🔹 Hello, Lake Como.

Since the rest of the world is currently OOO, I'm keeping this short, sharp, and a bit nostalgic. I dug through the archives and got the top 25 moments that defined the lake this year.

Before we officially pivot to 2026, let’s see what 2025 looked like.

P.S. This newsletter is best consumed with a leftover slice of Panettone and strictly zero work notifications. I don't make the rules.

-Simona

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  1. Como Ventures launched.

    Lake Como startup scene got hotter - the local football club partnered with UK-based The Players Fund. 4 startups got selected for the new startup accelerator and investment platform.

  1. 5 Michelin-starred Lake Como restaurants reconfirmed.


    There were some expectations for upgrading to 2 stars, but it seems that we will need to wait for 2026.

  1. Bellano - among the Best Tourism Villages 2025.


    UN made its pick, and Bellano scored together with only 2 other Italian villages. Orrido di Bellano gorge definitely played a role for the win.

  1. Chanel streamed Cruise Collection ‘25 from Lake Como.


    The theme was “Life in a Grand Hotel”, and Villa d’Este became the venue of choice.

  1. An American bestselling author Adriana Trigiani, wrote a novel, “The View from Lake Como.”


    The author appeared in multiple American shows and media outlets, and the book is already rated by 22K+ people on Goodreads. Did anyone read it already? How was it?

  1. Como 1907 made international headlines on multiple occasions - aiming to become $1B company.

    They launched a gaming club, business club, multiple merch lines collaborating with Adidas, brought the team to 6th spot at Serie A (so far), and are not slowing down soon.

  1. The legendary “The Devil Wears Prada” had scenes filmed in Lake Como.


    Love it or hate it, every top Hollywood production brings in a new inflow of attention to Lake Como.

  1. The Villa d'Este bought Termimnus, Vista Como, and Regina Olga.


    Quite a year for Villa d’Este, which also created an umbrella brand, “Villa d’Este La Collezione”.

  1. New Hybrid Ferry arrived in Lecco.


    Navigazione Laghi hired heavily this year, increasing their transport capacity.

  1. Lake Como captured 14.8% of US real estate buyers’ national interest.

  1. Passalacqua was recognised among the best hotels in the world. Again.


    This year, Passalacqua became 4th and was the only European hotel in the top 10.

  1. Viale Geno lakefront project was announced.


    Around 1M Eur will be invested in the Como promenade, and the delivery date is before summer 2026. Fingers crossed!

  1. The annual meeting of Forbes Global Properties happened at Lake Como.


    100 international property consultants gathered in Villa d'Este and visited the top properties around the lake.

  1. Raffles announced hotel opening in Moltrassio.


    Scheduled to open in 2027, another 5-star hotel will open next to Passalacqua.

  1. Mandarin Oriental won Italy’s Best Hotel Spa award


    …and 3 Global Sustainability awards.

  1. Landscape Design Event Orticolario attracted 30 000 visitors over the weekend.


    Lake Como continued its path towards becoming an all-year destination - event happened in October.

  1. Hotel Pre-Launch campaigns got way more creative.


    Lake Como EDITION hotel (opening in 2026) partnered with Sotheby’s. The Lake Como-inspired necklace with a hotel stay package were sold in an auction for $26,000.

  1. Bellagio was listed among the top 15 most beautiful villages in the world.


    You can bet that the Bellagio appeal will not decrease in 2026.
    The rating was made by Petit Fute.

  1. Knight Frank’s Luxury Investment Index was down -6% YoY - the first decline after a decade of growth.


    However, the ultra-wealthy are not losing their wealth. In fact, the number of global billionaires continues to rise. The Economist explained the shift.

  1. Como became the #1 Tax-Free shopping province in Lombardy (excluding Milan)


    Tax-Free spending in Como kept growing: +6% YoY. Americans and Swiss covered more than half of the total tax-free spending.

  1. Van Gogh Museum acquired 1897 “Lake Como Pastel”


    It is among Belgian artist Degouve’s largest and most important pastels, and was warmly received at the 1897 Salon de La Libre Esthétique.

  1. A historic 5-star hotel was reborn after 40 years.


    Nuvole Garden Hotel (formerly Grand Hotel Milano) opened in Brunate in March 2025.

  1. We learned that 83% of Lake Como visitors were foreigners.


    Other important trends: less seasonality, growing all-year tourism.

  1. Ralph Lauren won an award at the "Concours d'Elegance".

    “Competition of Elegance for vintage cars and motorcycles” attracted over 12000 participants and got attention from international HNWIs.

  1. Hospitality investments recorded the strongest annual growth (+91%), with international investors accounting for around 50% of total activity.


    Italian capital markets looked strong this year.

❝

Did I miss a massive local headline? Hit reply and tell me your #1 moment of 2025.

To the best of the best years!
We all deserved it.
🥂

- Simona

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