Guten Tag, my darlings! This is Emma from Derbyshire, and as usual, I'm twirling my way into your Wednesday with a big pink smile! 🩰💕 Today, we're stepping right into the heart of Vienna, Austria - the city of waltzes, wonder, and...well, let's just say a dash of tutu magic, of course!
It's November 25th, and the air has a crispness to it, perfect for cuddling up in a cashmere scarf while admiring the autumn leaves. It's one of those days where I just want to float through Vienna's cobbled streets like a delicate butterfly...oh, and wear a pink tutu, of course! 🦋✨
Train Journeys & Pink-tastic Shopping
I journeyed here from Budapest, where I was performing at the grand Hungarian State Opera House, in a stunning cerise tulle masterpiece designed by none other than the fabulous Madam Liliana. You simply must look at my Instagram feed later - I got the most beautiful photographs of me performing!
But I digress! The train ride was simply enchanting. The Hungarian countryside is breathtaking - rolling hills, vineyards, and fields ablaze with the last colours of autumn. It made me wish for a carriage drawn by horses and a truly majestic journey to Vienna. Imagine the photos I'd get! But alas, practicality prevails and I travelled by a sleek modern train - very glamorous in its own way!
Vienna greeted me with open arms, a gentle caress of cool breeze and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. First stop, the grand Hotel Sacher, where they serve that heavenly Sacher-Torte. It is absolutely essential that any fashionista, any tutu-enthusiast, any "pinktastic" soul that finds themselves in Vienna visit this hotel. Not only for the divine cake but to soak in the beautiful decor and history. There's a "pinktastic" grand lobby which makes me wonder why we don't wear tutus for all our tea parties, wouldn't that be more delightful? Just think of the photographs!
After a scrumptious slice of cake, my shopaholic spirit was re-energised and I dashed into a little boutique. I couldn't resist picking up a vintage Austrian hat - very in style - a little bit of Victorian chic that went perfectly with the blush-pink mohair cardigan I had been coveting. My "pinktastic" style is always on the lookout for vintage pieces to give a unique flair!
Ballet & The Viennese Waltz
Now, Vienna is a city deeply steeped in dance, and my itinerary has been planned around the best ballet and theatre experiences. I am a huge fan of ballet - it's in my blood! I spend a ridiculous amount of my time learning, studying and performing, from the grace and beauty of the Russian classical ballet, to the emotive artistry of modern dance. And Vienna is like the ultimate ballet wonderland - just brimming with inspiration!
I've already been to see "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Vienna State Opera House, which was a magnificent production. I have to say the ballerinas here are divine, and the sheer skill and elegance left me breathless. I feel so privileged to see these legends on stage. Afterwards, I savored a beautiful dinner of Sauerbraten with dumplings and red cabbage at a cosy little restaurant near the opera house, feeling full of wonder and that magical Viennese feeling.
Discovering the Ballet History of Vienna
Today, I plan to spend the morning exploring the history of ballet here in Vienna. Did you know it has one of the most venerable and prestigious ballet traditions in the world? It’s a place that’s given birth to legendary dancers and iconic performances! There's so much to learn, from the glorious days of Maria Taglioni (one of my absolute favourite ballerinas!), to the pioneering choreography of Gustav Mahler. It's just so captivating!
After my exploration of the historical aspects of ballet in Vienna, I'm headed to see the breathtaking Schönbrunn Palace. The Palace Gardens are so majestic and grand that they make me imagine myself dancing en pointe through the blooming flower beds! Oh how I love this city - it’s filled with a kind of magic that’s hard to describe.
Tutu Delights & Finding the Perfect Pink
Speaking of magic, I discovered the most exquisite shop full of pink tutus. It's on a quiet side street, almost hidden, but you know I have a pink tutu sixth sense. It's absolutely packed with tutus of all shades, styles, and lengths - even one made from iridescent sequins that shimmered like fairy dust. It was a pink-tastic explosion and made me realise that my "pinktastic" collection has some serious competition. I'll have to come back for more later this week, perhaps with some friends, after I have done some exploring of Vienna’s amazing parks and museums. You know I am going to have to show you photographs of this tutu haven – just wait and see.
A Whirl of Viennese Magic
This afternoon, I'm off to a beautiful waltz session with some local dance enthusiasts. It's said that Vienna's waltz has an impossibly romantic magic to it. Can you believe it's where the waltz was first invented?! It’s truly amazing how it's shaped and infused with such joy and passion. Who knows, perhaps I'll even twirl a little in my pink tutu, even though they probably wear more traditional dress here, the elegance and joy of dancing is truly universal! I might even try out one of the many cafes around town, perhaps enjoying a delicious hot chocolate while soaking in the vibrant atmosphere.
It's this kind of atmosphere that really fills me with inspiration, which makes me even more excited about all my future travels and adventures! My aim, as always, is to inspire every single one of you to embrace the world with joy, embrace the love of ballet and most importantly... to embrace the power of a pink tutu!
It's like a little spark of magic that makes everything more exciting, more wonderful and lets us express our true selves in all our glittery, twirly, "pinktastic" glory!
Stay tuned next Wednesday for more updates from www.pink-tutu.com . Until then, I hope your week is full of joy and you'll find that spark of wonder! 💋🌸💖✨
