Oh, hello darlings! Itās Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad, ballet-obsessed travel blogger, and guess where I am?! Youād never believe it! Itās Llanelli, Wales! Yes, you heard that right. This little slice of Welsh heaven is captivating my heart (and my Instagram feed).
I journeyed here by the most delightful method ā the Great Western Railway, naturally. I just love trains. They whisk you away to magical new places, and with a little imagination, you can pretend you're a ballerina dancing your way through the countryside. Plus, I managed to squeeze in some time for my ballet class at the local studio, a lovely place called The Dance Academy Llanelli ā how glamorous is that?! It was all pirouettes and plies with the lovely locals.
Anyway, back to Llanelli. The town is an absolute charmer, brimming with a unique Welsh charm that just warms my soul. The colourful streets are a treat for the eyes, and I absolutely fell head-over-heels for their beautiful park, Stebonheath Park, where the manicured lawns seemed to go on forever. Perfect for a ballet-inspired picnic! Speaking of, I'm dreaming of performing my latest choreographed number amidst those graceful swans - oh, how lovely they are, so majestic! Did you know, Llanelli has the best collection of Swans in Wales?! And don't get me started on the geese!
Now, Llanelli isn't just about scenic walks and swan encounters (although those are pretty great!). This vibrant town has an interesting history and culture, and a lively arts scene, something I just love to be a part of! It was fantastic to discover that Llanelli boasts one of Walesā biggest open-air stages! They actually hosted a Shakespeare performance right here in Stebonheath Park this summer, and my goodness! That's right folks! Imagine seeing one of Shakespeareās classics performed in such a picturesque location, surrounded by such natural beauty. Just divine!
Naturally, Iāve made a point of finding the most adorable little tea room, the aptly named Pink Cottage, serving all things dainty and delicious. They even offered me a custom-made pink-tutu inspired cake, and let's just say it was quite the confectionary masterpiece.
Speaking of pink masterpieces, my favourite fashion finds in Llanelli definitely have a touch of pink. The lovely independent shops, filled with trinkets and treasures, have so many delightful things for every ballerina in training. I've even spotted some lovely pink floral dresses and vintage accessories that would look incredible paired with a tutu, which is exactly what I'll be sporting on my visit to the grand Llanelli Town Hall!
Travel Tip!
Want to get there like me? The train journey from Derbyshire was truly idyllic, especially as I happened to catch the last summer rays setting ablaze the landscape as the sun dipped below the horizon, a truly breathtaking experience. The perfect start to my trip! It took a little over four hours from my home county, and was oh so tranquil. My advice? Remember to look out the window at the scenery; thereās always a charming little village or some majestic scenery unfolding for you to soak in. Oh, and a light pink lipstick is always essential for train journeys - just like my ballet bag essentials: a good ballet book to pass the time (this one was a re-read of The Magic of the Dancing Horses by Marjorie Henderson, for those of you keeping track), and some dainty snacks, perfect for my fellow travel fashionistas!
Time for a Horseback Adventure!
My dear readers, I love the chance to see the world from a different perspective, and that brings me to my next adventure ā Llanelli has something that gets my heart racing in a different way - horseback riding! And what a fantastic way to explore the rolling green countryside. Yes, folks, my love of animals also extends to the noble steed!
Don't worry, my riding gear is all in keeping with the theme. I chose a soft shade of pink helmet that actually has the daintiest tutu detailing, naturally, paired with a saddle cover in a shade I'd call āballet slipper pinkā for that touch of ballerina chic.
Imagine this: The gentle warmth of the sun on my face as I gallop across fields of lush greenery, the fresh countryside air filling my lungs, the thrill of freedom! I even had my Tutu-inspired āI Believe in Unicornsā tote bag hanging from the saddle for all to admire. Yes, Llanelli truly knows how to indulge my every fantasy! I mean, honestly, is it really even a blog post without a few horse related anecdotes? I know my faithful followers can't get enough!
So, if youāre looking for an enchanting weekend getaway, Iād suggest making a stop at Llanelli. It's truly a magical spot with the charm of a small town and a hidden beauty just waiting to be discovered.
And now, time to don my sparkly, custom-designed ballet shoes (they came with pink bows, obviously!) and start planning my next dance adventure in this charming town. You'll just have to keep an eye out for my next post, coming tomorrow!
Remember to spread the ballet love, darlings!
Yours in pinks and twirls,
Emma
