Please could you start by introducing yourselves and sharing a little about how you first discovered August?

Linda: We’re Linda and Dan, and we’ve been with August for almost five years. At the time, we were living in London and looking for ways to travel more frequently across Europe. We had started considering buying a second home where we could spend roughly half the year. I came across August through an online search and, having a background in finance, was naturally interested in understanding the business model. The concept made sense to me, so we got in touch with the team and began exploring the idea of shared ownership in a collection of homes across multiple destinations.

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What initially attracted you to August, and was there anything in particular that stood out and ultimately influenced your decision to join?

Dan: What attracted us to August was this idea that if we were to buy a house in France, Spain, Italy or somewhere else in Europe, there would be a lot of things to navigate, particularly when you don't know the language, the legal customs or the tax implications. You hear stories from people about their experiences and how difficult it can be.

We've spoken to a few August owners more recently who said they had previously owned a house abroad but decided to sell because of all the issues that came with it. They then joined August because it helped solve many of those challenges.

I think that was a real attraction for us: being able to focus on the holidaying part and not really having to worry about the house for the rest of the year when we're not there. It's an ideal situation.

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Linda: To add to that, if we had bought one property, it would probably have sat there unused for much of the year, or we would have had to try to be landlords, which wasn't particularly appealing to us. I also really like the wider footprint of what August is doing in these communities. The homes are being purchased and, importantly, they're being used rather than sitting empty. I like to think that the 21 owners in our collection could each have gone out and bought 21 separate houses, but instead, we've bought five and are sharing them. I think that's a much friendlier and more sustainable approach for the local communities.

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You’re both originally from the States but live in London. From an American perspective, what has your experience of owning homes in Europe been like? What do you think Americans value? 

Linda: For context, we've been living in the UK for around 10 years, so in many ways we think of ourselves much more as European than American now. That said, we grew up with an American perspective, and we still have plenty of friends back in the States who we talk to about August, including some who are already owners.

I think one of the biggest attractions for an American looking to spend more time in Europe would be the opportunity to have access to five different homes, each offering a very different experience and cultural setting. From an American perspective, buying a single property in Europe and travelling back and forth to use it could feel quite daunting, particularly when you consider all the practicalities involved. With August, you have the flexibility and variety of several homes and destinations, rather than being tied to just one place. I think that's a really compelling proposition for Americans who want to experience more of Europe.

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Dan: I would also add that the locations August has selected are a big part of the appeal. I think there's a certain romance associated with Europe, particularly when you're looking at it from an American perspective. Places like Mallorca, the South of France, Tuscany, Paris and the Cotswolds are destinations that people dream about visiting. They're places that already have a strong sense of identity and appeal. The cities selected for Grand Pied-à-Terre are exactly the sort of destinations someone coming from America would want to experience. The combination of those iconic locations and the variety of homes is a really compelling part of the concept.

Success breeds success. So as August continues to grow and more Americans become part of the community, it demonstrates to others in the States that people are doing this, enjoying the experience and getting a lot out of it. Hearing those stories and seeing other Americans having such a positive experience makes the concept feel much more accessible.

I remember someone at a recent August event describing their August experience as life-changing, and I think there's something to that. It gives you an anchor in Europe, but it doesn't have to be the only place you visit. You can use one of the homes as a starting or finishing point for a wider trip, or even combine a couple of destinations, which is something we often do to create multi-week holidays. That flexibility is a real part of the draw: you have somewhere familiar to return to, while still having the freedom to explore everything around it.

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Linda: Another part, both for us and I imagine for Americans living in the States, is the experience you get from having a home in Europe rather than simply spending that money on hotels and holidays each year. We still do a bit of that, of course, and often sprinkle hotel stays into our August trips, but it's a very different and, I think, a much fuller experience when you return to homes you're already familiar with.

You start to build a connection with the homes and the communities, and there's a real comfort in that familiarity and ease. You know what to expect, you have a kitchen, you know the layout and what your bedrooms will be like. When you're constantly booking hotels or other accommodation, it's a bit hit or miss. Some are wonderful, others less so. There's something really nice about getting to know these homes over time and having that sense of familiarity when you arrive.

You initially joined one of our Signature Collections before adding Grand Pied-à-Terre. What drew you to the Grand Pied-à-Terre Collection?

Linda: We've really enjoyed being part of the Signature Collection, but ultimately, it came down to wanting to spend even more time in Europe. As a retired couple, we have the flexibility to travel more, and we also really enjoy spending time in cities. So when Grand Pied-à-Terre launched with three-bedroom homes, it made a lot of sense for us, particularly as we have two grown children who both have partners.

We also saw it as a really good complement to Signature. The city destinations are in the same regions as some of the Signature homes, so having both Collections allows us to combine destinations and string together multiple weeks away. We could already do that to some extent with Signature, but having Grand Pied-à-Terre gives us even more variety and flexibility to create longer, more varied holidays with the family.

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Dan: We also have friends who joined August based on their experience with us and after seeing some of our homes in the Signature Collection. They went on to join the first Pied-à-Terre Collection, and we had the opportunity to visit and stay in a couple of their homes. We absolutely loved the experience of being in the cities. So, when Grand Pied-à-Terre came along, we already had a good sense of what to expect and knew it would offer a little more space. We particularly liked the idea of having three bedrooms in the homes. The two collections appeal to us in different ways, and we're really enjoying having both.

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Within your Grand Pied-à-Terre Collection, you’ve now experienced the homes in Cannes, Rome and Paris. Could you tell us a little about each destination and what you particularly enjoy about staying in each?

Dan: We were in Cannes just last week, towards the end of October, and it was lovely. Even at that time of year, the days were bright and sunny, much like London but considerably warmer, in the 70s Fahrenheit or 20s Celsius! The town was still very much alive, with shops and restaurants open, which was great as we weren't quite sure what to expect so late in the season.

We had spent the previous week at our Signature home in the South of France, so it was only about a 45-minute drive down to Cannes. We'd actually seen the apartment very early in its renovation, just after the demolition work had been completed, so it was wonderful to return and see the finished result. The building itself is beautiful, and the apartment has such a great view from the balcony. It was also incredibly peaceful while we were there.

Our friends who are part of the Pied-à-Terre Collection happened to be staying in Cannes at the same time, so they came over for the sunset and we had a fun evening entertaining them at the apartment. That's something we particularly enjoy about August: being able to have friends over, whether they're staying with you or simply visiting from nearby.

I also love being able to walk along the seafront and through the town, with all the shops and restaurants along the way. We even took the ferry over to Île Sainte-Marguerite with our dog, where we spent some time walking the trails among the pines and exploring the fort. It was just a really lovely week.

We first stayed in Rome in September. We'd previously visited friends who were staying in the original Pied-à-Terre home. Our Grand Pied-à-Terre apartment is on the other side of the river, so it was a different experience.

The apartment itself is spectacular. The finishes are beautiful, and I particularly like how some of the original architectural details have been preserved while giving the space a more contemporary, refreshed feel. The marble from the original bathrooms was repurposed to create the kitchen flooring, which is a welcomed and unexpected detail. Our friends have since stayed there too, and they were equally impressed with the apartment.

The location is also fantastic. There are some wonderful restaurants and shops within walking distance, and you're only about a 15-minute walk from the Vatican. It's an interesting part of Rome to explore and a great base from which to enjoy the city.

The Paris home is a gem, with beautifully appointed interiors, generous bedrooms and comfortable living spaces. The location is really unbeatable, just moments from Place des Vosges and the heart of Le Marais, with excellent access to the rest of Paris on foot or by Metro.

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Do you have a favourite home or destination within your Grand Pied-à-Terre Collection, or does each offer something different depending on the occasion?

Linda: Rome is a fantastic apartment, and I can't wait to go back! All the apartments are so great that it's impossible to choose a favourite – a bit like picking a favourite child!

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Dan: We also really love Paris – I mean who doesn't? It's such a wonderful city. If you could drop us anywhere in Europe, other than London, which we also love, I think Paris would be our first choice. You can walk to so many places, with the Seine just around the corner and Notre-Dame within easy reach. It's a wonderful base from which to explore the city.

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Linda: August is doing a really good job of carefully selecting its locations and taking the time to get things right. As a member of the board for our Grand Pied-à-Terre Collection, Negresco, I've had a closer insight into that process. I've seen how considered and thorough the approach is, and I really appreciate the care that goes into selecting each location.

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As owners across two Collections, how do you find the balance of your time between them? Do you feel you have the flexibility to make the most of your weeks throughout the year?

Linda: By having the two collections, it makes the holidays we're putting together feel even more complete and fulfilling.

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Dan: In the past, we've often looked at how we could combine multiple weeks within the Signature Collection to make the most of our time. 

Now with two collections, we're thinking a little more carefully about how we structure our time and how we can combine different destinations. Rather than staying in one place for an extended period, we might look at travelling from one home to another and creating a more varied trip. That said, we've stayed for as long as four consecutive weeks in our Mallorca home in the Signature Collection, which has been our longest stay so far.

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Linda: We've also been able to share some of our August time with family and friends by gifting them weeks in the homes. For instance, we have friends staying in our Rome apartment this December.

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What advice would you give to someone considering joining August, particularly if they’re thinking about joining more than one Collection?

Linda: We're always happy to speak with anyone considering joining August, so we would really encourage prospective owners to talk to existing members and hear about their experiences first-hand. Once you're an owner, you naturally gain a much better understanding of how everything works, from the booking system to the overall process. That experience also gives you the confidence to share your perspective with others who are considering joining.

One thing to bear in mind, particularly if you're considering adding a second Collection, is that check-in days can vary. Some Collections run from Friday to Friday, while others are Saturday to Saturday. We understand why August operates this way, but it's something worth being aware of, as it requires a little more planning when combining stays across two different Collections.

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Dan: Another important point is that this is real ownership. You own a stake in the company that owns the homes, alongside the other owners in your collection, with a Board. What you hold is a real, registered share in something lasting, and that’s an important distinction.

The other real advantage is that August takes care of the day-to-day management of the properties, including everything from smaller maintenance issues to larger works, which are often organised during dedicated maintenance weeks. Each Collection has a board where owners can make recommendations and have a say, so it's great to feel that you have a voice in how the properties are looked after and improved.

I'd also encourage people to consider how they might combine their August stays with other travel. You can use one of the homes as a base and then explore the surrounding region, or build a longer trip around several August destinations. If you have the time and flexibility to do that, it can make the experience even more rewarding.

An important consideration when owning two Collections is having enough time to make proper use of them. Between the two, you have quite a lot of weeks, so it's important to be realistic about how often you want to travel and whether that fits with your lifestyle. For us, it's something we talk about quite a lot: how to plan our time, combine destinations and make the most of both collections. It has become a really enjoyable part of the experience.