🔹 Hello, Lake Como.

A company from Fino Mornasco just sent the Mandalorian's helmet into orbit - so the lake's reach is officially interstellar now.

Closer to the ground: long-term rental listings are up 77%, two startup programs want your application, and Concorso crowned Germans.

Let's get into it.
-Simona

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🔦 Spotlight: Long-term rentals supply in Como is up +70% this year

What's Happening:

Idealista launched its long-term rentals Q1 report for 2026.
Supply grows nationally, but the Como area dramatically surpasses Italy’s average.

  • 19% more rental homes on the market nationwide in Q1 2026 vs. last year.

  • Short-term rental rules are forcing the shift. Stricter short-term rental laws are pushing properties into long-term rentals.

  • North booming, South flat. Supply is growing in 39 of 47 northern provinces, but only 10 of 24 in the South.

  • Some northern cities have too much supply now. Belluno +162%, Verona +78%, Como +77%.

  • Many owners are waiting to sell, so they're renting instead. This is inflating supply.

  • Sicily and other islands: supply actually down 1%.

What does it mean for us?

Como is a case study of what regulation does overnight. Long-term rental supply in the province is up 77% year-on-year - not because of new construction, but because short-term rental rules and taxes pushed short-term rental hosts into the long-term market. Plus, the whole interest rates and global uncertainty are not speeding up the sales.

Are we missing something?

⭐ In Case You Missed It

🏎️ About Last Weekend

🏆 Germany Sweeps. Two German cars took the Concorso d'Eleganza: the 1937 BMW 328 "Bügelfalte" won Best of Show, and the public crowned a Mercedes 300 SL Roadster.

📹 VW Goes Viral. Classic Driver's recap: a near-forgotten 2000 VW W12 Nardò stole the show - a phone clip of it hit nearly 5 million views.

💎 Spotted Lakeside. Two ultra-rare one-offs explored the lake over the weekend: the $10M Bugatti Chiron Profilée and the 1,000-hp Mercedes C1000.

🏍️ BMW's Jet Bike. BMW Motorrad revealed the Vision K-18 at the Concorso.

🏗️ Local Projects & Life

🍸 Terrazza's Back. Terrazza 125 in Brienno reopens for the season on May 22 - live music every Friday.

🔌 Free Chargers. Poste Italiane is installing free EV chargers in small towns in the Como area - 59 already across 35 comuni.

✨ Real Estate and Business

🏨 Villa d'Este Grows. The group posted €115.3M in 2025 revenue (+14%) and opens Miralago with 8 branded serviced apartments in Cernobbio in late June.

🛰️ Como to Orbit. D-Orbit, the space-logistics firm from Fino Mornasco, partnered with Disney to send a replica of the Mandalorian's helmet into orbit to promote the new Star Wars film.

🚀 Space, Inc. Lombardy and Veneto signed a pact to build a joint aerospace supply chain, chasing a space growing 10%+ a year.

🧪 Startups Wanted. The Lake Como Venture Lab is open for applications until June 30 - free incubation for mechatronics and medtech startups, no equity taken.

💰 Global Mentions

👜 Ciao, Guess. Guess staged its "Ciao Como" takeover right after their perfume launch on the ferry, and opened a pop-up on Bellagio's lakefront.

⛳ Golf Turns 100. Villa d'Este's golf club turns 100 this year. Robb Report covers the course upgrades and the celebration on June 20–21.

📱Trending on Socials:
One of the biggest weekends of the year just passed

Instagram post

🏠 Real Estate

Private garden, panoramic terrace, renovation is needed, the villa is built in 1920.
View

Garage, terrace, 2 bathrooms, lake view. Renovation might be needed.

Apartment in a fully restored historic villa. Terrace, balcony, swimming pool, garden. Energy efficiency: A.

🏢 Businesses for Sale

💼 Job Opportunities

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📅 Events This Week (May 21 to May 27)
Thursday, May 21
WINE TASTING
🍷 Charity wine evening · One Wine Night
Hangar di Como · Viale Masia 44 · Free entry
Friday, May 22
CLASSICAL CONCERT
🎹 Open-air piano concert · Chopin & Mozart at Villa Carlotta
18:30 · Villa Carlotta · Tremezzina · Free
GUIDED WALK
🌿 Eco walk & sensory trail · Siamo Paesaggio – Villa del Grumello
18:15 · Hortus Plinii, Como · Free
Saturday, May 23
NATURE HIKE
🦋 Family cave hike · FAI: Explorers at Buco del Piombo
8:30 · Albavilla · €15–18
EXHIBITION OPENING
🖼️ New exhibition launch · Viaggi d'autore sul Lago di Como
11:00 · Museo del Paesaggio · Tremezzina · €5
THEATRE SHOWCASE
🎭 Student performances · Saggi delle Scuole del Teatro Sociale
10:30–22:00 · Teatro Sociale · €5
POP-UP MARKET
🛍️ Opening day · Temporary Deliciae – Fashion, Vintage & Design Market
From 10:00 · Via Diaz 18, Como · May 23–29
FESTIVAL
🌏 Asian culture festival · Festival dell'Oriente
Lario Fiere · Erba · €16
Sunday, May 24
DJ BRUNCH
🎧 Lakeside brunch & DJ set · Morning Club – Briisa de Ness
11:00–15:00 · Nesso, Lake Como · Free entry · table reservation for brunch
WELLNESS
🧘 Floating meditation · Floating Meditation Bath
Hilton Spa, Como · See Instagram for details
GUIDED TOUR
🪨 Hidden village tour · Brienno – Il Paese Labirinto
10:00 · Brienno · €15
KIDS WORKSHOP
🐝 Children's bee workshop · World Bee Day – Villa Carlotta
14:30 · Villa Carlotta · Tremezzina · with admission · ages 5–11
THEATRE SHOWCASE
🎭 Student performances · Saggi delle Scuole del Teatro Sociale
11:00–22:00 · Teatro Sociale · €5
FESTIVAL
🌏 Asian culture festival · Festival dell'Oriente
Last day · Lario Fiere · Erba · €16
✅ Weekly To-Do
 

✅ ⛳ Book the Legends Exhibition Golf event at Villa d’Este : Historic golf atmosphere meets one of the lake’s most iconic venues.

✅ 🇮🇹 Plan your Republic Day evening for June 2nd: Concerts, fireworks and celebrations are scheduled across most Lake Como towns.

✅ 🚀 Apply for the Lake Como Venture Lab programme : Startup acceleration, mentorship and investor access with Lake Como as the backdrop.

✅ 🚀 Apply for the ComoNExT “Incubatore d’Impresa” call : Funding, mentorship and support for startups ready to scale.

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- Simona

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