PRESS CONFERENCE – JULY 22, 2026

The 2026 edition of Villa d’Este Style – Vintage Yachting was presented at Villa d’Este

Against the prestigious backdrop of Villa d’Este, yesterday’s press conference officially presented the 2026 edition of Villa d’Este Style – Vintage Yachting, the event dedicated to classic boating that, on September 12, will bring together on Lake Como some of Italy’s most significant historic vessels.

The meeting was opened with welcome remarks by Matteo Cristina, CFO of Villa d’Este. He was followed by Marco Biondi, President of ASDEC – Associazione Scafi d’Epoca e Classici, who outlined the historical significance of the event, which this year is inspired by Futurism, and highlighted the Association’s role in preserving and promoting Italy’s historic nautical heritage.
Maria Gasparella, Head of Marketing and Communications at Villa d’Este, then presented the event program in detail. Ferdinando Zanoletti, President of the Museo Barca Lariana, concluded the presentations by introducing the historic boats that will be displayed in the gardens of Villa d’Este, emphasizing the cultural value of the initiative and the Museum’s contribution to preserving and sharing the history of boating through its collections and educational activities.

The press conference also provided the opportunity to unveil the theme of the 2026 edition: Futurism, chosen as the guiding thread of a journey that brings together innovation, speed, and beauty. It is a tribute to a movement that revolutionized the way progress was envisioned and that finds a natural continuation in the automotive and nautical heritage of Lake Como.

Following the screening of a compelling new video featuring Enrico Forlanini, the morning concluded with a Q&A session with members of the press.

Villa d’Este Style – Vintage Yachting is the result of a collaboration between Villa d’Este, ASDEC, and the Museo Barca Lariana, with the aim of promoting the culture of classic boating and celebrating a heritage that is an integral part of Italy’s history of design, engineering, and craftsmanship.

The event is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, when Villa d’Este will host a distinguished selection of classic and vintage boats in a day dedicated to elegance and maritime tradition.
From September 9 to 19, the hotel’s gardens will also feature an exhibition of historic boats from the Museo Barca Lariana collection, offering visitors a journey through the history, technology, and nautical culture of Lake Como.

“In this context, Futurism,” explains Dr. Marco Biondi, “literally means speaking toward the future. And for us, the future is young people. That is precisely the focus of the project through which ASDEC, the Museo Barca Lariana, and Randstad are working together to establish vocational training schools. The goal is to provide concrete career opportunities for the next generation by training skilled professionals in the restoration and construction of classic boats, addressing a growing and increasingly urgent demand—one that is especially evident today on Lake Como.”