Ciao bella! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu wearing, travel-loving ballerina, back with a brand new blog post straight from the heart of Rome! It's Wednesday 2025-05-21, and I'm already knee-deep in Italian sunshine and a whirlwind of history, art, and delicious gelato!
This week I'm taking a little break from Derbyshire's rolling green hills to explore the enchanting beauty of the Eternal City. This whole journey started with a delightful solo ballet performance last week, all about the grace and strength of a warrior princess. I decided to dedicate the proceeds of the show to a little escapade - Rome, you beautiful, historical treasure, here I come!
Now, let me tell you, Rome is everything I dreamed it would be, and so much more. I knew it would be magnificent, but nothing could prepare me for the sheer magnificence of the Colosseum. I could literally picture the gladiators clashing swords and the crowd roaring with excitement. This city is steeped in history, and the past literally comes to life before your very eyes. The sheer size of the Colosseum left me speechless; I must confess, I spent a good hour or two just marvelling at the scale of this engineering feat.
I have a bit of a confession; before coming to Rome, I'd secretly imagined myself strolling down cobblestone streets, twirling in my pink tutu. Turns out, that's more difficult than it looks! Donāt get me wrong, I still indulged in my twirling, but Iām keeping it to my room for now. The cobblestones aren't quite as forgiving as the sprung floors of my ballet studio!
A Symphony of Colours and Flavours
The first day, after an amazing morning admiring the Forum, I treated myself to a delicious lunch of panna cotta with fresh berries. This place was so cute, tucked away in a little side street and adorned with pink and red flowers - perfect for a girl like me! You can bet your ballet shoes, a pink tutu wouldn't be out of place there! Speaking of pink, you can't leave Rome without grabbing some delicious bubblegum pink gelato. Oh my, it was simply heavenly.
In the afternoon, I made my way to Trevi Fountain, and let me tell you, the sheer grandeur of this beautiful fountain made my jaw drop. It truly felt like Iād stepped into a painting. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and people from all walks of life were gathered, soaking in the majesty. I stood for ages, listening to the rush of the water and imagining the days when people travelled to this beautiful fountain, to share the stories and the experiences of life. Itās a timeless beauty that never fails to inspire, especially a ballerina who dreams of grand, elegant stages!
Fashion Finds and Theatrical Treats
I have to say, the Roman style is definitely a more sophisticated take on a whimsical and vibrant style - a beautiful contrast of modern and classic. Thereās no way I could come here without picking up some gorgeous fashion finds! It would be a crime! I stumbled upon a beautiful shop full of soft silks and delicate laces. Theyād just got in some stunning silk skirts - I snagged a deep crimson one for myself for my performance at the end of the month. Think Spanish dancers, think red passion. Canāt wait to practice it! I also got the most beautiful silk headscarf with little cherry blossom prints on it. Oh my goodness, itās perfect for my āPink Tutu Romeā outfit.
You see, the fashion scene here is quite spectacular - a whirlwind of creativity, and the shops, my dear friends, are filled with so many colourful finds! It feels like the whole city breathes in fashion - people have this natural elegance about them that makes me feel inspired. I spent ages browsing the Via Condotti, it was like a feast for my eyes.
After an exhausting but fulfilling day, I wrapped up the evening at Teatro dell'Opera, a grand opera house that has the most magical atmosphere. I sat enchanted, listening to the sweet music that carried on the wind through the corridors and even into the small square outside, making every breath seem like a dream. They are showing Carmen this weekend, I've booked tickets!
Travelling in Style and Exploring Hidden Gems
Itās been so lovely being here, feeling the history in every cobblestone and every corner. It's easy to get around by foot. Itās nice to see the city at its own pace. Although, for some of those longer trips, the trains have proven to be truly magical! And, wouldn't you know it? Even the trains are decorated in colours so beautiful, it's like traveling through a picture book!
In the coming days, Iāll explore more of this glorious city, and who knows? Perhaps Iāll be caught wearing a pink tutu outside the Colosseum. (Spoiler: I might just.) It will definitely be my highlight!
I'll leave you with this beautiful Italian saying: "Chi ha visto Roma ha visto il mondo", which translates to āwho has seen Rome has seen the worldā. And, I truly believe it to be true. See you all next week!
And donāt forget, stay stylish, stay pink, and always remember, everyone looks amazing in a pink tutu!