Villa d’Este Style Vintage Yachting 2026 brought the allure of vintage yachting back to the waters of Lake Como, bringing together boat owners, collectors and enthusiasts for a day dedicated to history, design and nautical culture. Organised by Villa d’Este in collaboration with ASDEC – Associazione Scafi d’Epoca e Classici – and Museo Barca Lariana, the event featured motorboats with over fifty years of history, alongside a selection of historic vessels displayed in the magnificent grounds of Villa d’Este.
The theme of the 2026 edition was Futurism, chosen to explore the connection between speed, innovation and a vision of the future that has shaped the history of motorboating on Lake Como. In the 1920s, the lake was a stage for races, experimentation and record-breaking achievements, while Villa d’Este itself had already embraced Futurist culture as early as 1927.
The day began with the arrival of the boats at Villa d’Este, following an initial parade on the central part of the lake. Guests had the opportunity to discover the vessels on display through a historical and cultural journey, before the on-water Carosello: a parade in front of the floating pool, during which each boat told its own story, also through the accounts of its owners.
Among the highlights were the Villa d’Este Super, built by Guido Abbate in 1962; the Riva Aquarama “Sophia,” once owned by Sophia Loren; and the ER 6 by Cantiere Ernesto Riva, crafted entirely from wood. Following the Carosello, the Awards Ceremony celebrated the boats, restorations, stories and people that shaped the event. The day concluded with the Vintage Jole Regatta, featuring crews from Villa d’Este, ASDEC and Museo Barca Lariana.
An event that reaffirms the value of historic boating as a heritage to be preserved and passed on, bringing together expertise, craftsmanship, sport and culture in one of Lake Como’s most iconic settings.
