Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad blogger, Emma, reporting live from the absolutely splendid Vienna! I know, I know, it's been ages since I last posted, but honestly, my lovelies, Vienna has been completely devouring my attention! It's one of those cities that just sweeps you off your feet with its charm, elegance, and…well…tons of fabulous shops!
This week, it's all about Vienna! Think cobblestone streets, grand palaces, swirling waltzes, and of course the iconic Hofburg Palace and its unbelievable connection to the history of the tutu! This week, I’m planning to get you hooked on this stunning city, just like it’s hooked me!
And let me tell you, I'm not the only one obsessed with the tutus here. The Viennese people just adore a bit of fabulous, a little touch of pink…they know a tutu speaks a thousand words – a language of grace, beauty, and undeniable fun!
Let's just get down to the nitty-gritty of how I ended up here. My journey was as graceful and exciting as a well-executed pirouette! The trusty steam train took me on a lovely journey from Derbyshire to the heart of Europe. Now, let’s talk about the train journey…pure ballet bliss! We started at daybreak and the scenery unfolded like a dream – the changing countryside from the vibrant greens of Derbyshire to the more rugged, majestic beauty of Germany.
My dear friends at the train station, they actually * gasped* when they saw my ensemble. I was sporting the most adorable fuchsia tutu with pink floral print (perfectly coordinating with my suitcase and floral pink pumps) topped off with a lavender knitted cardigan for the cooler hours. It's safe to say that I definitely turned a few heads and received quite a lot of “You look absolutely delightful!” type compliments. I absolutely thrived on it!
Vienna greeted me with a warm welcome, so typical of Austrian hospitality – I was transported straight from the station to the elegant Hotel Sacher, renowned for its beautiful surroundings and of course, their exquisite Sachertorte! A perfect sugar-dusted, decadent finale to the journey. Honestly, the pastry was so delicate, light and exquisite, almost as light and exquisite as one of my twirls in a perfect, dreamy pirouette…almost. I was ready to get my waltz on!
A Walk Through Time… and the Past of the Tutu!
And what would a true ballerina enthusiast like me do in Vienna? Head to the Hofburg Palace, naturally. This breathtaking palace was once the winter residence of the Habsburg Emperors and it's an absolute treasure trove of history and art. You see, this amazing palace is actually tied to the history of the tutu in a way that few would expect.
You see, the tutu originated from a style of ballet costume popularized by Marie Camargo, a famous French ballerina, back in the 1700s. It wasn’t a long time later that she danced in a royal ball at the Hofburg Palace! So you can say that this palace witnessed the *birth of this magical fashion piece that embodies elegance and grace. It made my ballet-loving heart sing just to stand there in that same grand hall!
To keep the ballerina vibes high, I did what any right-thinking ballet enthusiast would do - I hit the Ballet Theatre immediately for the afternoon performance of Swan Lake. Imagine that, dancing right in the same venue where a thousand ballet dancers, from centuries past, graced the stage!
Now, don't get me wrong, my darlings! It wasn't just about seeing the performances, but also * soaking up the history.* Did you know that this opera house was one of the first theaters in Europe that dedicated themselves specifically to ballet? The history here is breathtaking and as I sat in the plush velvet seating, feeling the magic in the air, I swear I could almost hear the whispered echoes of the past! Every single thing I saw in this palace…it felt so connected to the history of my passion for ballet and fashion and made me realise, for a little while at least, I’m part of something grand, truly magnificent.
The Sweetest Indulgence: A Little Retail Therapy
And as every girl who has ever loved fashion knows - it's always important to treat yourself especially when you're in a city known for its high fashion like Vienna! And it’s also totally justified when you’ve had such a lovely ballet show. This city is filled with shops galore and it’s all just waiting to be explored! Just the kind of ballet a shopping girl like me loves!
One of the most fabulous shops I found was nestled in a charming side street, all painted in a light pink like a dreamy candy floss! Yes – a match made in tutu heaven! There I was treated to exquisite designer dresses, vintage brooches, glorious statement earrings and just the most delicate little bags I could have imagined! It’s just too beautiful for words. There were things in here that were so beautiful, so utterly perfect they practically spoke to my inner ballerina – and even made me want to get a ballet style mini collection for myself to complete the look. Such fun!
To round out the perfect Vienna experience, because it's never too much, my loves, I indulged in the iconic Wiener Schnitzel – it was a delightful symphony of flavours with its crispy golden exterior and delicate, tender interior! This city, even with it’s elegance and grace, knows how to indulge, that’s for sure. And, as with everything, there’s a graceful, beautiful history of it, which made it even more delicious for me! It was definitely worthy of an encore performance!
My Vienna adventures don't end here, darlings! Keep your eyes peeled for next week’s post, where I’ll take you through an incredible horse riding experience I had at the Vienna Riding School. You know me, - anything connected with equestrian sport, I’m there. But I can’t give away all the details now - that’s the surprise! I promise you, you'll adore it.
Until then, wear your pink tutu with pride!
Yours in pink,
Emma x
