Wednesday 31st January 2024
Hello my lovely tutu-wearing cherubs! It's your girl Emma, back from the cobbled streets of Rome with a heart full of pasta, gelato, and enough inspiration for a thousand pink tutus. As usual, I'm taking you with me on my weekly wanderings, and this week's adventure was all about the Eternal City, where ancient history and contemporary glamour collide in a symphony of romance. And just imagine, it all happened while I was twirling around in my new, oh-so-Roman inspired, pink tulle creation!
I'm sure you'll be surprised to hear that I actually arrived by train! I love nothing more than travelling by rail. It gives me time to catch up on some reading, maybe even practice some pirouettes in the aisle (it’s always a surprise to my fellow passengers!) I usually avoid the dreaded train delays by opting for a First Class ticket – a tiny bit of luxury goes a long way! Rome station wasn’t as crowded as I thought, perhaps because of the early arrival – and you can believe I’d timed it just right to get to the hotel in time for breakfast!
Once settled in, I popped on my tutu (naturally, the perfect way to celebrate a city where fashion rules!) and headed out to explore. First stop? A little vintage shop I had marked on my map – a treasure trove of dusty treasures with sequins galore! I found the most fabulous pair of crystal-encrusted heels, which would be the perfect match for the next performance. You just wait and see – they are stunning!
Of course, no trip to Rome would be complete without indulging in the local delicacies, and I’m not afraid to admit that I indulged, slightly. The perfect Italian day starts with the aroma of fresh bread, coffee, and a plate piled high with cheeses and charcuterie. I did, however, resist the call of the pizza and instead chose a classic plate of carbonara – creamy and cheesy, it’s simply divine!
After lunch, it was time for some culture. I ventured to the Coliseum, imagining the gladiators battling and the crowd roaring. The scale of this place is mind-boggling, and even in its state of disrepair, it exudes a sense of grandeur and power that sent chills down my spine. But of course, the perfect photo opportunity couldn’t be missed – I even had a couple of passerby tourists ask to pose with me in my tutu! It never fails to make me smile!
Later, I treated myself to a gelato at a tiny, family-run shop. Flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, and tiramisu just screamed Italy. As I savored each mouthful, I felt that all was right in the world, my tastebuds dancing like sugar plum fairies in my belly!
Later in the evening, a friend from Derby was visiting. It was a fabulous coincidence – so many stories to share from both of our exciting weeks. We spent the evening discussing everything under the sun and our trip to the opera was incredible! This year I seem to be having a theatrical streak. The combination of the opera music, the amazing performance, and the fact that I had a delicious pre-theatre supper of steak and frites was pure bliss.
However, after three hours of soaring vocals, an amazing story, and the most incredible costumes, we headed back to the hotel exhausted. All the fun can be hard work you know!
This little taste of Italy was simply irresistible, and as always, my pink tutu made every moment a little more magical. Don't forget to follow me on Instagram for more updates from my travels, and for even more photos of my daily ballet adventures. If you are feeling brave enough to try on a pink tutu then why not leave me a message with some pictures in the comments below – I can’t wait to see them!
Ciao for now, and remember, life's a ballet. Keep twirling, darlings!
Emma xx
