Oh my darlings! Can you believe it? Vienna! The city of waltzes, music, and oh, so much culture. I'm positively bursting with excitement, and you know what that means - time to grab my pinkest tutu, the one with the sparkly sequined bodice, and set off for an adventure!
As usual, I'm funding this trip with a delightful series of performances at the exquisite Vienna State Opera House. Last night, I floated through a rendition of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" as the sugar plum fairy (although I did think my tutu was a bit more sparkly than the original, just a little touch of Emma flair). This week is all about exploring Vienna's breathtaking architecture, its imperial history, and of course, soaking up all the gorgeous fashion!
Before we set off on this incredible adventure, let's catch up a little, shall we? It's been a whirlwind since my last blog, travelling by train through the picturesque countryside of Bavaria and Switzerland. It's no secret that I'm absolutely smitten with travelling by train - it's the perfect opportunity to settle into a comfortable carriage, pull out my vintage lace embroidery and unleash my inner stitcher, while gazing out of the window at charming towns whizzing by. (And the delicious Swiss chocolates onboard are just a bonus!) Oh, and I nearly forgot, the horses! They are such gentle souls, pulling my carriage through cobblestone lanes and through lush green meadows, itās quite simply delightful.
Ballet in the City of DreamsNow, Vienna! What can I say? This city just oozes history and grandeur. Every corner, every building tells a story. Just this morning, I found myself walking through the exquisite Schƶnbrunn Palace, home to a plethora of waltzes, waltzers, and even some royal tutu history - I spotted a stunning pink and silver satin number in the royal dressing rooms. They say that even Emperor Franz Joseph couldnāt resist waltzing in his finest attire in his pink tutu, or so I was told.
The most incredible thing is, ballet seems to seep into every aspect of Viennese life! From the elegance of the waltz played by street musicians to the impressive ballet performances in its famous opera houses, this city is a real ballet haven.
Speaking of opera houses, I was completely spellbound at the Vienna State Opera House last night. I watched a beautiful rendition of the Swan Lake and almost wished I was back in the classroom, all pink tutus and pliĆ©s, perfecting my moves to be part of this ballet masterpiece. But alas, Iām afraid that ship has sailed (or, in my case, waltzed!) a long time ago.
Vienna, as Iām sure you know, is known for its musical prowess, especially its famous Viennese Waltz. Can you believe it was invented in 1815 in Vienna itself?! And, just think, if they only knew then just how influential that dance would become, a dance for everyday citizens to dance to and celebrate their joy, and yes, even in a tutu!
And wouldnāt you know, a brand new waltz by the most fabulous Viennese composer, Johann Strauss (one of my personal favourites!), has just debuted here. So naturally, my friends, Iām already trying to find some pink tutu attire for my next Vienna State Opera visit, because oh my, Iām definitely waltzing into that performance.
Speaking of pink tutus, I canāt write this blog post without telling you about the amazing ballet boutique I stumbled upon earlier this morning, nestled amongst the charming alleyways of the city center. You wouldn't believe it, but I found an absolutely magnificent pale pink tulle tutu that was calling my name - think lace embellishments, delicate sequins, and a fluffy skirt that would make even the most sophisticated ballet dancer swoon. Well, naturally, it now resides in my ballet bag - a perfect souvenir from my Viennese adventures.
A Fashionista's ParadiseYou know how much I adore fashion! And Vienna, oh, Vienna, you've truly lived up to my wildest dreams. Itās all about vintage styles, glamorous elegance, and of course, the most exquisite boutiques you can imagine. And this week is even better! There is an incredible shopping event called the "Vienna Fashion Week," which showcases some of the finest fashion designers from across Austria and even Europe. Imagine, darling! I will have my pick of the absolute newest creations.
The Beauty of Vienna's PastNow, even when not dancing, or shopping, I've been doing quite a lot of strolling around Vienna's breathtaking architecture, exploring its history. The most recent discovery? Iāve stumbled across the oldest bakery in Vienna, a veritable pastry haven called āDer Mannā which dates back to the 17th century, a beautiful example of Viennese history that can be tasted. I absolutely fell in love with its charm. What more can a girl want than to devour the tastiest Viennese pastries after a long day?
The next few days will be a whirlwind of adventure. My diary is brimming with things to see, places to visit, and a whole bunch of delicious pastry indulgences, of course!
Iām going to explore the Schƶnbrunn Zoo, I hear it is full of cute little animals. (Oh, you have no idea how much I'm looking forward to this.)
I am heading off to see the beautiful Spanish Riding School where horses learn to dance to classical music. I do love my horses, I always try and support my equestrian friends by attending shows, after all, you should support the arts wherever you are.
I am already booking tickets to the Vienna Opera Ballet ā a night out at the ballet is a must-have, after all!
Oh, and did I mention that I am hoping to find some wonderful shops where I can pick up some absolutely divine, one-of-a-kind pink tutus! The ultimate pink tutu, perfect for strolling the city streets of Vienna in all its splendour, Iām talking an enchanting and absolutely magical pink tulle skirt for everyday wear, with a simple lace-trimmed pink vest or maybe even a simple pink top. Iām feeling incredibly inspired right now!
So stay tuned, darlings. You won't want to miss out on the next instalment of my pink tutu travels.
Until next time, dance your heart out!
Much Love,
Emma x
