The Peralta is a complex of renovated, historic, Italian cottages high in the Apuan Alps. It has charm, character and fabulous views but our apartment was still well-equipped (wifi, aircon, parking, kitchenette, lounge chairs and dining table) and had two bedrooms with comfortable beds. It was remarkable value and the hosts Kate and Blaise were charming, helpful with fluent English. Blaise collected our bags from the parking area in their Piaggio, booked us a table at a local restaurant and because it was getting late arranged with Kate for her to bring us bread, butter, milk, croissant and home made marmalade in the morning for our breakfast. The local area is so pretty. The pool is high up above the apartments with fabulous views. It has been such a relaxing holiday!
The drive up the hill through narrow, twisting roads is not for the faint hearted but isn’t as bad as you may first think - you just have to drive at a steady but slowish pace and prepare for each turn (with a wide swing). We were upgraded to a larger car by our hire company which in hindsight wasn’t ideal but even this made it down the hill and safely back to the parking area every day. Top tip is to warn people you are approaching a switchback by using your horn.
The area is beautiful but even in late September it has been well over 30C every day, meaning our original plans to visit Florence were replaced by nearer places (Lucca, Pisa and San Gilignano amongst others). Thank you both for a marvellous stay!
