Blog Post #1368
Hello my darlings! It's Wednesday again, and you know what that means - it's time for another fabulous Pink Tutu Vienna blog post! This week I'm whisking you off to the glorious city of Vienna, Austria, the home of waltzing, chocolate, and - wait for it - tutus galore!
This week has been utterly delightful, a veritable pink-tutu-tastic whirlwind of dance, deliciousness, and oh-so-charming sights!
I arrived in Vienna by train on Sunday, my pink tutu swirling in the breeze as I stepped off the platform. Honestly, you'd think the entire station was giving me a standing ovation - I received more smiles and thumbs-up than I can count! I'm quite sure my pink tutu makes me feel more like a princess, and Vienna just seems to add to that sensation!
I always find train travel so romantic and elegant. Especially with my pink tutu, I become a veritable human pink ballet-inspired cloud! My journey through Europe, all for my passion for the art of dance, has truly made me realize the power of wearing a tutu. And, of course, nothing quite screams “I’m in the mood for an adventure,” quite like a tulle-tastic pink garment!
Now, about my hotel – oh, darling! It's positively delightful! I could do a whole blog post just about the chandelier in the lobby - it's crystal and sparkles, like the chandelier at the Vienna Opera House! I couldn't resist snapping some pictures to share with you on Instagram! You can see them on @PinkTutuVienna – why not give me a follow?
Vienna, however, has become synonymous with one thing above all, the waltz. There are waltzes everywhere - it's simply an inescapable and enthralling facet of Viennese life! And believe me, even a clumsy dancer like me feels an irresistible urge to sway! In fact, the whole city seems to dance in time to a graceful, timeless rhythm, an irresistible whisper that echoes throughout the cobblestone streets and majestic architecture.
My first stop after checking into my hotel? The Schönbrunn Palace! Oh, it's as breathtaking in person as in pictures. With all that history, one feels truly like one has stepped out of a fairy tale. There I learned all about Emperor Franz Joseph and Empress Elisabeth, the former Empress Sisi who ruled for almost a lifetime. Sisi herself was famously fond of ballet. Apparently she even had a custom-made pink tutu, made of spun silk. Just like my love for pink tutus, Sisi, just as I, would travel to perform in ballet in front of royalty and commoners alike.
After visiting the palace, it was time for an authentic Viennese experience. What is an authentic experience you may ask? You’d be surprised, but the answer lies with horses! That’s right! I joined a Viennese “fiaker”, a type of traditional horse-drawn carriage, for a leisurely trot through the heart of the city. With my tutu in full effect, I truly felt I’d stepped into a storybook fairytale of elegance and charm. And guess what? The coachman, Josef, had his own, albeit black, tutu he wore!
The rest of my afternoon was devoted to indulging my inner fashionista. Vienna is a city with some truly remarkable shopping opportunities - there are quaint little boutiques bursting with beautiful clothes, as well as elegant department stores, home to exquisite designs. Did you know that there is even a pink tutu shop here in Vienna? Of course there is! I even purchased a small, fluffy pink tutu to match my favorite dress, with a giant pink satin bow – for this girly girl, more is ALWAYS more.
After the retail therapy, I treated myself to a delicious dinner at a local cafe. I opted for the traditional Wiener Schnitzel, and, dare I say it? Vienna simply outdoes the Derbyshire version by a longshot! With a dollop of Viennese “schmaltz”, I left that cafe with a satisfied smile - as well as the memory of an unforgettable meal,
On Monday, I was fortunate to see the Vienna Philharmonic orchestra perform in the Vienna Musikverein concert hall. I even got a snap with one of the famous violinists and, as you know, a girl has to get a little bit of Instagram-worthy photo evidence when an event is that extraordinary. Of course, the performance was breath-taking! The musicians played a variety of Mozart pieces – Mozart, a name synonymous with Viennese heritage, was truly the musical embodiment of the Viennese era, but with a decidedly modern flair. The entire hall seemed to vibrate with energy and life.
In the afternoon, I took a visit to the Viennese State Opera. Of course, I didn't just wander the magnificent building, which by the way is quite possibly the most beautifully decorated theatre I’ve ever encountered in all of Europe. Oh no! It wouldn’t have been proper Pink Tutu etiquette to simply stop by. Of course, I took a full ballet class within the famous, beautifully decorated, grand ballroom! There, amongst the Vienna State Opera ballet dancers, I really found the true soul of this magical city! I had the chance to explore the magnificent art nouveau architecture of this iconic theatre while perfecting my grand jete – my arabesques could have certainly graced any ballets of the classical Vienna ballet period, right? And how exciting for me that I learned the exact jumps and leaps that legendary dancers such as Rudolf Nureyev had practiced in this same space years and years ago!
And just so you know – my dance class was the reason why I wore a more traditional ballet pink tutu. While the color pink may always be my favorite – this beautiful ballet garment has no bows and only a few hand-sewn sequins – to respect the classical roots of Vienna ballet. Even for someone with a wardrobe that is almost exclusively pink tutus, some days a “ballet class” look is simply more fitting than an extra fluffy pink ensemble. I always take a traditional pink tutu on my travels. You never know when you’ll find yourself dancing in the streets of Vienna!
Tuesday's agenda was a full day of touring! It included a leisurely, scenic walk along the Ringstraße, one of Vienna's grand boulevards lined with imposing buildings, a tour of St. Stephen’s Cathedral with a stunning view from the top – which provided a breathtaking panorama of the city, a delightful afternoon stroll through the Vienna Hofburg Imperial Palace (also with an incredibly well preserved collection of costumes and historical clothing and costumes), and a stop for traditional Viennese coffee at one of the many cozy coffee houses. But what else can a ballet-obsessed fashion blogger enjoy? This place is just perfect. Of course, my favourite coffee house was the Café Sacher, which is synonymous with the legendary “Sacher Torte”, an impossibly delicious chocolate cake (which, unsurprisingly, was named after the famed, equally famous and elegant chocolate cake, invented at the cafe!). I treated myself to a slice and oh my, my darling, it was worth every single calorie. My entire day truly was fit for a princess in her best pink tutu. It was truly divine.
Of course, no trip to Vienna is complete without an evening at the Vienna State Opera. As much as the history of Vienna is rich with dancing history – what would Vienna ballet be without the legendary performances at this opera house? So, of course I dressed for the occasion – donning my very largest pink tutu and my favorite pink feather boa – and in true Pink Tutu fashion, it’s not the dancing I always seek out the most, but the outfits that the dancers wear for each performance. It was my dream to see this breathtaking opera house come alive – especially seeing it filled with those gorgeous dancers. And to my utter delight, the opera I saw, an all time ballet classic - “The Nutcracker.” This legendary ballet is the essence of magical fairytale fantasy that can truly only come to life in a city like Vienna! Of course, it was simply brilliant – all of the iconic music, choreography, costumes, set design, and – in the famous Waltz of the Flowers, a gorgeous flurry of tulle that danced through the theatre. The atmosphere was absolutely electrifying. It was truly an unforgettable performance and something I will always cherish.
However, I cannot end this blog post without sharing one very special secret about Vienna – Vienna's secrets, so to say, are everywhere.
As I was enjoying the Viennese ballet, I spotted something incredibly beautiful tucked away in a discreet, secluded spot. As my pink tutu swished across the stage, I realized something truly special - this stunning city of Vienna has another reason to have me, well, my Pink Tutu, utterly captivated. While I will continue my dance travels, and make more posts about more destinations, Vienna is now part of my pink tutu “heart of the heart.” Why you might ask? Hidden in the Opera house is one of the world’s largest collections of tutus and ballet-related costumes – hidden behind locked doors!
As a dance historian and a true tutu aficionado – what’s not to love about Vienna? Not only does it provide you the opportunity to dance in its gorgeous, historic buildings and parks and gardens, but to also study a collection of the very famous ballerinas from throughout its dance history? In the end, the pink tutu can lead you to some wonderful places – all you have to do is believe!
See you next Wednesday for another pink tutu-tastic adventure from one of Europe's other glorious, magical cities!
Don't forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com! And, if you love pink tutus, I'd be absolutely thrilled if you joined me on Instagram, where you can find me as @PinkTutuVienna!
Yours in tutus,
Emma
