On a sunny late April morning in Monte Carlo, 42 exceedingly rare vintage cars from around the world assembled on the plaza in front of the famed casino. The roar of revving engines in high-net-worth autos ranging from a 1913 Isotta Fraschini IM to a token modern concept car reverberated through our bones as we awaited the start of the Louis Vuitton Classic Serenissima Run. The brand, which claims travel as a core theme, has sponsored seven Louis Vuitton Classics around the world since 1993.

Serenissima’s route took drivers and navigators 1,400 kilometers (about 870 miles) over four days on a scenic Alpine journey to Venice with overnight stays in Menthon-Saint-Bernard, France, Stresa, Italy, and Verona. Valued at more than $300 million, the field included Arturo Keller’s 1938 Mercedes-Benz 540K, which claimed the best of show prize, Bruce Meyer’s 1929 Bentley 4 ½ liter, Michael Leventhal’s 1950 Ferrari 166 MM, and Thomas Price’s 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO, a model so rare that one recently sold for more than $30 million. Christian Philippsen, who is in charge of the jury and car selection, piloted a one-of-a-kind 1939 Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 SS “256.”