Berlin-based Bijan shares how two August collections bring city life and Mediterranean escapes into his retirement

Please can you start by kindly introducing yourself and how you first discovered August? 

My name is Bijan, and I’m from Berlin. I’m now retired, and in the lead-up to retirement, I started thinking about how I wanted to spend my time and where I wanted to travel.

Initially, I considered buying a holiday home in Greece, but I began questioning how often I would actually use one particular property, especially during the winter months when life on a Greek island can be quite limiting.

At the time I was also exploring the idea of buying a boat, but there are so many practicalities and considerations that come with owning one. It was while looking into different boats that I came across an August advert. Good advertising! The concept immediately caught my attention, although at first, it almost sounded too good to be true.

I did some research and eventually spoke with Rory, one of the August Advisors. The concept really appealed to me, although the collections available at the time weren’t quite what I was looking for.

I’m more drawn to city living, so when August created their first Pied-à-Terre Collection, it felt like exactly the right fit. That’s ultimately how I became part of August.

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What made you decide to join August, was there something that stood out to you?

There are a few other companies offering a similar model, but three things really made August stand out for me.

The first is the locations. August offers a selection of destinations that feel quite different from those of its competitors, which really appealed to me.

The second is the quality of the homes and how thoughtfully they are curated. I could sense from the beginning that there was a real difference in the design, interiors and overall standard of the homes. It makes a big difference.

The third, and perhaps most important for me, is August’s strict no-rental policy. The homes are exclusively for the owners’ own use, rather than being treated as investment or rental properties. I think that fundamentally changes how a home is looked after. When you own a property that you use yourself, or share with friends and family, you care about the details in a different way. You want it to feel like your own home. I could see that distinction when comparing August with other providers, where some of the interiors felt more commercially furnished. I don't have IKEA furniture in my own home, and I certainly don't want it in my holiday home!

Finally, I was also impressed by August's booking system. August has clearly developed a great deal of experience in matching owners' different lifestyles, schedules and travel  patterns. The way the booking process is structured and managed is very clever, and it gives you confidence that everyone can make the most of their time across the collection. I also think the way the annual point drops are managed is a really smart system. August ensures that owners can’t reserve all their time at once. Instead, everyone submits their preferences, which helps distribute bookings fairly and gives all owners an equal opportunity to enjoy the homes. It’s a thoughtful approach that makes the whole system work well for everyone.

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You first joined one of our city-based collections called, Monti and then added another collection through a Private Sale, why did you choose these specific collections compared to others? 

I initially joined the Monti Collection because it was August’s first city-based collection, and I felt the combination of Cannes, Barcelona, Rome and Paris made absolute sense. I had quite a lot of business in Paris at the time, so that was particularly convenient, but I also really liked the balance of destinations.

What appealed to me was the opportunity to enjoy these cities throughout the year, including the quieter seasons. A winter stay in a Mediterranean city like Barcelona, for example, offers a very different experience from visiting a traditional holiday destination. The weather is still pleasant, there is always something happening, and the cities have a life of their own beyond the summer months. That year-round appeal was a big part of my decision.

Adding the second collection was a little more opportunistic. I had initially been interested in another collection and, when a private sale opportunity came up, I decided to explore it. Port Sóller was a one-off hybrid collection, combining city destinations with more rural escapes, including Tuscany and Mallorca. These were two destinations I particularly loved, so it felt like a natural addition. While there was some overlap with my Monti collection, including Cannes and Barcelona, the addition of Tuscany and Mallorca made it especially appealing.

One of the advantages of buying through a private sale is that you're joining an established Collection where all the homes are already completed and ready to enjoy. You can start using them straight away, and the whole process is also very straightforward and convenient.

Another reassuring aspect of a private sale is knowing that there is an established resale market and that you have the flexibility to exit your collection should your circumstances ever change. It’s not a big focus for me, but life can be unpredictable. Whether personal circumstances change or priorities evolve, it’s comforting to know that you’re not tied into a model where you can never exit. You own a tangible asset, there is a market for it, and August, as the company behind the model, supports that process. Having that flexibility and reassurance is very valuable.

That said, I don't think anyone should join an August collection with a financial motivation. That's not really the point. It's fundamentally a lifestyle decision, and you need to make the most of it and genuinely enjoy using the homes. If you're looking purely for a financial return, there are plenty of other investment opportunities to consider. However, it's reassuring to know that there is an established market should your circumstances change and you decide to sell. 

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You are a Director in our Monti Collection, can you tell us what’s involved and your role within the collection? 

I was initially asked to take on a Directors role, partly because I was the only EU citizen in the Collection at the time. It’s a relatively straightforward role, but one that gives you a much closer insight into how August operates and how the Collection is managed.

You get to see how things work behind the scenes, particularly when a new Collection is being established. For example, you have the opportunity to view potential homes before they are acquired, which gives you a greater understanding of the decisions being made. You also have visibility and oversight of the Collection’s finances, so you know exactly what is happening and how things are being managed.

It’s not a particularly time-consuming commitment, but it does give you a real sense of involvement. Ultimately, you're taking on a responsibility towards the other owners and helping to represent their collective interests. I think that's a positive part of being a Director and gives you an even greater connection to your Collection.

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Can you tell us how you typically use your homes? How often do you travel? 

I tend to have a fairly regular rhythm to how I use the homes throughout the year, with certain destinations naturally lending themselves to different seasons. Now that I’m retired, I have a little more flexibility, and living in Berlin means most of the destinations are only around two hours away by plane.

I generally aim to spend about one week away each month, travelling between the two Collections. From January to March, I tend to favour Barcelona and Cannes, followed by Tuscany and Mallorca between March and May.

I often avoid travelling in July and August, as these destinations can get quite busy during the summer months. I’m also conscious that many other owners prefer to use their homes during this period, so having the flexibility to travel at other times of the year works well for me.

September and October are usually a mix of Cannes and Tuscany, with a little travelling in November too. I also like to make sure I'm away for my birthday, which falls in December.

I also make quite a lot of use of last-minute bookings, either for myself or with friends. If a home becomes available and there are good flight options, I’m always happy to take the opportunity. That flexibility is one of the real advantages of being part of August.

Do you have a favourite home or location in your two collections? 

My favourite is definitely the Cannes apartment in the Monti Collection. It was actually the first August home I ever visited, so perhaps there is a little sentimental attachment, but it’s also somewhere I can completely switch off and relax. I particularly enjoy spending time on the terrace, ordering food in and simply enjoying being at home.

I also have a real appreciation for Mallorca, particularly Port Sóller, where I am actually staying at the moment. Everything is within walking distance, with cafés and restaurants just around the corner, and the weather is usually lovely. It makes for a very easy and relaxed stay.

I think what I enjoy most is that each home offers a different experience and vibe. In Mallorca, I'm more inclined to go out and explore, whereas in Cannes, I tend to stay in and enjoy the apartment. Tuscany is quite different again. It's more remote, so you need to plan ahead a little, whether that's shopping or arranging meals, as everything is about a 20 mins drive away.

Each destination has its own rhythm and character, which is part of what makes having access to different homes so enjoyable. 

One destination I haven't visited yet is Chamonix. Quite a few of my friends have been and speak very highly of it. A colleague of mine, who also owns in the same collection, is a keen skier and absolutely loves the destination. I'm not a skier myself, so I haven't made it there just yet, but it's certainly somewhere I'd like to explore.

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Having two collections do you feel you have enough time and flexibility with your weeks across the year? 

Yes, absolutely. I think having two collections works very well for me because I'm quite flexible with when I can travel. I'm not tied to school holidays or specific holiday periods, so I have the freedom to choose when I use my weeks throughout the year. I rarely find it difficult to secure the time I want.

In fact, I tend to be quite strategic with my bookings and try to make the most of the points system by choosing lower-point weeks whenever I have the flexibility to do so.

The only times I need to be a little more organised are when I'm planning trips with friends and family. For example, my sister, niece and nephew have less flexibility, so they often have quite specific dates in mind. That's when I need to be more attentive to the annual point drops and make sure I secure the weeks that work for everyone. It also makes me very popular as an uncle!

Overall, having two collections gives me plenty of choice and flexibility, particularly as I can travel outside the busiest holiday periods.

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Do you think you might add another collection or change to a different collection in the future? 

I'm very happy with my two collections as they are, so I don't think adding a third is necessary at this stage. If I were to make a change in the future, it would probably be to upgrade to a different collection rather than add another one.

Ultimately, my life is centred around Berlin, and that's where I want my home base to remain. I'm not looking to become a nomad, so there is naturally a limit to how much I can travel and how many weeks I can realistically make use of.

I actually travelled for 16 weeks last year, and that's just me travelling personally, not even taking into account all the additional bookings I made for friends and family! So I'm already making very good use of my collections.

For now, I feel I have a really good balance between enjoying my life in Berlin and having the flexibility to experience different places through August. I'm very happy with that.

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What advice would you give someone looking to join August or considering to join multiple collections? 

I think the first thing anyone considering August needs to understand is that it is fundamentally a lifestyle product, not an investment. To get the most out of it, you really need to use the homes, travel and experience the different destinations. Your motivation for joining a collection is therefore very important. If you're looking at it purely from a financial perspective, or don't see yourself making regular use of the homes, then it may not be the right fit for you. It's about the experiences and lifestyle it gives you access to.

If you're considering joining more than one collection, I think it makes sense to look at combinations that complement one another. For example, pairing a city-based collection with one of the countryside or Mediterranean collections gives you a much broader choice of destinations and experiences. There is also the option of purchasing two shares within the same collection, which would naturally give you greater flexibility and the opportunity to spend more time in the homes.

Ultimately, it's also about understanding your own needs: how often you want to travel, how many bedrooms you need, what size of home works for you and which destinations best suit your lifestyle. Taking the time to consider these factors from the beginning will help ensure you make the most of your experience as an August owner.