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By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande December 29, 2020 in Adventure Travel, Experiences, Travel Tips, Wellness Retreats, Yoga No Comments

5 of the Best Luxury Travel Guides for 2021

Are you a planner or a last-minute traveller? I am definitely a planner, although 2020 has forced me to explore the advantages and joys of last-minute trips, and adapt to the constant change of plans even 24 hours before departure. I did not think I could just look up a destination the night before, book, pack leave on a whim and actually enjoy it. I thought everything had to be meticulously thought through and carefully planned to avoid disappointment. But hey, 2020 forced us to revisit and reevaluate our habits

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande December 21, 2020 in Christmas, Destination: France, Food and Drink No Comments

A merry Christmas à la Française

French Christmas cake

This year in France, like in many other countries, Christmas is going to be a very different season. For obvious reasons, it will be a much more intime, somber and likely to be a lonelier affair. In an attempt to look beyond the pandemic, and shine a brighter light during this Christmas week so severely mutilated, I had the pleasure to interview Héloïse Prieur, a long-standing sympathizer of Passepartout Homes. She is a French language & culture coach living in London, a wine amateur and Founder of BELLE ENTENTE. Héloïse

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande December 21, 2020 in Destination: Italy, Destinations, Food and Drink, Recipes No Comments

Recipe of the Week – Tuscan Stuffed Duck

Tuscan stuffed duck is a typical dish from the areas of Siena and Arezzo. Our Homeowners, Chef Francesco and Patrizia, from Podere Vetrichina in Tuscany, share with us this scrumptious Christmas recipe. Duck has been bred in Italy for at least three centuries. Eggs are also appreciated from this animal, although ducks are mainly considered for their meat: reddish and a little fatter than chicken, it is excellent roasted and traditionally combined with fruit such as citrus fruits, cherries, chestnuts. To cook the whole duck, you need to calculate 1

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande November 18, 2020 in Christmas, Food and Drink, Gift Ideas, Shopping No Comments

Our top 5 ethical Christmas hampers

Be responsible this Holiday Season With Christmas just over a month away, we have carefully selected for you 5 of the best ethical Christmas hampers 2020. Which one is your favorite? Twelfth Night Basket in support of Marie Curie Price: £210.00 https://shop.mariecurie.org.uk/product/twelfth-night-hamperThis opulent Christmas hamper is packed full of luxurious food and drink. The carefully packed rattan storage basket with wooden handles is heaving with plenty to discover and enjoy. The Twelfth Night Basket is also available in a convenient 100% recyclable festive carton. The fabulous artist goodness hamperPrice £150.00

By Paola Fiocchi Van den Brande September 7, 2020 in Destination: family-friendly villas, Destination: Italy, Family Travel, Food and Drink, Travel Tips No Comments

Lecce : artistic and culinary treasures

Deep into the heel of the Italian boot lies a wonderful Apulian gem–Lecce, the heart of the Salento area famous for its pristine beaches and remarkable culture. The land of olive groves and ancient “masserie” is especially popular for its very own interpretation of the Baroque architectural style of the late 16th-century, the “Barocco Leccese”. Sought after for its churches (there are more than forty!), piazzas, small courts and noble palaces, Lecce is also home to a Roman amphitheater dating back to the Augustan age. Flowers, fruit trees, cherubs and

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