Well, hello my darling tutu-lovers! It's Wednesday again, which means it's time for a brand-new blog post from your favourite pink tutu-clad traveller, right here in the heart of Vienna! Itās been a whirlwind week, and believe me, Iāve got tales to tell! I can already tell you itās going to be a long one, so grab your favourite pink beverage and a comfy armchair and letās get started. Youāre about to delve into the world of ballet, fashion, and a dash of pink tutu magic, all set in this beautiful city, which has become a firm favourite of mine.
But before we dive into Viennaās enchanting charms, let's talk about tu-tu history! I just canāt resist a bit of a history lesson and how amazing they are. You know how I adore all things vintage, well, in the early days of ballet, tutu designs were all about grandeur. Picture layers and layers of tulle, creating this monumental skirt that wouldnāt be out of place in a grand ball gown. Those majestic tutus took up a LOT of space! Imagine twirling around a stage, trying to maintain your composure while feeling like you're wearing a fluffy pink cloud! And then came the change ā those big tutus slowly started becoming smaller, thanks to Maria Taglioni, the first real ballet star. The first āRomantic Tutuā was born!
Today, I think I have the perfect combination of historical grand and modern flair. Mine is pink of course. And fluffy! And comfortable! And allows me to get around this grand city in style and comfort!
The way I fund my adventures, darling, you ask? Ballet! The beautiful art of movement! I perform where I travel - it's a dream, you know, to be able to fund my wanderlust by doing what I love! Plus, there's always a touch of tutus involved!
Now, let's waltz back to Vienna, shall we?
This week, Vienna was simply glowing in the sunshine. I just loved taking strolls through the grand avenues and alleyways, breathing in that crisp Austrian air, the scent of fresh pastries lingering, all whilst marveling at the stunning architecture. You know Iāve mentioned this before - the buildings are like stepping into a fairy tale! Every corner you turn is an Instagram moment, a picture perfect shot with the light bouncing off gold leaf and vibrant painted faƧades.
Shopping
Speaking of fairytale, my shopping spree was a grand affair this week. The grand avenues, filled with boutique stores with stunning, elegant clothes that just begged to be brought home, gave me such a thrill. From antique shops, tucked away like precious jewels, to glamorous designer stores, I lost myself in a world of fashion and luxury, a delicious little bit of retail therapy. And of course, I always try to incorporate my pink tutu, bringing a bit of my signature flair wherever I go!
This tripās highlight has been an adorable little hat shop I found near the Belvedere Palace. There are more pink hats than you can possibly imagine ā and that was perfect for a certain tutu-wearing ballerina! Oh, I must say, their craftsmanship was superb ā each hat crafted with love and attention to detail. There's no detail left to chance! The pink one, with tiny satin bows, is already living in my luggage!
And the most perfect discovery! A little tutu shop, in a hidden lane, right behind the Vienna State Opera House! My tutu dreams came true! I could almost cry!
Now, youād think with a name like āPink Tutu Viennaā thereād be more pink, right? Well, yes! But there are some fashion shops in Vienna that have a āstrictly blackā approach. Some places were a little dark for my pink sensibilities ā think a little black dress for a cocktail party with no bright colours in sight, no sunshine or smiles!
The contrast to my wardrobe! There I am, in a vibrant pink tutu, waltzing down the cobbled street. Heads turn, smiles bloom, and thereās a hint of laughter in the air as people gaze, taken aback by the colour explosion! That, my darlings, is what it's all about! A little touch of joy and whimsy wherever I go, just like a sprinkle of pink glitter on the everyday.
Ballet Magic
Talking about the Vienna State Opera House - I saw the most amazing performance last night, the āGiselleā ā absolutely mesmerising! The story, the music, the dancing, everything about it just took my breath away. Such an elegant story of love and loss, I felt a few tears prickling my eyes as the music crescendoed, all the while mesmerized by the graceful ballerinas.
Speaking of Giselle ā did you know her tutu wasnāt pink? She is iconic but Iād bet itās been pink since she danced through her world. Itās something I have been trying to explore!
As a dancer myself, I feel so inspired every time I watch a ballet! There's something truly magical about seeing professional dancers bring these classic stories to life on stage. I always want to get up and join them, just swirl and twirl in that magnificent ballet theatre! Youāre going to have to be prepared for me to take on the Vienna State Opera in a few weeks, maybe it will have to be with my own tutu and pink ballet slippers. Oh darling, just imagine!
Travels by Horse and Train
I also embarked on a charming adventure a little outside of Vienna, on a trip to a nearby castle. There is just something incredibly romantic about travelling by horse, and let me tell you, riding through the beautiful rolling hills surrounded by lush green meadows was an absolute dream come true. Imagine, the sound of hoofbeats echoing across the fields, the crisp country air, the sun sparkling on golden leaves - such perfect moments!
To travel to my chosen castle, I took the train ā the Vienna rail system is such an easy way to navigate the city and beyond. It is clean, efficient, and with comfy, plush seating, perfect for a quick nap, even for a pink tutu-clad lady! The journey, though short, allowed me to admire the sprawling green landscape, just as you do on the open carriage ride ā you see everything on the countryside and all of Viennaās beautiful outskirts! Itās always a reminder of the simple pleasures, something I adore. And, I managed to capture some of those countryside moments, taking pictures, all for the Pink Tutu blog, of course!
Eating the Pastries
But darling, no travelogue is complete without mentioning food, especially in Austria! Where does one even begin?! I'm a big fan of everything delicious! In fact, one of my first discoveries this week was a wonderful cafe near the Schƶnbrunn Palace - this place had to be a haven for cake lovers, the sweet aroma drifting from their little bakery beckoned me like a siren.
They had every cake and pastry under the sun, from classic Apfelstrudel (that glorious apple tart) to decadent Sachertorte (Vienna's own version of chocolate cake), with their famous swirls of apricot jam.
Oh! And donāt even get me started on the little cafes Iāve found all over the city ā perfect for sipping on a cappuccino, catching up with my blog, and, naturally, admiring all the exquisite architecture, taking a little snap to remind me of those delicious moments. I can almost smell those Viennese pastries just from thinking about it! I tell you, there are so many cafes here I think I need to make my next post all about them, with little tutu and tea-cup images to match!
Well darling, this is just a tiny glimpse into my time in Vienna this week! Itās just so charming! My adventures are always going to have a pinch of magic and whimsy to them! Iāll continue to bring a sprinkle of pink magic everywhere I go!
As I always say - there's no such thing as too much pink! So embrace your inner ballerina, donāt be afraid to dance to your own beat, and never underestimate the power of a beautiful, fluffy pink tutu!
I leave you today with a simple wish: Always embrace the pink, always embrace the magic, always embrace the joy!
And join me next week when I explore even more wonders of this fabulous city and, naturally, keep you up to date with all the ballet news that I can! Until next Wednesday, darling!
Keep shining and twirling! Emma www.pink-tutu.com
