We chose a week in late September, to avoid high season costs and meltingly hot weather, and were fortunate with an ideal late summer.
Admittedly, the drive up to Peralta can be somewhat alarming for the uninitiated: the road from Pieve (a village on the ascending outskirts of Camaiore – the nearest town) twists and turns with steep sharp curves and a few blind corners. The road is one-way and regular horn tooting round corners is strongly advised; but fortunately accidents are very few.
Once you've ascended, you walk along a short path into the hamlet of about six stone dwellings of various sizes, connected by stairways and walkways, and with many compelling sculptures, bougainvillea and olive trees, along with basil and rosemary bushes, lemon trees, chestnut trees, geranium, lavender, plumbago, grape vines, and postcard scenery as far as the eye can see.
Despite initially feeling a little remote, you'll enjoy all creature comforts in your accomodation; and really, Pieve (which has two fine little grocery shops and a fabulous restaurant) is only about 2km away.
Accomodation is well and unobtrusively managed by Kate, who also ensures that the hamlet is maintained in the spirit of Fiore de Henriquez (the sculptor who restored the houses and made Peralta her life-art project).
This is truly a remarkable and beautiful place to stay!

The fact that my husband urged me not to write a review as it would encourage far too many others to visit, says it all! This was our second visit and will certainly not be our last. The tricky winding road up to reach Peralta in all its wooded isolation lends a feeling of excitement and anticipation. This is an ideal holiday for the independent traveller: the staff were welcoming and readily took our suitcases to La Pipistrelle (we had requested the same flat as last year) and showed us all that we needed to know.
Apart from the swimming pool, the amenities are few and simple. Just what we wanted as an escape from London life. Peralta is essentially self-catering but guests can also buy Laura's legendary ready-prepared food to eat in their own accommodation. There is a small bar which works on an 'honesty' principle and guests often gather for an aperitif on the wide terrace dominated by sculptor Fiore de Henriques' monumental dove sculpture. The view is outstanding: the sea on the horizon flanked by mountains with Camaiore spread out below.
Each room (and at the bar) has a booklet describing all the local sights, Dinah's (owner) favourite walks and drives, with accurate directions and other local information.
This is not a holiday for people looking for constant amusement, but if like us, you seek the opportunity to walk, swim, read and even talk to one another you couldn't do better than Peralta. Thank you to Dinah, Kate, Laura, Stephen and the team.

Just returned from a fabulous holiday in Peralta. We stayed in Studiolo and were painting and sketching in the area. There are lots of places to visit that are near by and the highlights for me were visits to Lucca - the religious procession was very moving; Pietrasanta is full of the most wonderful sculptures and Colonata, near Carrara for the marble.

It is a tranquil place, high in the Tuscan hills. A car is essential, but do hire a small car as the roads are very narrow with perilous hairpin bends. There is a lot of climbing up steps, not so good for the unfit, but its surprising how fit you do become after a few days.

During our 10 day stay, fresh linen was only provided on arrival - it would have been pleasant to have fresh towels and bed linen part way through, and this is the reason for my review as 'very good' and not excellent.

This was one of those holiday experiences that will always stay with us. We came to Europe from the New Zealand winter, discovered Peralta online and booked it at the last minute. Everything about it was sublime. Our house (Casa Giovanni) was perfect – private, beautifully furnished, artfully decorated, very comfortable, and with expansive views you can gaze at endlessly. The hamlet is peaceful, charming, and its long history fascinating. Its relative isolation makes it all the more special, and the road in is not as dire as it might sound (when you have conquered it once, and provided you have a small car!). The walks are delightful, and the local flora fascinating. The store down the road provides wonderful locally grown produce. We felt very welcome, and so at home. Our stay here with family members was all too short. We would love to return for a longer time to settle into its benign ambiance.