I actually worked in peralta in 1989, when it was being run by a couple from london. I worked there (running the tiny bar) for five months and left with very fond memories. Fourteen years later i decided to take my fiancee back to see how it had changed in that time. It was fantastic. The original hamlet was converted into individual rooms/villas by Fiore de Henriques, a famous sculptress, whose pieces abound throughout the resort. There are double rooms, plus various buildings dotted around a hillside which can sleep from 2 to 8 people. We stayed in Casa Luigi (i think), which was fabulous. A large kitchen/ dining room, a huge lounge studded with pictures and sculpture, with a magnificent sunken fireplace at one end. This opened out onto a terrace with a table for al fresco dining, and views over the whole valley.... absolutely breath-taking.
Upstairs a beautifully decorated double bedroom and en-suite bathroom was the perfect place to lie and watch the occasional thunderstorm roll in whilst sipping a cold glass of champagne.
I would definitely recommend hiring a car whilst staying there (quite a hair-raising drive up the hill), as the restaurant in peralta only opens on certain nights, but the proximity of fabulous, cheap, authentically tuscan eating holes abound.
Add to this mix a small swimming pool and lounging area, plus the nearby attractions of lucca and sienna, and you have a near perfect holiday. So much so that i accidentally proposed to my now wife when we were there, completely overcome by feelings of love for all humanity. Wonderful place indeed....

My boyfriend and I stayed in a restored hamlet, Peralta (north of Pisa, Tuscany) in June 2004. It is tucked away up on the side of a very steep hill and has breath-taking views down the valley to the sea. The accomodation is owned by a famous Italian sculptor who renovated the deserted buildings 30 years ago. There are small & large appartments for two to five people, individual self catering houses and they also do B&B. The buildings are original with terracotta floors, simple rustic furnishings, modern bathrooms and many paintings and sculptures inside and out. They are set among olive and lemon groves and boast a small but very clean pool shared with the other guests. They make dinner once a week, have drinks in the artist's studio and have a "honesty" bar with terrace for those who wish to socialise. Day trips to Lucca, Florence, Chianti, Siena, Pisa, and the beach at Fortei dei Marmi are easy with a car. I can honestly say it is the most special place we have ever stayed - though the drive up the hill, with it's switchbacks and narrowness is daunting at first, it becomes a challenge to be overcome, with the reward of sitting on the terrace with a glass of local wine, watching the sun setting over the hills. Pure magic. www.peraltatuscany.com