Interview with Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, Founder and Director of Passepartout Homes

Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande, originally from Italy, moved to London in 2000, afterworking in Belgium and Germany.After 13 years as Direct Marketing Manager for international publishing and newscompanies, most recently for Bloomberg LP, Paola decided to launch PassepartoutHomes in 2011. This is her first experience as an entrepreneur.

Paola graduated from the Catholic University of Milan with a Degree in Russianand German and a specialisation in Social Sciences. Paola also holds a Diploma inDirect Marketing from the British Institute of Direct Marketing.

Passepartout Homes is a boutique property and concierge club where membershipis strictly by referral or invitation only. Since the websites launch at the end ofDecember 2012, the portfolio of luxury rental accommodation has grown from just 6properties to 50, stretching across the globe.

What is it that you do exactly?

I came up with the idea of launching an exclusive club in 2011, on a flight back fromour holiday home in Italy.Our masseria had just been completed. Lots of love and care had gone into thisproject. Conscious of the fact we would soon incur several thousand Euros ofmaintenance costs per year, we were still reluctant to rent out our beautiful newhome to a stream of strangers sourced by various rental agencies, albeit reputable.

My husband and I thought that the only viable way for us to rent out our villa andcover some of the running costs was to create a network of trusted guests, whowould take care of the property as if it was their own, with respect and care.Talking to friends, we realised other people were in our same situation.

So Passepartout Homes was born at the end of 2011 and the websitewas launched at the end of 2012 with just 6properties. To date we offer over 50 luxury properties, spanning the globe, to aselected network of guests.

I am responsible for sourcing the properties and liaising directly with the owners, toensure they meet our strict criteria and meet our demanding guests requests. Mydirect marketing skills are also put to the test when recruiting new members.

My days are also busy with keeping the website running smoothly, engaging with oursocial media followers; liaising with the press; writing for our blog and guest postingon other blogs, such as Project Eve and The Next Women.

What would you say are the 3 best places you’ve ever stayed?

This is a very easy question to answer.

The best place I have ever visited is the Maldives, where my husband and I stayedat the Banyan Tree Hotel, in a garden villa with its own Jacuzzi. This was two daysafter 9/11 so, mood wise, perhaps not at its best. This barefoot chic hotelsums up what the Maldives are all about: a warm welcome, attentive service,incomparable clear waters and eco-living.

I also have fond memories of our stay at Parrot Cay, in the Turks and Caicos, ourfirst long haul trip with both my girls who, two years later, are still asking to go backthere. The private and secluded beach, combined with turquoise waters, friendlyservice, excellent food and probably the best Spa in the world, made it the mostrelaxing holiday we have had to date.

Last but not least, it has to be our masseria in Puglia, Masseria Il Trullino,surrounded by 200 ancient olive trees and nothing else but silence and peace. Theonly place in the world where my family and I truly relax and bond.

What’s been your most memorable dining experience to date?

Coming from Italy, eating is probably the most important experience in the daily livesof most Italians. Meals dont have to be grand or experimental to impress. Handmade pasta with fresh tomato sauce, basil picked from the garden and a spoonful ofextra virgin olive oil will do the trick.

However, my favourite place to eat isLAltro Baffo in Otranto (Apulia), whereevery dish is poetry. Try freshly prepared pasta with sea urchins!

I also love Alain Ducasses Le Jules Verne, on top of the Tour Eiffel for its greatview (and no queuing up at the bottom of the Tower) and of course for MonsieurDucasses incontournable dishes.

When in London, my favourite is Indian restaurant Rasoi, not just for the excellentIndian delicacies, but also the caring service and very romantic atmosphere. I cannotresist their Chocolate Cravings dessert (chocolate samosas, chocolate-mentholmilkshake, dark chocolate-cumin fondant & white chocolate-avocado kulfi capsule,chocolate panna cotta… and more chocolate).

Have you rubbed shoulders with the rich and famous, either through your work or your travels?

I work in a complex in London Canary Wharf where various personalities have comeand gone, like Robert De Niro, who owned an apartment here, or footballers fromWest Ham. Most memorably, a scene from the latest James Bond movie was filmedhere and for 3 days I could spy on Daniel Craig in his swimming trunks.

At Parrot Cay I sunbathed next to Kate Moss (not that she would remember!), a fewweeks before she got married. My daughter even had a 5-minute playdate with herdaughter (not that Lila would remember!).

What currently ranks highest on your travel wish list?

I am trying to slowly work through visiting all of our properties. Our portfolio isgrowing so rapidly, I am not sure Ill be able to manage it, in this lifetime at least! ButI’ll try. It’s difficult to choose as I love all of the properties we offer. Top of my list areour villa in Mykonos Drakothea, Villa Belle in Koh-Samui and a chalet in Austria.

Thank you for taking part in our interview, Paola. As a holiday property owner myself, I fully understand and appreciate the ethos of your venture. I would be interested to learn more about you go about ‘selecting’ your guests and how this method works in so far as ensuring good levels of occupancy for all your properties. Good luck with it all!