this little ballerina just had the most divine performance last week at the Derby Playhouse, starring as Clara in “The Nutcracker.” The entire performance was a dream come true – from twirling with the Sugar Plum Fairy (it was like being on cloud nine!) to dazzling the audience with my big dance solo. Oh, the sheer joy of bringing stories to life on stage!
Of course, after a whirlwind of rehearsals and performances, I needed a little something special. A holiday, that's what I needed! So I packed my pink suitcases (one big one, three smaller ones for shoes, obviously) and boarded a sleek Italian train bound for Rome!
It’s been an absolute blast! You see, Rome isn’t just about historical monuments (although let's be honest, they are incredible!). There’s this incredible sense of joie de vivre. It's in the air!
Day One: I arrived in Rome, and it was a flurry of activity. The Termini Station is absolutely gigantic! (But thankfully, there was a helpful soul to help with my luggage). The streets are alive with scooters, cafes spilling onto pavements, and everyone seems to be either on a stroll, grabbing coffee, or chatting away – even on their way to work!
Now, a little confession: I may have maybe bought a pink tutu at the amazing Via Condotti. Let's just say it’s slightly more lavish than the ones I wear at ballet class, but then again, Rome does have this air of “go big or go home,” you know? Plus, I had to have at least one little pink memento from this wonderful city, don't you think?
In the evening, we indulged in a decadent meal of pasta, pizzas, and wine, at this lovely trattoria just off Piazza Navona. We all ate like Roman emperors!
Day Two: I wanted to soak up every ounce of this city's magic, so it was an early morning! I wanted to experience Rome as the locals do, so after a quick cappuccino (with tons of sugar!), we wandered down narrow streets in Trastevere, dodging street performers and sampling delectable gelato. The architecture here is incredible. It's like stepping into a Renaissance painting! You wouldn't believe the beautiful flowers they grow in window boxes – so many shades of pink! And the aroma of bread wafting out from bakeries...oh, it was pure heaven!
The evening brought the joy of Ballet Opera di Roma. I was a little late due to, ahem, fashion shopping, but let me tell you, the experience was incredible! The opera house was gorgeous and the performance itself, oh, simply breathtaking! It felt like I had been transported to a magical realm! And of course, my little pink tutu got quite a lot of compliments!
Day Three: My third day began with a delicious Italian breakfast: flaky croissants with butter and jam and, yes, more coffee (and, maybe a tiny pastry on the side, why not?).
Next, it was on to the Colosseum, and let me tell you, the size is truly breathtaking. It’s almost impossible to picture what this enormous space once held – the battles, the drama, the history. This incredible monument is more than a building, it’s a palpable reminder of a bygone era.
That evening, I caught the most lovely performance by Teatro Valle. Street performances in Rome are incredible - just another layer of magic added to this fascinating city. I almost completely missed my reservation at this charming little restaurant in the shadow of the Colosseum, though - thank goodness the cabbie knew the way! They brought me a glass of prosecco while I was waiting – much appreciated, I tell you!
Day Four: I woke up and knew I needed some ballet, so badly. It wasn't long until I was at Opera Ballet di Roma for my class, joining other enthusiastic ballet lovers in a series of stunning dance moves and stretches! There's a magical sense of community in ballet, I've always felt it. No matter what corner of the world I am in, that sense of unity and passion is always present! And just try keeping your face serious when a ballerina in pink tutu stands in front of the mirror – impossible! I think my smile was my best move of the whole lesson.
Later, after a quick snack, I indulged in some incredible gelato. Have you tried pistachio gelato? My favourite flavour!
In the afternoon, we wandered through the extraordinary Villa Borghese. I’ve been lucky to see many beautiful gardens in my travels, but the villa and its sculpture gardens were incredible. It truly captures that romantic Italian style and the beauty is simply astounding. I'm sure every princess in a tutu dreams of finding their own garden, wouldn’t you agree?
Day Five: After a morning of admiring art treasures (you have to check out the Vatican! There's a reason it's called a museum, there are tons of beautiful paintings to see) it was time for another dose of Roman delights. After our shopping expedition – you’ll never guess, but there were more pink tutus to be found! – we indulged in one of the most amazing meals I’ve ever had. We chose an outdoor restaurant on the edge of Piazza di Spagna to soak up the atmosphere, the sun, and all that beautiful Italian charms.
The atmosphere was perfect, but the food! The freshest mozzarella I’ve ever had! It was creamy, delicate and made you feel the magic of Italy, and the wine. Don't even get me started on the wine! My wine tasting at the Cantina dei Sapori is going to stay with me for ever – each drop felt like art, if you know what I mean!
Day Six: This was a morning filled with even more art, exploring the intricate beauty of the Borghese Gallery - it’s filled with incredible artwork from the Renaissance, like statues and sculptures, oh, the detail! The Gallery is home to so much talent, and you can feel the heart and passion poured into each brushstroke and sculpted marble.
Later, a friend took me to a special local gem - Via Nazionale. It’s a beautiful street, filled with vintage fashion boutiques. The clothes were all so stylish! It was the perfect spot for hunting down some truly unique items for my wardrobe. Who can say no to a cute, quirky, sparkly dress? Or a beautiful beaded top? Or a fabulous pink feather boa for an extra something-something when performing Romeo and Juliet, or even better, Swan Lake!
And after that, it was back to the hotel to pack for my departure, the end of another glorious trip!
So what's next for me?
Well, I’m currently taking bookings for some upcoming performances in Derbyshire (if you haven’t already bought tickets, I wouldn't be surprised if they are all sold out). As soon as these performances are complete, it's off to Florence to see if the fashion really is as elegant as they say. That’s what’s on the agenda right now!
Until next time, keep shining your light!
Emma xx www.pink-tutu.com
