I did hike the cinque terre. It was in March and we only past 2 small groups! My sister and I didn't want to leave. Even the community of cats seemed special up there.We almost missed the last train back to Lucca. Had to run down all those steps!! I am definitely taking my friends this trip. Will research Elba more. Seems to be back on the list! I will check out those links after my first Italian lesson. Wish me luck

One of the niftiest things we did when we were in Tuscany was vising the tiny town of Vinci (as in Leonardo da). You can see the house where his family lived and there is a museum where they have built all the fantastical things he designed. I don't know anyone else who has gone there but we loved it.