Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este

There are car shows, and then there is Villa d’Este. Heading to Lake Como for the Concorso d’Eleganza is always a bit surreal. The lake was perfectly still, the gardens (almost) in full bloom, and the air was filled with the sound of engines that have been running for a century.

As a guest of BMW, I had the chance to get behind the wheel of some of their vintage classics. There is something about the weight of an old steering wheel and the mechanical click of the gears that you just do not get with modern cars. It feels like you are driving a piece of history rather than just a machine. Maybe a bit too much now but some cars are special and as a fan of Jaguar and Ferrari, I got my fair share.

We also got a first look at the new Rolls-Royce. Seeing that level of craftsmanship up close against the backdrop of the Italian Alps and Lake Como is something else. It is the perfect blend of being modern while still feeling like it belongs in the 1930s. I believe the unveiling was at the Mandarin Oriental, which in itself is a wonderful hotel.

Between the parades of rare cars and the quiet moments by the water, it was a great weekend.