Dearest readers,
How is my favourite Wednesday finding you all? I’m absolutely buzzing with excitement after an extraordinary trip to the most enchanting city of Vienna, a place where waltzes whisper in the breeze and coffee houses overflow with charm. This week’s post is all about the delights I discovered whilst pirouetting through this grand European gem – think grand palaces, historic theatres, and the sweetest tulle imaginable!
The train journey from Derbyshire was an adventure in itself. It’s always magical to wake up in the rolling green hills of England and end up surrounded by the majestic Alps, watching the scenery morph from countryside to mountainous beauty. As always, I opted for my trusty pink tulle skirt and a silk top for the journey - travel in style, I say! And just imagine, I managed to strike up a conversation with the loveliest lady on the train, who just so happened to be a passionate ballet dancer herself! We spent the journey comparing favourite ballerinas and tutus, a testament to the power of tulle to unite women of all ages across continents.
Arriving in Vienna was like stepping into a fairytale. The city’s architecture is truly stunning - those towering domes and grand buildings with their intricate detail? They could have been straight out of a romantic ballet scene! My first port of call, of course, was the Vienna State Opera House. It was the ultimate haven for a tutu-loving soul. The grandeur of the building alone was enough to leave me speechless, with its magnificent façade and ornate interiors.
But it was the story behind it all that truly captured my heart. Vienna has such a rich and vibrant ballet history, you can literally feel the history in the air! Did you know the first opera house on this very spot opened in 1752? This opera house became a hub for the development of ballet, leading to the famous "Viennese Waltz" that is still admired today.
After a breathtaking visit to the State Opera, I was craving a taste of local Viennese charm. Enter, the legendary Cafe Central, which had been a famous hub for artists and intellectuals since the turn of the century! I just had to sit in the cafe that housed discussions between Sigmund Freud and Albert Einstein! I couldn’t resist ordering the Sachertorte, Vienna’s iconic chocolate cake, with a pot of steaming black coffee. It felt so quintessentially Viennese - sitting in the beautiful old café, sipping my coffee, indulging in the delicious cake, and people watching as they flitted past in the afternoon sun. It was utterly charming!
No trip to Vienna would be complete without indulging in some shopping, right? I am, after all, a ballet-obsessed girl with a penchant for pink tulle! Vienna’s shops were a treasure trove, with independent boutiques offering elegant European pieces. Of course, my ultimate shopping destination was Boutique Leopold – a small gem brimming with elegant vintage dresses, charming hats and stunning vintage shoes. It was a sartorial heaven, and I spent a joyful hour searching for the perfect accessories to complete my ballet-themed Vienna ensemble.
The best part? The vintage boutique had the most beautiful pale pink hat – perfect for waltzing around the streets, of course! Imagine a soft, velvety pink, a dainty bow on the side, and the feel of elegant old fabric against your skin. My head practically spun from the charm of it!
Talking of charming, my trip to Vienna would not be complete without a mention of Schloss Schönbrunn. This sprawling Baroque palace is nestled on a sunny hillside and just breathtaking! With gardens fit for royalty, stunning views over the city and that elegant grandeur that makes Vienna so captivating, I just felt instantly transported back in time! And let’s not forget, this was the birthplace of one of Vienna’s greatest composers – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart!
Of course, what better way to embrace the magic of Schönbrunn than a graceful carriage ride through its verdant gardens? I donned my beautiful pink tutu, tied my hat perfectly on top of my carefully crafted bun, and set off. Just me and the sound of the hooves on the ground and the breeze in my pink tulle as the carriage moved serenely through the grounds of this magnificent palace.
In between my historical explorations and tutu-themed escapades, Vienna kept surprising me with its artistic delights. The Museum of Art History was a true architectural wonder. I spent an afternoon getting lost in the magnificent collection of ancient Roman statues and Italian Renaissance art, from Caravaggio’s haunting portraits to Leonardo Da Vinci’s exquisite sketches. This was where the city's history truly came alive for me.
To end my journey on a truly magical note, I couldn't resist attending the Vienna Philharmonic's annual ball, a traditional highlight of the Viennese social calendar. I may not have danced a perfect waltz, but the sheer opulence of it all made it a true highlight. There were women twirling in fabulous gowns and men dressed in elegant tails, the music was spectacular, and everyone had a beaming smile on their faces.
The ball gave me the opportunity to wear a stunning pink tutu – after all, every ball is best with a sprinkle of tulle! You know, I found myself dreaming that for a moment, every guest would pull a pink tutu from their handbag and twirl the night away!
*Vienna has been nothing short of a whirlwind, a place where every corner held a surprise and where pink tulle twirled with history, music, and magnificent palaces. *
What did you get up to this week? I would love to hear about your adventures! Until next week, my dears!
Remember, a life without pink tulle is no life at all!
Your pink tulle princess, Emma.
