Have been researching this trip for awhile now. At first I was totally confused and slowly it all came together. I have Fodors book and Rick Steves' book but for lodging I used Karen Brown both Inns and the Bed and Breakfast book. (We have had much success with her recommendations for France and Ireland in the past) I concentrated on the B&B book and half board rates. I thought it might be a more enriching experience staying on farms, vineyards etc and sampling genuine home cooking (plus no driving around seeking restaurants!) Our itinerary first and then my questions:We are avoiding cities except Venice since we have never been there.
JFK to Rome. Rent car
1st night B&B Baschi (Umbria)
NIghts 2&3 Bettona (Umbria)
Nights 4,5 &6 Barberino Val d'Elsa
Nights 7&8 Levanto (Cinque Terre)
Nights 9&10 Varenna (Lake Como)
Nights 11 &12 Dolomites
Night 13 (Veneto 30 km outside Venice)
Nights 14 &15 Venice (Hotel Flora)
Fly home from Venice

We willl stay on vineyard in Tuscany but no meals --in little apartment so I am most interested in restaurant recs for that area. We were thinking big lunch and maybe picnic in our apartment.(A local woman will also cater to our apartment (reasonably) We will see a few museums but are not necessarily artistic enthusiasts. We just want a genuine relaxing true Italian experience. I guess my big question here is about a meal in Venice that Rick Steeves talks about but I have not seen mentioned. Some man and his wife put on a dinner each night for a group (I don't know how large) You have to call a day ahead to arrange, need a password to get into this place which is hard to find. Lots of crustaceans and wine--50 E pp. Is this place worth hunting down? Any feedback? Any suggestions? H

Good start--I have 2 comments.
Look at Locanda Rosati for your first nite--Karen likes it too.
Drop the one niter in Veneto and add it to either Venice or Varenna.
And, not a big deal, but there are better locations in Tuscany than Barberino. Have fun--you have done some good homework so far.

We picked Baschi because did not seem too far out from Rome airport after a LONG/short night over the pond!! Besides Pomurlo Vecchio seemed like a cool place to re-regulate the old inner time clock. It is on 370 acres with a good home cooked Umbrian dinner to boot. Any thoughts on that Venice place/?restaurant I mentioned that I saw in Rick Steeves?h

Reeder-
Regarding the "secret dinner" seen on Rick Steves, try going to the "graffiti wall" on his website. It is where the return travelers post their reviews. I remember reading something about a private dinner and I think it was a negative comment (sorry!) Go check it out though, my memory could be wrong!

Reeder-
Forgot to specify, the "Guidebook Feedback" section on the graffiti wall.

Thanks YK for the tip on the mystery dinner question. I did find the report you mentioned and even one person giving it such a bad writeup we will pass! It was helpful too as I read all the other enties and got some good ideas re: restaurants etc. Several highly recommended the "pub crawl" with Allessandro. We are in our late fifties and my husband is most capable of scoffing down a glass of wine or two. My question would this be an appropritate thing for us. What are your honest opinions about that. H