Vienna, my darlings!
It's Wednesday, so that means another blog post from your favourite pink-tutu-clad traveller, yours truly, Emma! I'm back in Vienna after a whirlwind few days in Prague, and I'm absolutely buzzing with excitement. As you know, Vienna holds a special place in my heart – it's like a giant, beautifully crafted doll's house, just bursting with history, art and, of course, waltz tunes!
This week's adventures have been a lovely mix of classic Vienna charm and, as always, a generous sprinkle of pink! I’ve been flitting through the city in a particularly whimsical pale pink tulle tutu that I found tucked away in a vintage shop off Graben – a true Viennese treasure, if you ask me!
But let's rewind a bit. My journey to Vienna involved a most charming train ride. I adore the romance of travelling by train, and there’s just something about the rhythmic clickety-clack of the wheels against the tracks that sparks my imagination. It's all very "Austrian Grand Prix" in my head, just swap the roaring cars for elegant carriages and the whiff of exhaust fumes for a light perfume of rosewater.
On this occasion, however, my arrival in Vienna was far from ordinary. Imagine, if you will, a horse-drawn carriage with its driver in a crisp black uniform, navigating the bustling streets towards my charming guesthouse. It felt like I'd stepped right into a film set. And what did I do upon arriving? I, of course, did the most Emma thing possible – I burst out into a quick impromptu pirouette, my tulle tutu twirling wildly!
And what is one to do in Vienna on a Wednesday afternoon? Well, darling, one waltzes of course! Vienna is practically synonymous with waltz music, so I couldn't possibly visit without having a twirl. Luckily, there's a lovely dance school right across the road from my guesthouse, and they were welcoming me with open arms (and a generous helping of pastries!) I took a class with a group of locals, and we practised the most elegant waltzes under the watchful gaze of a formidable-looking but truly kind dance instructor. Let's just say my twirling was spot-on, and my tutus made an extra fabulous entrance into the ballroom!
Speaking of tutus, it wouldn’t be a Vienna trip without visiting the Vienna State Opera. My dear grandmother, God bless her, had a lovely voice, and a story she used to tell of dancing with the Prince during a ballet in Vienna, back in the good old days! Vienna's operatic history is absolutely legendary, and they even have the world's largest operatic library (something I am desperate to see!)
Now, of course, every ballerina needs a little shopping therapy – after all, what’s a trip to Vienna without indulging in the city's exquisite fashion scene? This week, my eyes were fixed on finding the most beautiful silk gloves, which I imagine I will be wearing to an upcoming ballet gala in the capital. Luckily, Vienna’s a haven for chic boutiques. I even managed to find a pair of shoes perfectly coordinating with my pink tulle tutu! Oh, I was giddy with delight – the feeling of new, luxurious silk against my fingertips – bliss!
This weekend is going to be full of exciting Viennese delights. There's a classical music concert, a grand cafe brunch with a side of opera, a beautiful ballet performance at the Vienna State Opera, a performance of one of my favourite ballets, The Nutcracker, (naturally wearing my very own pink nutcracker tutu!), and who knows, maybe even another carriage ride – one can always hope!
Of course, I'm going to be sharing it all with you right here on my blog, dear reader. Keep checking back on Wednesday, every week, at www.pink-tutu.com for all the adventures and mishaps! Don't forget to grab your pink tutu, darlings – you know the rules!
Yours in tulle and sparkle, Emma
P.S. What’s your favourite thing about Vienna? Let me know in the comments!
