Studiolo at Peralta

Description from the owner

This apartment is part of the beautiful peaceful hamlet of Peralta, located in a spectacular setting in the hills that rise high above the valley of Camaiore in northern Tuscany. With stunning, panoramic views over the valley to the hills and sea beyond and surrounded by terraces of olive groves, its stone walls covered with purple bougainvilleas, lemon trees, jasmine, Peralta seems like paradise, a place for people seeking tranquility and beauty. There is a swimming pool on an upper terrace with a panoramic view towards the sea. The large terrace in front of Peralta is a lovely place to sit with a glass of wine, enjoy the sunsets and... meet other guests. Although seeming very secluded, Peralta is only 25 minutes from the main Genoa/Livorno/Florence autostrada (exit Viareggio), 40 minutes from Lucca, Pisa and Carrara. Sightseeing is easy, Peralta provides a haven of calm to return to after a busy day.

The apartment 'Studiolo' was originally an artist’s studio. The living room has full length windows, facing south, with a spectacular view over the valley of Camaiore to the hills beyond and the sea. On very clear days we can see Corsica outlined on the horizon. The winter sunsets are fabulous. This large room with its high sloping ceiling has a seating area with large sofa, very comfortable chairs. The dining table seats six and the open plan kitchen area is fully equipped for all culinary needs with its four burner gas hob, electric oven and a dishwasher. The lovely old marble sink gives great character to the room.

There are two double bedrooms, one of which can also be a twin room. Two bathrooms with showers. One of these bathrooms has been entirely renovated this year using marble (for which the area is renowned). The bedrooms look out onto the olive groves and are very quiet, and cool in the summer months.

There is an attic bedroom with two single beds, access to which is by steps leading from one of the bedrooms. This room is very popular for children.

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The hamlet of Peralta was restored with great love and imagination by international sculptor Fiore de Henriquez. She created a place that is quite unique and very inspiring for anyone with creative tendancies. Peralta was Fiore's home up to her death in June 2004, and one can see her work all through the hamlet. Her sculpture everywhere, and the manner in which she restored and designed the hamlet give it very special atmosphere and character.

The hamlet is divided into various sizes of accommodation, sleeping from two to eight guests - or a total of 18 bedrooms for anyone wishing to take the whole place for a party or workshop.

We are surrounded by lovely walking country with marked trails through the olive groves and hills dense with chestnut trees and known for their wild flowers in spring and autumn. Walks range from 50 minutes around the contour of the hills to a delightful restaurant in an adjoining village, to three hours up to the peak of the Mount Prana above Peralta.

The wild flowers are wonderful in spring and autumn, with some rare species to be found. Botanists are always very excited by the area!

Airports: Pisa 45 min - Florence 1 h - Genoa 1h40min - Bologna 2 hrsRead more

Additional Location Information

Airports: Pisa 45 min - Florence 1 h - Genoa 1h40min - Bologna 2 hrs
The journey from Pisa airport to Peralta takes 45 minutes by A11 autostrada in the direction of Genoa.
The autostrada runs down the coast from Genoa to Livorno (A11), with a major branch going off from Viareggio to Florence/Lucca (A10). This is the exit for Peralta
Peralta is a hillside hamlet with breathtaking views situated in the northern part of Tuscany (Versilia), on the slopes of the Alpi Apuane (national park), 10 min from the market town of Camaiore which, in turn, is 10 min inland from the coast. The region of Versilia is mountainous with a coastal plain and includes Carrara in the north and Lucca in the south.
To give an idea of some of the interesting daytrips :
LUCCA is a 35 minute drive from Peralta and CARRARA and its marble quarries a 45 minute drive in the other direction.
TheCINQUE TERRE are one hour away - one can drive to La Spezia or PORTO VENERE and visit them by boat - the ferry service is frequent.
Shopping in the area (Lucca/Florence/Forte dei Marmi) is legendary! There is a well known market for clothes in FORTE DEI MARMI every Wednesday morning where people hunt for bargains. The town is also a mecca for designer shopping.
The sculptors' town of PIETRASANTA is only 20 min away from Peralta and has a wonderful square with lots of cafes from which to watch the evening passiagata, also a large choice of restaurants. In the summer evenings the shops and galleries remain open until past midnight. This town is very popular for evenings.
Peralta is ideally situated for the PUCCINI OPERA FESTIVAL (40 min away). This is an open air opera Festival, celebrating different works of Puccini each year and taking place in July and August at TORRE DEL LAGO.
The A12/A11 autoroute exit is just 20 minutes away, making day trips to Siena (2 h), Florence (one and half hours), Pisa, the Garfagnana, the Lunigiana, etc all very easy.
You can drive into the Carrara mountains - or go to the beach - the closest is Viareggio, the most popular Forte dei Marmi (35 min or so).

We have a mountain of information and suggestions for our guests, including directions for walks, when and where local markets happen, brocante markets,' must visit' places and restaurants, our favourite mountain drive, etc

Peralta feels wonderfully remote and secluded and yet is, in fact, very accessible.
In the daytime, there is always someone on site to help with all inquiries regarding day trips, ferry times, advice on this and that.
ACCESS:
The road leading from Pieve di Camaiore to Peralta is a small road, with the last 200 meters being narrow and steep with 2 deep corners. We recommend a smallish car for this reason. However, families arriving with large cars can park them prior to this last bit of road and we will come and fetch the luggage.
The road ends in Peralta's carpark from where there is a short walk along a wide track to the hamlet itself. This is one of the wonderful advantages to Peralta - no noisy cars or scooters. Our privacy is maintained by our access road.
We have a 3 wheel vehicle to take luggage and/or shopping from your car.

Location Type Away from it all, Rural

Rental fees

What Past Guests Are Saying

• Fiona
  Stockbridge

  A Tuscan Delight

  Left on 04/11/2013 for a stay in October 2012
  
  

  We stayed at Peralta (Tuscany, Italy) last October and were very impressed with our apartment (Studiolo) which gave us fantastic views over the valley to the sea beyond and was extremely comfortable with a small but well equipped kitchen area. Peralta is well worth a visit (only about 20 minutes from the motorway) to enjoy its atmosphere of peace and tranquility, well away from noise and bustle of everyday life. We felt greatly restored after our holiday and are only too pleased to recommend it to others .

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  Would you recommend this vacation rental to a friend? Yes

  Recommended for: Romantic

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