Hello my darling tutu-lovers! Itās Wednesday again, and that means itās time for another instalment of Pink Tutu Vienna! š©°āØ This week, Iām whisking you all away to the heart of Europe, the majestic, musical metropolis of Vienna! The cobblestones are calling, the Strauss waltzes are swirling, and my pink tutu is practically begging to twirl in the Viennese sunshine.
Iām arriving in style, of course, by train from lovely Derbyshire ā my journey this time, a delightful vintage sleeper carriage filled with the scent of aged leather and jasmine tea, just like in the classic stories I used to devour as a child! (It almost made me wish I was on my way to visit the magical kingdom of Lilliput from "Gulliver's Travels" - how charming would it be to have tiny dancing ballerinas twirling in their pink tutus there!)
Vienna, with its rich history, graceful architecture, and oh-so-chic cafes, is truly the city of dreams for a pink-loving ballerina like myself. And my first order of business, after unpacking my overflowing tutu suitcase (you know me, I have to have the perfect outfit for every occasion!), was a leisurely walk down the elegant KƤrntner StraĆe. I was like a giddy little girl in a candy shop, admiring the glistening windows of boutiques filled with exquisite fashions and the scent of freshly baked pastries filling the air! And of course, I couldnāt resist purchasing a pair of dainty pink ballerina shoes for myself, because a ballerina needs a new pair for every special occasion, you see.
Then, a visit to the opulent Vienna State Opera was in order. Oh my, darling! This majestic building, with its exquisite gilt interiors, was simply stunning. I could have easily imagined myself waltzing into a performance of āSwan Lakeā in my pink tutu, although, my tutu did remain firmly in the suitcase for this one! They're sticklers for formality, the Viennese, and they prefer their ballerinas to be wearing traditional tutus - which is of course understandable, you have to adhere to the historical tradition! The opera itself, a captivating rendition of Mozartās "The Marriage of Figaro", left me enthralled. It truly made me realise the importance of classical music, and just how much I adore seeing beautiful art performed with such skill and passion.
Later, I enjoyed a cup of steaming coffee (yes, with two sugars, Iām a Derbyshire lass after all!) and a delectable slice of Sachertorte in the opulent surroundings of the CafĆ© Sacher, a must-visit for any true Viennese experience. I couldnāt help but feel transported back to a time of fin-de-siĆØcle elegance, surrounded by the murmur of conversations and the gentle tinkling of piano music. It was just the perfect way to spend the afternoon!
But the real highlight of the week, dear readers, was a visit to the Schƶnbrunn Palace. A masterpiece of Baroque architecture, surrounded by immaculately kept gardens, and brimming with the ghosts of emperors and empresses past. The history of this place simply vibrated through the walls! The gardens were perfect for a spot of dancing, especially in front of the majestic Gloriette, with the backdrop of the Viennese skyline ā just try and stop yourself from doing a twirl there, I dare you! And for you, my dearest tutu-lovers, I decided to bring a piece of Schƶnbrunn back to Derbyshire - I bought the most beautiful vintage book on Viennese history with all the historical dress from the emperors and empresses and even some pictures of ballerinas!
However, it wasnāt all palaces and formal gardens, darling! I spent a joyful afternoon exploring the quirky shops of the Naschmarkt. A riot of colours, smells and tastes! Thereās a delightful atmosphere at the market ā vibrant and bursting with life, a great place to mingle with the locals. I purchased some beautiful vintage ballet jewellery and an antique pink beaded handbag. (A girl can never have too many pink bags! As you can tell, the fashion element is just as important to me as the dance! I have a whole post planned on Victorian-era fashions that Iāll be doing later, if you want to know the secrets of corsetry and petticoats!)
Later that evening, I treated myself to a delicious dinner in a traditional Viennese Heuriger (wine tavern). With its charming rustic atmosphere and the wonderful aroma of freshly grilled meats and vegetables, the whole experience just felt so authentic. The perfect ending to a truly wonderful day! Although, if I'm honest, I did sneak in a few twirls on the wooden dancefloor with a kind and handsome Austrian gent. (Although, I am trying to keep a strictly tutu-centric attitude! My aim in life is to get everyone in the world to wear a pink tutu - that includes everyone I meet while traveling! He is quite a tall man, which might cause a height-problem with tutus! We might have to work on that! He didn't know what a tutu was but now he's bought me a beautiful book about all the dancers from Vienna state opera!)
You can imagine Iām utterly smitten with this charming city! It's vibrant, it's charming, itās historical - and best of all, itās utterly fabulous! I think my new slogan is going to be "Whimsical Waltz in Vienna!"
Now, Iāve a ballet performance at the Staatsoper, (in the grand, traditional tutus, naturally, although I'll probably slip a sparkly pink top into my performance! If Iām lucky, it might make the papers!) I'll try and catch the famous Wiener Staatsopernball if I get the chance (you all know I love a bit of ball room dancing!). Oh, and before I go, I wanted to share with you some fun things to do while you are in Vienna:
- The Viennese Ball Season: For those who are a little bolder, there are several grand Viennese balls held throughout the year, each with its unique flavour and tradition. Imagine all the fun you can have dancing the night away in your own special pink tutu, it's absolutely a must-do!
- Take a Waltz lesson: Embrace the Viennese soul and learn to waltz with grace and charm.
- A ride through the Wienerwald (Viennese Woods) on a horse drawn carriage: You know I adore horse riding (especially in my tutu!) but this is a truly enchanting experience for everyone!
- Explore the Schƶnbrunn Zoo: Take a break from the city and discover fascinating animals at Schƶnbrunn, one of the oldest and most beautiful zoos in the world. (They have an exhibition on how different the dancing of animals in different habitats has impacted how humans dance ā imagine all the ballerinas learning from a chimpanzee, so cute! This definitely deserves its own post!)
And remember, darling, no matter where you travel, be sure to carry the pink tutu spirit with you! Always find a way to add a touch of magic and whimsy to every experience, and remember, never underestimate the power of a little pink to bring smiles to everyone's faces!
Stay tuned, darling, for my next adventures ā coming to you live from Pink Tutu Vienna next Wednesday! Don't forget to visit our website: www.pink-tutu.com. Until then, dance on! š
