The Cinque Terre is fantastic. We stayed at Vernazza and used it as a base for walking the trails. Then we went on to Florence and Sienna which are among are favourite places.
In Vernazza we hired a room which was basic but dirt cheap as there were no hotels to speak about.
So true, Pont. We are not into walking but we used to sit outside a little cafe in Monterosso where we were based and watch the "jolly walking types" head up the mountain trails. Brilliant!
A shameless plug for an acquaintance of ours who is taking B&B guests for the first time in his old converted farmhouse in Tuscany.