Hello lovelies! 💓 It's your favourite pink tutu-clad travel blogger, Emma, back with you from the magnificent city of Vienna! This week's post is a real doozy, as I've been flitting around this city like a sugarplum fairy on a whirlwind adventure! Get ready for a truly decadent waltz through the streets, theatres, and historic haunts of Vienna, all captured through the rose-tinted lens of my trusty pink tutu!
This post marks number 1428 on my blog, and what a number it is! I've been travelling for over five years now, and each new experience brings me closer to my ultimate goal: making the world a more pink tutu-filled place! I find the world to be a much happier and lovelier place when adorned with the grace and charm of the tutu.
Speaking of lovely, let's get down to the nitty gritty of this magical trip!
My journey to Vienna was quite the spectacle: I started my travels from my charming Derbyshire cottage, with a ride in my favourite horse-drawn carriage - my horse "Twinkletoes" seems to adore long-distance trips, so we're a real team! Once I arrived in England's bustling capital city, I found myself gracefully boarding a grand steam train, complete with velvet seats and grand views, perfect for dreaming about waltzes and the magic of Vienna.
My first day in the Austrian capital began in the stunning Schönbrunn Palace. Imagine this, lovelies: acres of lush gardens, grand fountains shimmering under the sunshine, and a palace so exquisite it would make Cinderella jealous! I even spotted a graceful deer in the grounds, its brown eyes holding a depth that mirrored the grand history of this beautiful location. After exploring the palace, it was time for a Viennese delight: I had the most decadent pastry, and my goodness, did it melt in my mouth!
The afternoon was devoted to ballet! I couldn't have come to Vienna without seeing a performance, and I was absolutely thrilled to be invited to a private rehearsal for the Vienna State Ballet. The dancers were truly magical, gliding across the stage like ethereal creatures in their graceful white tutus. I almost wished I was a dancer again, as I stood awestruck at their movements, the powerful grace that flowed effortlessly from them, their movements resonating through the beautiful historic theatre.
Later, my heart fluttered as I stepped into the Vienna Opera House. Imagine my delight when I realised I could go backstage to peek at the beautiful costumes, shimmering like the stars in the night sky. I even had a chance to try on a gorgeous ballet shoe - just the right size, of course! I could practically imagine myself swirling across the stage in that magnificent venue.
As the evening swirled, it was time for the pièce de résistance: a performance at the world-famous Vienna State Opera. Dressed in my dazzling pink tutu, with my hair styled like a princess from a fairytale, I sat front-row and enjoyed an unforgettable evening. The opera was a grand display of beauty, emotion, and breathtaking music. It made me weep with emotion at one point, but in a good way!
However, Vienna wasn't all about fancy palaces and ballets. One of the highlights of my trip was wandering through the Naschmarkt. It was a sensory overload of delightful colours, smells, and textures - from plump cherries and sweet melons to exquisite spices and vibrant fabrics. I discovered the most beautiful collection of colourful and vintage costume jewellery. Of course, I couldn't leave without purchasing some, and the pieces perfectly compliment my many pink tutus!
For dinner, I enjoyed the most delightful Wiener Schnitzel with creamy potato salad - the perfect culinary experience after a day full of ballet and exploration!
Another day, I made a pilgrimage to the stunning Belvedere Palace, its baroque grandeur simply breathtaking. Inside, I discovered the famed Klimt Collection. This museum holds many famous paintings by Gustav Klimt, one of Vienna’s most famous artists, whose works were simply stunning and utterly fascinating. It's amazing how colours can bring a story to life!
After the palace, I was lucky enough to stumble upon the most darling vintage boutique filled with the most wonderful accessories. Imagine, my lovelies, a trove of beautiful brooches and stunning pearls! I found a few pieces for myself that will add just the right touch of elegance to my ballet wardrobe!
No visit to Vienna would be complete without a tour of the majestic Hofburg Palace, the former imperial residence. Here, I explored magnificent halls adorned with royal tapestries and glittering chandeliers. There was even a museum dedicated to the famous Habsburg Dynasty, their history intertwined with that of Austria for centuries. What fascinating stories to be uncovered in the palaces and historical monuments of this glorious city!
To add another dimension to this week’s exploration, I discovered a captivating exhibition at the Kunst Haus Wien – a place dedicated to showcasing the artistry of the 20th and 21st centuries. I spent hours enthralled by sculptures and paintings, many pushing the boundaries of art itself.
Speaking of pushing boundaries, Vienna has some fabulous dance performances to experience, with some fantastic street performances by local and international dance companies - they’ve managed to blend the elegance of traditional dance with contemporary art. This truly magical performance took place in a small alley, surrounded by the energy of the city and yet somehow removed from its frantic pace.
While in the city, I indulged my love for all things pink and sparkly at a pop-up jewellery exhibition at one of Vienna's renowned shopping malls. The glitzy pieces reminded me of the costumes at the Vienna State Opera, and it was no surprise that I found several dazzling brooches to add to my collection!
Of course, Vienna’s fashion scene is well known for its glamorous atmosphere, but the best thing about this city’s street fashion is how the people express their individuality – there was a young woman, walking towards me on my way to a museum, wearing a dress that was a cascade of frills, reminiscent of a flamenco dancer’s costume – she twirled away as I passed, leaving me enchanted and wanting to twirl too!
One of my favourite aspects of Vienna is the charming tradition of Viennese coffee culture. Sitting in one of the many beautiful coffee houses, sipping a perfect cup of Viennese coffee, while indulging in a sweet treat is like stepping back in time, or at least into one of my favourite fairy tales. You may notice me at one of these fabulous coffee houses, with my tutu, sipping a perfect cup and lost in my ballet-themed journal! It’s simply the perfect setting for enjoying some downtime and writing about all the enchanting experiences in Vienna.
So there you have it, my lovelies! This whirlwind journey through Vienna was full of excitement, glamour, and ballet - it certainly lived up to my dreams! And of course, it reminded me of the beauty of a world dressed in pink, where every day can be a delightful dance in the magical waltz of life!
Don't forget, you can keep up with my pink tutu adventures on www.pink-tutu.com Every Wednesday I publish my latest travels, alongside exciting posts about ballet, fashion, and all things pink. Remember to stay tuned for next week’s blog post when I explore the captivating city of Prague!
Until next week, my dears,
Stay twirling and always, always wear your pink tutus! 💓
Love,
Emma x
P.S. What are you planning this week? Don't forget to leave me a comment below about all the wonderful pink and twirling things that have captured your heart this week.
