Oh my dears, I've got to tell you about Vienna! It's like stepping straight out of a waltz and into a fairytale. I arrived yesterday afternoon, and I can't believe how romantic this city is. Just picturing those waltzing couples gliding across the grand ballrooms makes my toes tap. And you know me, anything with romance and twirls is right up my alley!
As you all know, I fund my globetrotting adventures through my love of dance. I perform a few times a week and then spend the rest of the time immersing myself in the city. This week, I'm taking you all with me on this lovely adventure, my darling readers, to Vienna, Austria, the City of Music. The heart of my European tour starts here, and oh darling, it has already captured my heart!
I arrived yesterday morning after a whirlwind train journey, you see. The carriages on this European route were straight out of a Jane Austen novel, plush with dark woods and red velvet upholstery. Honestly, they made the whole train journey a pleasure. Not like the modern bullet trains! There's a romance to the old way of travel, wouldn't you agree?
Vienna is quite simply a ballet paradise. I spent yesterday morning lost in the Staatsoper Wien, or Vienna State Opera. You simply have to see it – the grand entrance with its giant columns and soaring steps is enough to leave you speechless. I was giddy just stepping inside.
Speaking of ballet, have I mentioned how incredible the history here is? Did you know Vienna has one of the oldest and most prestigious ballet schools in the world, the Vienna State Opera Ballet School? The very building was built for ballet and is still going strong after all these years. My head was spinning just reading through the history!
But, darling, I simply couldn’t leave Vienna without experiencing their magnificent ballet tradition, could I? The most breathtaking ballet performance is on tonight, a classic “Swan Lake.” Imagine a beautiful ballerina swan, transforming and captivating everyone. I must admit I spent a whole morning scouring the antique shops of Vienna for the perfect swan-themed pink tutu for tonight. Imagine, a white swan, but made in pink. Simply exquisite! I will have a full post about it later this week with lots of photographs, I promise.
For now, I will keep you updated about Vienna’s exciting week. Later tonight I’m attending a street performance of “Carmen” at the Naschmarkt, a grand open market, just across the street from the stunning baroque Belvedere Palace! Then tomorrow, I will head to the stunning Schönbrunn Palace with its extensive gardens, one of Vienna’s famous historical places. They even have horses here, my favorite! I can already picture myself posing in front of the Schönbrunn palace for my Instagram. My followers will love this!
My love for pink, and let's not forget my tutu obsession, is well known by now, but even here in Vienna, everyone has an obsession with their city, especially their famous cakes and pastries! Today I tried “Sachertorte”, a rich, decadent chocolate cake with a layer of apricot jam and topped with a single piece of chocolate – absolute heaven. I was a little embarrassed when I let out a happy little "oh darling!" when I took my first bite. I suppose I got carried away with the chocolatey bliss. But darling, everyone needs to find something they love!
Vienna, you are truly stealing my heart! I have a feeling I'm going to have to come back many times over the years! If you are thinking of visiting a romantic, culturally rich city, darling, put Vienna on your list – but you'll need more than just one trip, trust me! And now I have to dash to catch a show, but darling, remember, always, always, keep twirling!
Lots of love, Emma
