#1324: La Dolce Vita, Tutuesque Style
Ciao from sunny Rome! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad travel blogger, bringing you another instalment of my adventures from the eternal city.
This week's adventure in the City of Seven Hills started, as always, with a delicious breakfast of espresso and croissants at the cutest little cafe just around the corner from my Airbnb. Honestly, every morning in Rome is an assault on my tastebuds in the most wonderful way.
I know some people might think wearing a tutu in the centre of Rome would be a bit outlandish, but I reckon it adds a touch of whimsical joy to everything! Besides, with the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain – let's be honest, everything in Rome is a bit outlandish already. I've been trying to keep the pink in check – although this sunshine makes the pink tutu just about perfect!
But let's get down to the nitty-gritty of what makes Rome so darn captivating. It's a city that breathes history. As you stroll down cobbled streets, it feels as though the ghosts of emperors and gladiators are just around the corner. I popped by the Pantheon on Tuesday and I couldn't get over how massive it is – even through a veil of tourists. Just standing there, with that magnificent dome towering above me, you can almost feel the centuries coming to life.
Of course, my visit wasn't solely about history. The Eternal City is a haven for fashion, and this week, I've indulged in some seriously splendid shopping. Seriously, this city has the most delightful little boutiques tucked away down side streets, just begging to be explored. You can find exquisite leather bags, beautiful handmade jewellery and gorgeous clothes - perfect for my burgeoning wardrobe (I'll be posting all the new goodies on Instagram, naturally!).
One of the things I love about Italy, apart from the food (seriously, the food! Did I mention how much I love Italian food?) is the beautiful people. Romans have an innate style that's a mixture of chic and effortless. From the way they throw a scarf around their neck to the chic leather bags they carry, they ooze a certain confidence. It's not just about the clothes either, but the way they wear them with pride. You've got to love that about Italians.
But today is Wednesday, and as you all know, Wednesday is my ballet day! There's an absolutely fabulous ballet company based in Rome - Opera di Roma. They put on a truly brilliant show - all that emotion, grace and movement. It’s just magical! It reminds me so much of the magic that I feel when I’m dancing, whether it’s on stage, on a street, in the woods… or just twirling around in my tutu! And of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without seeing a ballet performance. I've got tickets for 'La Bayadère' tonight, so you can expect a full run-down of the show on Friday. (If anyone else is in Rome tonight - message me!)
This weekend, I'll be heading to the Galleria Borghese, home to one of the best collections of Renaissance and Baroque art in the world. If you love art, the sculptures by Bernini are absolutely breath-taking. I'll be taking tons of pictures of the galleries themselves (don’t worry, I’ll try not to have the flash blinding every passerby), which will be up on the blog soon! But it wouldn't be a Rome trip without at least one 'pizza al taglio' experience (that’s slice of pizza to the rest of us). Oh, and a glass of something deliciously chilled – something I’m very much looking forward to tonight!
Before I go, I wanted to tell you about a brilliant thing I did the other day – and I am officially putting this down as one of the best experiences I have ever had! It was one of the most breathtakingly beautiful things I have ever seen. A secret to those who love ballet is that you can often see amazing performances in less traditional settings – that doesn’t just mean dancing in the street, or performances in the woods! For me, it was all about dancing on top of one of Rome’s most amazing monuments. There were 4 of us (including my gorgeous boyfriend – you’ll have to see the pictures! ) The sunset lit up the sky in the most spectacular colours. A moment that was unforgettable. The setting was a bit different (you’ll see the photo!) but the grace, beauty, the amazing movement… it was perfect, and definitely inspired by my tutu (which of course, I was wearing.)
So, stay tuned for the blog next week, and do send your love and ballet vibes to Rome! And most of all, remember – a little pink tutu can take you anywhere!
Love,
Emma
P.S. If you are feeling inspired, why not throw on your favourite pink tutu (if you have one! and if you don’t then get out there and get one!) and snap a selfie to send to my Instagram! Who knows, you might even get featured on my blog! You know, there's something magical about pink, the joy it brings, and the way it encourages creativity! Maybe that's why the Romans were so good at art.
