PERPETUALLY LIVING LA DOLCE VITA

LIFESTYLE

Riva Yachts: How to Cruise the Italian Riviera in Ultimate Dolce Vita Style

In its heyday the mahogany Riva motor launch was the Alfa Romeo of the boat world, the epitome of the Dolce Vita lifestyle.

The Riva yachts: 27 to 164 feet of seduction

Like Alfa Romeo they have not only entered the modern era with engines racing, but the brand's rich heritage is what truly sets it apart. Founded by Pietro Riva in 1842 on Italy's Lake Iseo, by the 1960s Riva's exquisite, elegant and sporty mahogany motorboats, built entirely by hand, had won favor with the likes of Brigitte Bardot, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Aristotle Onassis, Gianni Agnelli and Sean Connery, as well as several royals and heads of state around the world.

The Acquarama, introduced in 1962, was the pinnacle of the Riva range. Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson, who drove a classic Aquarama in Venice for an episode of the hit show, called it "the most beautiful thing in the world." Vintage models, especially ones with special provenance, can easily fetch upwards of $400,000, putting them in the realm of classic cars. One glorious example, built for aristocratic Italian motorcycle magnate Count Domenico Agusta, turned up for sale by Kidston of Geneva a couple years ago.

Other Riva models, like the 1958 Riva Tritone built for Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, can bring in even more. Ditto the special limited edition Aquariva created in 2010 in collaboration with Gucci, a stylish modern take on a highly coveted classic. In more recent years however Riva has focused on building much bigger yachts of the sort that appeal to the world's biggest players. A couple summers ago Naomi Campbell's Russian ex-boyfriend Vladimir Doronin was spotted partying with the supermodel and Leo DiCaprio aboard his Riva 86' Domino, a super sleek and sporty vessel that Riva naturally refers to as a "coupé."

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PERPETUALLY LIVING LA DOLCE VITA

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