The finest blend of hospitality and supercars
Less than a month until the event, Villa La Massa, the five-star hotel near Florence that is part of Villa d’Este Hotels, is gearing up for the second edition of Villa La Massa Excellence. The three-day event launched in 2023 in partnership with Canossa, a leader in organizing high-level events and experiences, provides the finest hospitality and iconic supercars manufactured between the 1990s to the present day, which are unique or have been made distinctive by customizations that accentuate their prestige.
Following the success of last year’s event, which saw the Ferrari F40 Prototipo win the Coppa d’Oro Villa la Massa cup, inspired by the Coppa d’Oro awarded at the Concorso di Eleganza organized at sister hotel Villa d’Este on Lake Como, the second edition will be equally exciting because of the models that will be taking part. Limited edition cars from manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Bugatti and smaller producers of special cars will be displayed in the Villa La Massa gardens from 11 to 13 October. A blend of elegance, power, culinary excellence, and the finest hospitality, Villa La Massa Excellence is the preferred meeting place for supercar collectors worldwide.
“The event strives to bring together a passion for cars, which have always been a leitmotif for Villa d’Este, the beauty of Florence and Tuscany, and the area’s culinary traditions,” remarks Davide Bertilaccio, CEO of Villa d’Este Spa. “With Canossa, we have developed an exciting program for participants and collectors. Added to this is a moment for the Florentine public, who are welcome to join us at Villa La Massa on Saturday to admire the cars as well as become an integral part of the show by voting for their favorite wheels.”
Public Access
Saturday 12 October will be open to the public with a special day pass, which includes the car show, brunch and car parade). Connoisseurs will be beguiled by the beautiful cars, their sporting pedigree, and the modern design by the river at Villa La Massa, and visitors will be called upon to vote for their favorite, which will be awarded in the afternoon with the People’s Choice prize. There will also be a children’s panel of judges who will enthusiastically pick their favorite car and award a special trophy.
Evening Gala
At the gala evening on Saturday 12 October in the refined surroundings of Michelin-starred chef Vito Mollica’s Atto restaurant at Palazzo Portinari Salviati in central Florence, the Supercars Firenze prizes will be handed out, with two categories and three prizes for each one: one is for the models that helped the evolution of the car and the other is for the models that represented innovation. Special prizes will also be awarded to the car with the most miles on the clock and the one that drove the further to be shown at Villa La Massa. Last but not least, there’s the coveted Best of Show, Coppa d’Oro Villa La Massa, which pays tribute to the famous Coppa d’Oro at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este.
Panel Discussion
A very special international panel will preside over the occasion, representing a range of skills and experiences: Emanuela Frattini, the award-winning architect and designer; Katarina Kyvalova, collector and rally driver; Emmanuel Bacquet, expert and curator of museums and private collections; Fabio Filippini, car designer; Stefano Guindani, fashion photographer and charity expert; Duccio Lopresto, collector and manager of RM Sotheby’s; Marco Makaus, car veteran and events organizer. Massimo Delbò, the renowned car historian and journalist, will chair the panel.
Luigi Orlandini, Chairman and CEO di Canossa, states, “I’m very happy to continue this partnership with the Villa d’Este Group after the success of the first edition of Villa la Massa Excellence. The first supercar, ‘Concorso d’eleganza’, will be even better this year, and we are convinced that it will grow over time. Villa La Massa, a jewel box close to Florence, is the perfect place to admire the most sought-after supercars, to appreciate their beauty and enjoy the company of many other car collectors. It’s a memorable experience for everyone taking as competitors and for the public as an active part of the contest.”
Villa La Massa is one of the Villa d’Este Group, which includes Villa d’Este, the iconic five-star hotel on Lake Como, where the renowned Concorso d’Eleganza is held every year. Villa d’Este and the car world share a lasting and unbreakable bond, which is emphasized by the organization of Villa La Massa Excellence: an extraordinary event designed to “savor life to the max” and experience a depth of emotions.
Villa La Massa Excellence 2024: the full program
Friday, Oct 11
- 19:00 – Welcome drinks on the terrace of the Il Verrocchio Restaurant at Villa La Massa
- 20:00 – Welcome dinner at the Il Verrocchio Restaurant
Saturday, Oct 12
- 10:00 – Car Show, gates open to the public
- 13:00 – Brunch at poolside Bistrot L’Oliveto
- 15:00 – Car parade in the Villa La Massa gardens
- 20:00 – For the collectors, Michelin-starred dinner at Atto Restaurant by Vito Mollica at Palazzo Portinari Salviati, in central Florence. Awards ceremony to end the evening, awarding “Supercars Firenze”
- 23:30 – Party at Villa La Massa
Sunday, Oct 13
- 9:30 – Setting off for a drive around the Mugello. (Guests who choose the overnight accommodation package can part in the experience driving a 500 Abarth.)
- 12:30 – Farewell Lunch at the charming Fattoria il Palagio in Scarperia e San Piero
Information and Reservations
Go HERE for more information
