My first glimpse of Pereta was when I was 18. The family I was au-pairing for took me here to a friend’s pizzeria for dinner one night. I remember rounding a corner and seeing a cemetery just outside of Pereta and gasping at how beautiful it was. Each gravestone had a small light on it, making it look like it was filled with candles. It was really so beautiful. After eating pizza with the family, I went down to the graveyard by myself and walked around the eerily beautiful place, before I got scared (it was dark out and I was in a graveyard, ok) and started my way back to the pizzeria. Halfway back, the owner of the pizzeria, Franco, jumped out from behind a car in his full-white chef’s uniform and yelled “BOO!!” I jumped 5 feet off the ground and let out a good scream, to which Franco burst out laughing and looked pretty happy with himself. hahaha.

Because the pizzeria was just outside the walls of Pereta and it had been so dark, I had no idea it was so beautiful in the day time and didn’t return while I was au-pairing in the area. When I came back with my Dad, it was with the thought that I’d stay until it got dark to see the cemetery at night again since the mental picture of that had always stayed with me. So this time going to Pereta in the day and rounding that corner, I let out another gasp, not for the cemetery this time, but for the town itself. The first photo below is the view that greeted me. There was a heavy downpour when we first arrived and a beautiful heavy mist was circling in the valley below the town.  It looked like a beautiful little hamlet.

My Dad and I parked and walked toward the beautiful big archway entrance into the old part of Pereta. Some kids were playing soccer and my Dad jumped in and kicked the ball around for a minute. The kids got into it playing and laughing with him. That’s my Dad! : ) We were in heaven exploring this little town with so much character and equally interesting and nice inhabitants. We kept getting ahead of each other and calling the other to come look at a beautiful wall, doorway or street we had each found. We were so transfixed that we split up down different streets at one point but were too into what we were both seeing that we didn’t see each other again until an hour or two later. haha.

I came upon a cute little girl hula-hooping in bright pink slippers who asked me, “Cosa fai?” (What are you doing?). I told her I was taking photos and she grinned and asked to see. Then her friend came down the street and she happily ran over and grabbed her hand and skipped away. At that point, my Dad rounded a corner and we promptly had to show each other the spots the other had missed. By that point, our stomachs were growling so we went in search of the ristorante “Maria and Luciano,” we had heard was amazing. Unfortunately it was so amazing that it was all booked up for the night. haha- Next time I’ll make a reservation!

Despite our rumbling tummies and the other restaurants we tried being booked up due to the holiday weekend, we didn’t want to leave this little gem of a town. We lingered a little longer and I saw the cute little hula hoop girl  running around laughing with friends, handing out flyers for some festivities happening in Pereta that weekend. Walking back to the car, I saw someone walking their dog, the dog walking up on top of the low lying wall leaving the town, while the owner walked beside. The owner stepped away for a second and I snapped a picture. Due to our starving stomachs, we didn’t get to stay in Pereta till it was dark to see if the cemetery still lights up. When we drove by, the gates were closed and there was a sign that seemed to say you needed an appointment (that’s what I gathered anyways) so I wonder if it still lights up at night. I hope so. It’s always nice to leave a place wanting more though and I’ll definitely return to Pereta again.

Follow the link to check out our other day trip while staying in Montiano, to the stunning towns of Sorano and Pitigliano. You can also take a stroll through all my Italy adventures here.