Together
VRBO is part of the HomeAway family, the world leader in vacation rentals with over 1 million listings. We offer the largest selection of properties for any travel occasion and every budget. We’re committed to helping families and friends find a perfect vacation rental to create unforgettable travel experiences together.
House with marvellous view set in olive groves on hillside, 25 mins from coast
| Sleeps | 8 |
| Bedrooms | 4 |
| Bathrooms | 3 |
| Half Baths | 1 |
| Property type | house |
| Minimum Stay | 4 - 5 nights |
Overview
4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, part of a unique medieval hamlet restored by a sculptor
This lovely old Tuscan house is surrounded by terraces of olive groves and sits, on the hillside, just above the beautiful, medieval hamlet of Peralta which was uniquely restored by an international sculptor. (Her sculptures can be seen throughout the hamlet). The view from the house and its large terrace is stunning. You look over the roof tops of Peralta and the valley below towards the hills, and the sea that lies beyond them. Facing south, and with this panoramic view, you can bask in the sun or read and snooze in the shade of a vine. The dining table on the terrace is covered by a vine, offering welcome shade. The house has three floors - the 4 bedrooms are spacious and comfortable, all with views. Two bedrooms (first floor) have ensuite bathrooms and the two bedrooms on the top floor share a bathroom. The ground floor comprises a large kitchen with dining area, comfortable living room, a second living room, a washroom.The swimming pool (shared) lies on a terrace above the house. In the photo of the hamlet below, Casa Luigi is the house situated at top of photo. A calm, away from it all, very unique and inspiring location yet within easy reach of the coast, Lucca, Florence, Cinque Terre, etc. A haven of peace where one is delighted to return after a day’s sightseeing.
The hamlet of Peralta: The beautiful peaceful hamlet of Peralta has a spectacular setting in the Tuscan hills that rise high above the valley of Camaiore. It was restored with great love and imagination by international sculptor Fiore de Henriquez. She created a place that is quite unique. Peralta was her 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. 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. . 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.
Surrounding area: 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 to a delightful restaurant in an adjoining village, to three hours up to the peak of the Mount Prana above Peralta.
In the daytime, there is always someone at hand in the hamlet to help with any questions, give directions to places of interest, lend a map, deal with minor repairs, collect luggage with our tri-porter vehicle (Ape), etc.
A local cook comes to Peralta each day and is very happy to provide pre-ordered meals to be heated up in the house. This is very popular with our guests as, aside from the fact that her cooking is delicious and typically Tuscan, it enables you to come back from a day's sightseeing and not have to think about cooking, nor going to the expense of eating out, but just to relax on your terrace and enjoy a delicious glass of wine while your meal heats up in your oven!
Why Kate or Dinah chose Lucca Province
International sculptor Fiore de Henriquez was living in the area of Camaiore from the 1960's due to its proximity to the Carrara marble quarries and the bronze foundries of nearby Pietrasanta. In the 1970's she found the small hamlet of Peralta, perched on the hillside above Camaiore. It was remote, served only by a footpath, and the buildings were mainly in ruins - their inhabitants having left in the mid 1950's due to the hard living in the hills. No water nor electricity at this time. Fiore fell in love with the hamlet and managed to gradually buy the various houses. She then set about restoring them and the hamlet and created the very unique place that exists today. She died in 2004 and the hamlet was then taken over by a very good friend of her's who is the current owner. . Repairs and renovations are undertaken where necessary, but the essential essence of the hamlet remains the same as when Fiore was alive. It is the home of her archive and sculptures, which can be seen throughout the grounds and in the various accommodation, of which Casa Luigi is one.
What makes this house unique
It is hard to describe the absolute charm and beauty of Peralta and why I am so passionate about it. I now own it and am as much in love with it as Fiore before me. Every corner has its surprises, small details to delight the eye. The wisterias and bougainvilleas offer vibrant colour and essential shade. The views are wonderful, changing with the light, with the weather, with the season. Sunsets are magic. Early morning mist lying in the valley. The sight of Corsica on a clear day. The large bronze sculpture of 'The Phoenix' on the main terrace about to fly off over the valley. Fiore used to say it signifies 'Peralta rising from the ashes'. The many sculptures Fiore left for visitors to enjoy on the terraces. Her private gallery which I love to show to guests and one evening a week, at aperitivo time, I invite any guests staying at Peralta to a viewing of the gallery and Fiore's original house I hope many visitors will find their way to Peralta and enjoy it as much I do ......... possibly even fall in love with it! Dinah Voisin
Guestbook comments from the manager
We have stayed in Peralta two times. First time three years ago with a baby girl aged one and a girl aged 12. We lived in La Foresteria, which is a very charming and special house with two terraces. There is a lot of space for one family here. One nice pergola outside the kitchen area, where we had all our meals and one balcony on the first floor with a view we have not found any other place in Tuscany. And we have been in the region seven times. It is just magical and you feel like beiing on the top of the world when you relax and enjoy the sundown while sipping on a glas of rosso. You actually look down at the fireworks in the valley from this balcony! This year we travelled with my brothers family. They have two boys aged 11 and 14. The eleven year old simply said: "this is the most fantastic place I ever have been to,I want to come back thousand of times". All the children fell in love with Peralta, also thanks to the dogs Elly and Frankie, which came to the house every day and played with the children.We stayed in Casa Luigi. The antique house has four big bedrooms, living room, library, three bathrooms and a laundry room. The kitchen is perfectly located on the ground floor and you have an amazing view while you are cooking. The location almost makes it fun to wash the dishes... (there is a dishwasher as well). There is plenty of space in front of the house and we spent every evening on this terrace. We loved Casa Luigi and it is an excellent house for family holidays. We have to mention the svimming pool. It is situated on the top, above the hamlet, and has the most spectacular location I have experienced for any swimming pool. It is not big, but the area and sourroundings makes it unique. If you are seeking a holiday away from it all, but at the same time close to the beaches and towns and sights, this is the place. You will never forget it. Thanks a lot to the staff for great hospitality and Laura who made such wonderful meals for us during our stay.
Amenities
Camaiore House Accommodation and Amenities
- house (detached)
- Guests provide their own meals
- Check-in: 4:00 PM /
- Check-out: 10:00 AM
- Max. occupancy: 8
- Max. adults: 8
- Min. age of primary renter: 3
- Parties/events not allowed
- Near The Ocean
- Rural
- Away From It All
- Family
- Computer Available
- Fireplace
- Firewood
- Hair Dryer
- Internet
- Iron & Board
- Linens Provided
- Living Room
- Local Activities Guide
- Local Restaurant Guide
- Parking
- Telephone
- Towels Provided
- Washing Machine
- Wireless Internet
- 4 Ring Stove
- Coffee Maker
- Cooking Utensils
- Dishwasher
- Freezer
- Microwave
- Oven
- Refrigerator
- Stove
- Child's Highchair
- Dining Room
- seating for 8 people
- 3 Bathrooms,
- 1 Half Bath
-
Bathroom -
toilet
Bathroom - toilet , shower
Bathroom - toilet , shower
Bathroom - toilet , shower
- Abundant supply of hot water in all bathrooms (solar powered with electric backup). Tank of 300 litres so you don't have to worry about hot water running short! The two double bedrooms have ensuite bathrooms. The two twin (or double) bedrooms share a bathroom.
- 4 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8
-
Bedroom -
1 king
Bedroom - 1 king
Bedroom - 2 twin/ single
Bedroom - 2 twin/ single
- The two bedrooms that have 2 single beds in each room can also be made up as doubles.
- Books
- CD Player
- DVD Player
- Television
- Deck / Patio
- Lawn / Garden
- Outdoor Grill
- Terrace
- Long-term Renters Welcome
- unsuitable for elderly or infirm
- wheelchair inaccessible
- Communal Pool
- Outdoor Pool
- horseback riding
- walking
- fishing
- golf
- tennis
Reviews
Wonderful!
4.8/5 -
(16 traveler reviews)
Relaxingly away from it all yet near everything!
A relaxed, inspiring atmosphere with a stunning view where you can either keep to yourself or be amongst the fabulous Tuscan world while feeling like you are in Italy proper, not just a tourist.
The relaxed but highly organised and knowledgable Kate was available for anything we needed. Our villa, Casa Luigi, had plenty of space, was perfectly clean and had just the right amount of mod cons to be rustic but practical.
The teenagers loved the wifi terraces and swimming pool and the sense of satisfaction at completing the beautiful walk up or down to the car, restaurants etc.
The beautiful quality and impressive quantity of Fiore de Henrique's works scattered around enhanced the inspiring atmosphere which considering the view was a surprisingly pleasant added joy.
The nearest restaurants were equally relaxed and provided delicious local food; our favourite was C'era Una Volta from which they willingly provided us lifts back up to Peralta.
Visits to Pisa, Florence, Lucca and the beach at Viareggio were not only highly recommended but also easily manageable.
Teenagers and adults got so much from this change from our everyday lives.
We hope to be back with the rest of our brood soon!
Stunning location!
Enjoyed every minute of our holiday here. The house had everything we needed for a family of 5 - including essential wifi down the hill for our 3 teens! The hilltop pool was a real bonus - felt like swimming on top of the world every evening, with the sun going down, turning the sea and sky golden.
Kate and Lee were so friendly and helpful when needed for any questions or practical help but also melted into the background and worked away behind the scenes the rest of the time.
Peralta is such a fabulous, peaceful hideaway and yet close enough to explore towns and cities - Lucca is a real gem, then of course Pisa and Florence are fabulous too. The lake in the national park is well worth the trip too, especially the boardwalk trail from Massaciuccoli, where we were delighted with 3 new bird species!
Eating out was a great experience too, from the corner pizzeria down the hill, to the many and varied options in the cities. Don't forget to try out the amazing ice-cream shops too!
The corner shop down the hill stocks all essentials including fresh bread in the mornings and is worth the visit just for the parmesan grating machine and the lovely shopkeeper of endless patience and smiles who clearly appreciates the extra business, even is she has to mime for it!
The walk from the car park to the house was an enjoyable addition to our daily routine and on the last day our early start was made all the more pleasant with the addition of a few shooting stars!
We hope we will be back!
The Coburn Family from Scotland
wonderful !
Peralta is a place you'll find it very difficult not to fall in love with - not least the house 'Casa Luigi' we rented and shared with our friends this time. 4 adults, 4 children, plenty of space and a wonderful terrace overlooking the hills and valleys of Tuscany.
There's a vibe to Peralta that we haven't found anywhere else. Maybe it's Kate and Dinah and their numerous friends who run the place, maybe it's the art of Flores de Hernandez that meets your eye no matter where you go - or maybe it's the good old concept of trust and headspace. (just leave a note if you borrow a bottle of wine from the bar at the main terrace in this little village)... Ah, the peace and quietness of this place, the fresh air of the mountains, the breathtaking views..I can us all returning year after year, This really is a place like nowhere else.
Magical
Peralta has everything that one would expect of a vacation in Tuscany and more. The views of the rolling hills and the misty ocean make you feel as if you have stepped into a painting. The accommodations are charming and the staff is very hospitable. In my opinion, the statues by Fiore de Henriquez, which are dotted throughout the property, make this location unique and unforgettable. One great advantage of the hillside location is that it is a few degrees cooler than the lowland which is wonderful at the end of a hot day sightseeing. Peralta is a magical and peaceful vacation destination.
Honeymoon stay
We stayed in several places as part of our Honeymoon across France and Italy. The moment we stepped foot in Peralta, we felt instantly more relaxed than any other place we had been. It is laid out across a hillside and each little home you can stay in are beautifully decorated. There is a pool at the top of Peralta which has one of the best views I've ever seen. We could have sat up there reading books all day. It was in the mid thirties when we were there but the breeze keeps you perfectly cool.
We basically don't have a single complaint about the place. You really just have to go there to understand. It has a blend of italian artistry and rustic comfort. We wouldn't hesitate to go back.
The owner Dina, is a wonderful character and all her staff are very welcoming. Peralta is one of those very special places that is off the beaten track of a normal holiday destination and the perfect place to either do nothing or use as a base to explore the wonderful region of Tuscany.
Ben & Jess
Breathtaking Views, off the beaten track
I celebrated my 60th birthday at Casa Luigi with 5 girlfriends and I would recommend this lovely villa to anybody who appreciates the natural beauty of Tuscany. The weather was perfect, Dinah, the owner, Kate the Manager and Stephen the Go to Guy were very accommodating and gave us lots of tips and recommendations for making this trip memorable and one we will all never forget. As previous reviewers mentioned it is not the easiest place to get to but you will be glad of that once you get there. Peralta is a little piece of heaven that you don't need to share with a lot of people, It is like having your own Holiday Home. We had several meals prepared by Laura which were as good as any meal we had at a local restaurant. The view from Casa Luigi is magical and to wake up to it every morning and to go sleep to it every night will remain a memory we will never forget. We were close to the ocean, mountains and had fabulous shopping in Lucca, Florence, Forti Dei Marmi, and Portevenero as well as seeing the leaning Tower of Pisa and the amazing museums in Florence. We stayed for 2 weeks but could have stayed for a month and still not have seen everything on our list of things to do.
I cannot finish this review without mentioning Ellie the resident dog. I am a dog lover and have 3 dogs and by having Ellie around made this trip extra special. She is a wonderful mascot for Peralta and will welcome you to her home with a twinkle in her eye and a tennis ball in her mouth ready for a game of fetch!
Map
Peralta is a hillside hamlet situated in the northern part of Tuscany, on the slopes of the Alpi Apuane (national park), 10 minutes from the market town of Camaiore which, in turn, is 10 minutes inland from the coast Lucca is a 35 minute drive to the south. Motorway exit is 20 mins, making day trips easy: Siena (2 hrs), Carrara & its marble mines (45 mins). You can drive into the Carrara mountains - or go to the beach - the closest is Viareggio, the most popular Forte dei Marmi (35 mins). The Cinque 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! The sculptors' town of Pietrasanta is only 20 minutes away. Peralta is Ideally situated for the Puccini Festival (40 minutes away). - open air opera Festival taking place in July and August at Torre del Lago. Airports: Pisa 45 mins - Florence 1 hr. Genoa 1 hr.40mins - Bologna 2hrs
Photos
Rates & Availability
- Available
- Unavailable
Additional information about rental rates
| Cleaning Fee | $87.96 |
| Pet Fee | $23.45 |
We ask for a damage deposit when you arrive at the house. This should be made in cash and will be returned when you leave, providing the house is in good order.
Manager's Cancellation Policy
- 50% refund if canceled at least 30 days before arrival date.
- 100% refund if canceled at least 60 days before arrival date.
Request to Book