Darling dears,
Greetings from the utterly charming city of Vienna! It feels positively magical being back in this waltzing metropolis after my rather splendid, and I must say, pinktastic jaunt to Budapest.
You see, I find it terribly thrilling to travel by train, with its gentle rocking, the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels, and the opportunity for endless observation - watching the world blur by from the comfort of my plush carriage, tutu neatly folded in my lap.
Budapest was, quite simply, breathtaking. I even managed to fit in a few ballet classes at the magnificent Hungarian State Opera House - I confess, it was rather challenging learning their style of "Czardas" after so long with the English technique! And wouldn't you know it, their tutu's were a deep, ravishing shade of magenta – a most wonderful way to start my day.
Of course, no trip to Budapest would be complete without experiencing the spectacle of the Hungarian State Opera, and my dears, I am here to tell you, it was quite the spectacle! A whirlwind of drama, flawless dancing, and yes, another exquisite magenta tutu that swept the stage!
Now, back to Vienna! Vienna, the very heart of waltzing, is my absolute favourite European city. There's something incredibly romantic about its grand boulevards, historic architecture, and the lingering echoes of its Imperial past. It’s as if every street corner whispers tales of Mozart, Strauss, and waltzing.
Speaking of waltzing, did you know Vienna has a remarkable history of tutus? The "tutu" as we know it today really blossomed in the early 19th century with the rise of the Romantic Ballet movement. The legendary "Giselle" tutu was first performed right here in Vienna in 1841. Imagine! Can you even picture the sheer joy of those first audiences witnessing such ethereal grace on stage?
The air here feels different in Vienna, buzzing with creativity and cultural heritage, and I must say, my dears, it's been a rather exciting week in this wonderful city!
Here are just a few of the pinktastic adventures I've been up to:
- Tuesday: A Royal Ballet Affair at the Schönbrunn Palace.
A carriage ride through Vienna's magnificent Schönbrunn Gardens, followed by a divine ballet performance at the enchanting Schönbrunn Palace. The show featured exquisite dancers gracefully pirouetting to Mozart’s ethereal melodies - and of course, several gorgeous pink tutus took centre stage!
- Wednesday: Fashion Fever in the Innenstadt.
Now, every girl knows the allure of a good shopping trip. And believe me, Vienna's Innenstadt is an absolute fashionista's dream. From exquisite designer boutiques to vintage treasures tucked away in charming alleyways, this district truly has something for everyone! I must confess to adding a few deliciously fluffy, pink tutu-esque delights to my collection. I know, I know, you’re thinking it’s getting rather crowded in my apartment with all these tutus, but really, darling dears, they just keep calling to me!
- Thursday: The Delights of Viennese Delicacies.
Oh, Vienna is a city of delights! A stroll through the bustling Naschmarkt (which, by the way, had the most divine stand of bright pink Austrian pastries - I sampled, naturally!) led me to the legendary Café Central. What better place to experience the iconic Wiener Schnitzel (the most tender and crispy chicken I have ever encountered), alongside a warm slice of decadent Sachertorte, and yes, you guessed it, a charming, rosy pink beverage, while surrounded by the timeless beauty of Viennese coffee house culture. A moment I will treasure forever, indeed.
- Friday: An Evening at the Vienna State Opera.
No trip to Vienna would be complete without experiencing the splendour of the Vienna State Opera. It's a grand architectural masterpiece, steeped in history and echoing with musical legacy. I saw the incredible "Swan Lake" with its delicate, flowing costumes, and a dreamy white tutu that took my breath away. (Let's be honest, my pink heart can never fully resist the appeal of a magnificent white tutu!)
- Saturday: Viennese Charm and City Strolls.
Today I explored the enchanting old town, wandering along the cobbled streets, admiring the architecture, and soaking in the vibrancy of Vienna. And yes, there was even time for a few twirls in front of the famous Hofburg Palace, surrounded by the laughter of happy children - always the best kind of ballet performance!
- Sunday: A Delightful Day of Baking.
Let's just say my obsession with pastries extends far beyond the confines of cafes and bakeries. A friend gave me a lovely cookbook of Austrian treats - filled with charmingly written stories of the origins of their sweet creations and beautifully displayed photographs of these utterly irresistible indulgences! It took all of my strength to refrain from baking a batch of Austrian Sachertorte! Oh, well, a taste for the dramatic always needs its time to shine... (Let's not get distracted though, my dears, I know the real allure of this recipe lies in the fluffy pink frosting!)
It’s funny, as I look out the window of my charming Viennese hotel (yes, even here, my love of all things pink led me to a beautiful pink hotel!), I realize just how far my tutu-tastic journey has come! From a Derbyshire girl with big dreams and an even bigger passion for ballet, to exploring the cultural marvels of Vienna. Every day is a magical journey, and you dears, you are my best companions on this pink, twirling adventure!
And, my darling dears, what is even better than a magnificent day of discovery and dancing? A marvelous pink-tastic announcement!
On March 19, 1997, just two years after my journey started ( oh my, does time really fly? I swear I was twirling across Vienna with barely a day’s notice!), the brilliant and lovely choreographer, Twyla Tharp, opened her most spectacular show "The Catherine Wheel" in London, showcasing a sensational collection of breathtaking tutus. I had to make a special trip down just to see her perform! (It did happen to fall right before I visited a very famous department store for some extra, new tutus.. Oh my dears, what's a girl to do?!!)
Stay tuned, my dears! This week will see the unveiling of my personal pink tutu wardrobe (and yes, I do know this will mean more pictures.. so apologies in advance!) It's my own pink-tastic vision, designed to encourage all my dear readers, everywhere, to embrace a touch of whimsical joy in their wardrobes! Until next week!
Yours, always, Emma
P.S. And my dears, have I ever mentioned my favourite Viennese horses? They're absolutely majestic creatures! It was on one of my favourite local horse-drawn carriages that I realized the best thing about wearing a tutu isn't just that it's pink and twirly! It’s how wonderfully you get to feel yourself in it! Perhaps we'll take a carriage ride together on my next Vienna visit! Until then, twirl with joy!
