Hello darlings! It's Wednesday again, and you know what that means – another Pink Tutu adventure, this time from the magnificent city of Vienna! I've just arrived in this city of music, waltzes, and imperial splendour, and oh my goodness, I'm already feeling positively twirly!
You'll all know I love a bit of European train travel – that rhythmic clickety-clack, the views whizzing past the window...it's positively hypnotic, perfect for imagining myself dancing amongst the fields and forests! This week's journey had a rather more grand air though. Vienna Central Station itself is quite magnificent. Imagine, a Victorian architecture masterpiece with a stunning grand hall. I'm completely bowled over by its scale and elegance - and you just know a pink tutu was the perfect accessory!
It's so exciting to be here, a city with so much history in ballet. The Vienna State Opera – one of the most famous opera houses in the world, with the history of dancing through its grand halls since 1741! I absolutely had to see a ballet there, and the program was divine – Giselle on the 12th! My favourite!
Now, the State Opera House is just a stunning building! You see, I always love to think about how those gorgeous performers used to take to the stage decades ago, wearing the beautiful costumes of their time. I wonder if they also felt that electric thrill of performance? And what would their tutus have been like? Would they have been soft and airy like mine or starched and rigid like some of those historical examples I've seen? These are the kind of things that get me thinking – and dreaming up future tutus!
And Giselle was simply stunning! You know, it's quite hard to do something classic justice – it's like dancing a perfect pirouette! It all went seamlessly from start to finish – the dancing was breathtaking, the orchestra was phenomenal. My favourite bits were always going to be Giselle's diversionaries. It was wonderful, the power and tenderness she exuded on stage. Just lovely to watch her dance!
Vienna also holds a certain romance and elegance, which naturally suits a girl in a pink tutu, wouldn't you say? My first full day started with the Vienna Schönbrunn Palace. This magnificent residence was home to the Habsburg Dynasty, and believe me, a grand old palace deserves an equally grand outfit, especially when a certain ballerina with a penchant for pink tutus is arriving for the afternoon!
The palace grounds were so beautiful and expansive. We walked among the majestic statues and ornate fountains – the perfect photo opportunity with a pink tutu and a big smile! And then it was on to the palace itself – with its exquisite rooms, filled with luxurious furniture, portraits of royalty, and even some fantastic porcelain and china. I think this beautiful setting deserves a new tutu of its own – I'll have to work on some ideas!
After all the excitement of the palace, we stopped for a very luxurious high tea in the hotel, the Hotel Imperial – all white tablecloth, pastries and sandwiches. Oh, the food was absolutely delicious! It was truly delightful and elegant, just like a ballerina's dressing room.
No visit to Vienna is complete without a Wiener Schnitzel – and it didn’t disappoint! A gloriously golden piece of crispy breaded veal with a delicious potato salad, all washed down with a lovely glass of Austrian white wine. Perfection. I must say though, all that gorgeous food would certainly benefit from a bit of ballet - and I do plan to indulge in some of those famous viennese waltz classes next week!
Of course, every great city deserves some gorgeous shopping – and Vienna, my darling readers, does not disappoint! From classic boutiques and ateliers to high street shops, there's something for everyone. I, naturally, was drawn to the luxury designers and vintage clothing stores. What is it about the feeling of vintage tutus and fashion that I love so much? I think it's that every piece is truly unique and special. And of course, I love looking for that perfect pink shade to add to my collection. I couldn't resist a lovely scarf and a few pieces of jewellery that I think will go wonderfully with a particularly special tutu back home in Derbyshire!
As the day comes to a close, it's time to settle down with a cup of herbal tea in my lovely Vienna hotel room and watch some more ballet – my favourite way to wind down! But as I reflect on the day, I have to say, Vienna is definitely making me feel inspired.
This city has everything a ballet lover could dream of – from beautiful historical sites, with breathtaking architectural detail and breathtaking ballet performances, to mouthwatering cuisine, glamorous fashion, and of course, a whole lot of elegant tutus! I just love the waltz time and the elegant grace of Vienna's lifestyle and architecture. The feeling here is magical – all you need is a pink tutu to make it truly complete! It's no wonder they call it the city of dreams, don't you think?
What could possibly be better than ballet and pink tutus, anyway? I don’t think I could find anything – although my time here has shown me that maybe a Viennese waltz class in a pink tutu may just be my next exciting challenge.
Tune in next week, my darlings, for a truly fabulous glimpse of that experience! Until then, twirl on!
Emma xx
