Hello darlings! It's Wednesday, and you know what that means - a fresh pink tutu blog post from your favourite ballet-loving, pink-obsessed traveller! Today we're whisked away to the magical city of Vienna, Austria - and it's already exceeded all expectations. It's positively enchanting!
This week's travels are brought to you courtesy of a glorious two-week stint as a guest ballerina in Vienna's grand State Opera House. What a privilege! After two weeks of pirouettes and performances, my wardrobe is bursting with beautiful pink ballet wear (you'll have to wait until my next post to see what treasures I've uncovered - wink wink).
We arrived on Friday, a whirlwind of waltzing train journeys, elegant pastries at the station (a most welcome introduction to Vienna’s delightful cuisine), and a rather funny moment when my suitcase popped open on the platform. My lovely tutu and ballet shoes, in their pristine little pouches, were scattered amongst the platform luggage! (Honestly, some people are so careless! But of course, everything got cleaned and back in its place - thank goodness for travel insurance!)
After settling in our charmingly quaint B&B (with the most beautiful vintage floral wallpaper in my room, I felt like I'd stepped straight into a storybook!), the first order of the day was - you guessed it! - finding a magnificent pink tutu for our exploration of this magnificent city. The answer to our dreams (and a veritable haven for any fashionista!) was a quaint, boutique-laden alleyway called "Passage du Four".
Can you imagine? This adorable little street, bursting with vibrant colours and enchanting scents of pastries and coffee. After browsing through so many gorgeous fabrics, we finally found it! My new Vienna pink tutu was a true masterpiece, a confection of tulle and silk, adorned with delicate sequins. My fellow ballerina, Clara, picked a stunning deep sapphire blue with feathers! Imagine the pictures! I can't wait to share them in a special tutu shoot on Saturday afternoon, when we'll visit the iconic Belvedere Palace and gardens - talk about the perfect backdrop!
Saturday evening, of course, involved another ballet masterpiece, at the State Opera House. This week’s performance was ‘The Sleeping Beauty’, and the stage set was simply breathtaking - think magnificent chandeliers, exquisite tapestries, and a touch of royal charm. But you know me - I’m all about the details! The ballerina’s costumes were beyond beautiful - silk, sequins, delicate tulle - all the ingredients for a fabulous ballet experience. It's these magical details that transport you to another time, another world - and as I twirled across the stage, I felt an almost euphoric joy. (That might be the sugar rush from all the incredible chocolate Viennese Sacher Torte though).
On Monday, I discovered that Vienna wasn't just about waltzing through fairytale streets. My favourite moment? Discovering an absolutely delightful little street performance on one of Vienna’s famous coffee-house filled plazas. Two street performers - one on violin, the other on an acoustic guitar - brought the iconic Vivaldi Concerto ‘Winter’ to life. We were so enchanted we ended up staying for two hours, sitting in the sunshine with the other onlookers, enthralled by their vibrant energy. (Who knew classical music could be so fun in the middle of a busy street? You’ve got to be creative, darlings! We may even try our own little street performance tomorrow after our ballet class in Schönbrunn Palace – that is, if we can convince my darling ballerina Clara!)
And let’s not forget the delectable delights of Vienna! Every day seems like a symphony of flavours and smells - from freshly baked pastries bursting with juicy fruits, to hearty schnitzel dinners at cosy traditional pubs, all washed down with refreshing apricot iced tea and creamy Viennese coffee. Vienna’s gastronomy is simply delicious.
But you know me - I have a love for all things historical, and so a day spent discovering the city’s stunning architecture was in order! A grand imperial palace (Schönbrunn), cobbled streets that whispered stories of empires, a vast network of underground tunnels that sparked imaginations, and historical museums packed with intriguing relics, painted a vivid picture of Vienna’s fascinating history. (We’ll delve further into those fascinating tales in my next post – there’s simply too much to cram in here, and frankly, darling, it’s time for me to enjoy my well-deserved, afternoon tea break!)
What can I say about Vienna? This city is like a sparkling gem, sparkling with elegance, history and an undeniable charisma. It’s filled with stunning sights, incredible ballet opportunities, a captivating blend of traditional charm and modern flair, and of course, an absolute treasure trove of stunning pink tutus (I shall not reveal all my purchases now - that's a surprise for next week!).
Vienna - you have completely stolen my heart! (And my travel budget, for that matter - but hey, when the city is this charming, you can't resist indulging in a little pink tutu shopping, now can you?).
And to all my readers, remember to live life in a pink tutu! Stay fabulous, stay curious, and never be afraid to embrace a bit of pink in your lives. And, I can’t wait to tell you all about my adventures in Salzburg in my next post!
Stay tuned, my dear ballet-loving, pink tutu-wearing friends!
With love and a swirl of pink,
Emma
