The beautiful hamlet of Peralta is set in the Tuscan hills that rise high above the valley of Camaiore, behind Viareggio and Forte dei Marmi on the coast.

It was restored over a period of thirty years with great love and imagination by international sculptor Fiore de Henriquez (her work is all over the hamlet). Fiore lived and worked in Peralta until her death in June 2004.

Peralta is not just a collection of houses and apartments for holiday lets. It is a place that inspires, seduces, has a special atmosphere. Fiore first found Peralta in 1967 and she immediately was inspired by the little group of houses with medieval origins, abandoned by their owners some ten years previously and in various states of ruin ­ no roofs, no windows. She knew she wanted to restore the little hamlet and she went about this in the same manner that she made her sculpture, building up, taking away, adding, moulding.

The result of Fiore’s work is an inspired creation and one feels this special atmosphere immediately upon arriving. It is not a place for people seeking accommodation where everything always works perfectly, but for people seeking tranquillity, beauty and an indefinable notion of being somewhere out of the ordinary.

With stunning views over the valley to the hills and sea beyond, and surrounded by olive groves, its stone walls covered with purple bougainvilleas, lemon trees, jasmin, Peralta seems like a small paradise. There is a swimming pool with a panoramic view over the valley - also a large terrace in the front of Peralta, where it is lovely to sit and enjoy the views, the sunsets and meet other guests. There are lovely walks through the hills, dense with chestnut trees, and wild flowers in the spring, shaded terraces waiting to welcome you, local food and wine to indulge the taste buds.