Suggestions for Venice-

http://www.locanda-sanbarnaba.com/default.htm

http://www.casarezzonico.it/

http://www.pensioneaccademia.it/

http://www.alpontemocenigo.com/en/rooms.htm

http://www.caangeli.it/eng/caangeli.html

Suggestions for southern Tuscany-

http://www.fontebertusi.it/eng/

http://www.santamariapienza.it/index.php?lang=ing

http://www.agriturismocasalpiano.it/index.html

http://www.cretaiole.it/index.en.php
(Excellent location)

http://www.cretedisiena.com/Casa_Picchiata/english.htm
(Excellent location)

http://www.terredinano.com/pages_eng/prezzi_agriturismo_toscana.aspx

http://www.lafonte.toscana.it/2006/ita/
(Excellent location)

http://www.agriturismosangallo.com/ENG/home.html

http://www.tobruk.it/agriturismo.php?lingua=en
(Incredible views and a beautiful property)

http://www.casafrati.toscana.nu/
(Well priced)

http://www.lupaia.com/location.html
(A beautiful B&B located in the valley below Montepulciano)

http://www.lafoce.com/
(Beautiful apartments/houses/villa/property- very special)

http://www.lacasadiadelina.com/index.php?page=default&id=9&lang=en
(A small, lovely B&B located within the small, lovely town of Monticchiello)

http://www.lemaribelle.it/intro.en.php
(3 apartments located in Monticchiello)

If none of the above works for you, consider searching these two websites-

http://www.cretedisiena.com/english/

http://www.vrbo.com/vacation-rentals/europe/italy/tuscany/valdorcia

I'm not a fan of multiple short stays (1- and 2-nights), so I would skip Verona/Vicenza and spend 3 nights at La Calcina. You could still take a day-trip to Verona or Vicenza, but you'd get to spend all 3 evenings in Venice.

You'll have to pick your Tuscany base carefully if you want to make day trips to both Assisi and Florence. And where else? As you consider your lodging options and all of your exploring plans, keep checking the driving distances/times.

Where would you go on Lake Como? Are you returning to Milan the night before your flight, or do you plan to drive to Malpensa the morning of your departure?

We have booked at Ca Maria Adele in Dorsoduro. It looks lovely and is one stop across the grand canal from St. Mark's Square. There is also a traghetto stop near there. It's not Danieli but looks to be very nice.... More of a boutique hotel. Happy hunting.

Thanks for all your help, I finally booked a room in Venice at Locanda San Barnaba, La Calcina was not willing to do 2 nights. And had almost settled on " A tribute to Music" when I started perusig the links you all send, somehow I ended up here. It had goos reviews on trip advisor, so Hopefully......
Have also settled ona small agritourismo near Certaldo, which LOOKS like it will be somewhat central to what we wish to do. Thanks God for Mappy!
Now to figure out what to do for a couple of days at the beginning. I am considering a small town, Bassano, and then at the end, I don't really want to wrap up in Milan even though we are flying out and will have to spend one night there.