Oh, Vienna! You are just so... breathtaking! I truly thought that Paris was the pinnacle of chic, but this city takes the cake, darlings. The architecture, the cobbled streets, the beautiful parks... itās all so enchanting, like stepping into a classic ballet set. And of course, let's not forget the food. Viennese cuisine is something special, and the pastries! Oh my, you simply must try the Sachertorte, I've never had a chocolate cake like it.
And guess what, lovelies? This week, I managed to sneak in not one, but two performances! You see, it's all about balancing that graceful ballerina life with the joy of travel. I know youāre all wondering how a girl from Derbyshire ends up flitting between Paris and Viennaā¦well, darling, let's just say a pink tutu can open many doors! My secret? Performance fundraising! A little twirl here, a graceful pirouette there, and it funds the flights, the train rides, and yes, even the shoes, all to satisfy my wanderlust.
A Royal Ballet Adventure
First, I sashayed my way to the Staatsoper (the Vienna State Opera), a grand, historic building, you simply must visit if youāre in town. I'd heard tell of this āSchwanenseeā ballet (that's āSwan Lakeā to you non-ballet aficionados), and darling, it was absolutely magical. This performance of the classic Swan Lake was like stepping into a fairytale. The costumes, oh my goodness, the costumes! Every detail, every feather on Odetteās white tutu, and those exquisite, glittering dresses on the other swans - simply exquisite! It was almost enough to make me wish I had an extra pair of hands just to clutch at the magnificence of it all. I was mesmerized by the elegant dancers, the beautiful music, the story. Oh, the emotion, the grace, it was breathtaking.
But there was another reason why I went to the State Opera, apart from the fabulous dancing, darling. Have you heard about this new, gorgeous, vintage store? It's located just across the street, tucked away, almost like a little secret. It's called āDie Schƶne Boutique,ā (that translates to āThe Beautiful Boutiqueā), and itās truly a little piece of vintage heaven. Inside, they have a beautiful selection of everything you can imagine, with exquisite 1950s dresses, 1920s flapper skirts, 1930s evening gowns, you name it. I just couldnāt resist a little afternoon of clothes shopping in between the ballet and the cafe. You simply cannot imagine the glorious colour of the fabrics ā think deep scarlet velvets, powder blue chiffons and exquisite emerald silk. My head was spinning with ideas!
From Ballet to Horses
After a delightful afternoon spent surrounded by all things vintage, my love for the classics led me to something else I simply had to experience ā Viennaās famous Lipizzaner horses!
Now, some of you may not know, but these beautiful, white, Spanish horses, well, they're renowned for their graceful movements, elegant postures and sheer beauty! I was transported back in time to the Royal Riding School. Seeing these amazing horses trained to perfection, with every movement and prance so graceful and controlled, it's just so exhilarating, it makes you want to leap from your seat and dance yourself. And the smell! A mix of polished leather, straw and horses ā it's a beautiful mix. This truly was a different kind of ballet, one full of equine artistry and strength.
Riding Through The City of Music
Whatās the perfect thing to do after witnessing the magnificent display of horse power at the riding school? Why, ride a horse through Vienna itself, of course!
This was an adventure that took my breath away. Riding through the heart of the city, seeing Vienna in a way only locals get to see ā now, that is travel. I must confess, the initial feeling of excitement was a little nerve-wracking. This was, after all, my first time on a horse in the heart of a city! The gentle rhythm of the horse beneath me soon replaced any nervous jitters. And let me tell you, riding through the parks, the quiet, cobblestone streets of the old town, it felt like a ballet on a grand scale! The horses, so gentle, took it all in stride. It felt so exhilarating. I canāt recommend this experience enough!
And Speaking of Balletā¦
So, now I'm all set for a whole new adventure: Vienna's famous Burgtheater! Yes, you heard right. The theatre, lovelies, but not just any theatre, but one of Vienna's grandest. And tomorrow, tomorrow theyāre presenting āFaustā ā Johann Wolfgang von Goetheās dramatic play! Now, Goetheā¦his writing is so poetic, so dramatic, the epitome of romanticism. I am thrilled to experience it brought to life by the incredible talent of Vienna's performers. And imagine it! My evening begins with a trip to the most exquisite shop for vintage clothing and then moves straight into a grand night of performance, all within this wonderful city! Talk about a night of beauty, grace and sheer excitement. You see, even though Iām in love with ballet, I've realised that the heart of this trip is the feeling of enchantment, of beauty, and how these themes flow from a classic performance to a horse and cart ride through the cobblestone streets and, now, into a grand playhouse.
And guess what, darlings? As soon as Iām back in my Derbyshire haven, Iāll be posting about this delightful weekend, including all my favourite vintage finds and of course, my outfit of the day. Now, the only thing missing is a sprinkle of pink. How perfectly delightful! Iāll find a little pink flourish to bring some colour to my next blog, and in the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for a surprise tutu in the photos ā youāll have to find it yourself!
Remember, lovelies, keep on dreaming, keep on dancing, and remember that anything is possible, with a little twirl and a sprinkle of pink.
See you next Wednesday!
Emma x
- Donāt forget to check out my website at www.pink-tutu.com !
(P.S: I've included some fabulous photos of Vienna and all the wonders I experienced!)
