Help traveling Umbria and Tuscany or Lake Garde Early March

Never a good idea to drive after a long over nite flight
Take the train, get car next day

Make sure you do your homework about driving in Italy
All drivers must have an IDP

I suggest you spend the night in the seaside town of Fiumicino, a room at the Hotel Tiber on the waterfront; car in the am, about a 3 hour drive. Since you have a car, why not explore Tuscany?

https://www.wanderingitaly.com/maps/valdorcia.html

Read this about driving in Italy and restrictions involved [ZTLs]; avoid leaving anything of value in a vehicle when parked:

http://driventoit.blogspot.com/

The alternative would be 3 trains from FCO to Perugia and a 25 minute drive--an awful amount of effort after the long flight.

I'm revising my advice. Three trains to Perugia and a car is way too much effort. Spend the night in Fiumicino, a pretty seaside town.

The direct Sulga bus to Perugia departs from the airport at 14:30 (assuming it survived Covid).

Otherwise, You can train from FCO to Perugia with only one change at Termini station, it depends on your scheduled landing time in Rome.

Both options would let you spend the first night in Perugia. You could visit the city with your daughter on the next morning and then get the rental car.

The Garda Lake is so far from Perugia, by train it takes 5 hours and 30' to Peschiera... If you really want to see a lake on the other end of the booth, why not the Como Lake? It's nicer and there is a train station at Varenna. Or... What about the Bracciano Lake? It's smaller and less famous, but it's close!

At the time of your trip you may encounter some cold weather. I would tilt toward places that have indoor options, just in case. Many towns in Umbria and in Tuscany fit the bill. What do you and she like?
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Thank you for your responses. I think we are going to try to take the train from airport to Termini then one transfer in order to get to Perugia Friday night. Ends up a 4 hour trip. Very long day of travel, but a beautiful destination to rest upon arrival.

We are still very interested in Garde Lake. The multiple activities like walking on the promenade between Lazise/ Bardilono, wine tasting tour by bike, Zeni wine, Michelin restaurants and/or possible day in Verona on east side of lake for two nights sounds amazing. Then two nights on West side same interests, but different perspective. Problem; transport from Perugia to Lazise/ Bardalino. Could we make it a beautiful day of driving the 4 hours? Perhaps making stops along the way?

Thank you again for your responses. Any advice welcome.

rent a car at Rome airport and drive to estate somewhat jet lagged after 17 hr trip?

Please don't do this. It is dangerous to yourself and to the other drivers and passengers on the road.

Don't forget that in addition to the 17-hour trip, your body will also be feeling the effects of a six-to-nine-hour time difference (assuming you are from the continental U.S. or Canada; more if you are from Alaska or Hawaii).

Also, you may want to look further south for your second stop. Outside activities are not likely to be very pleasant in the beginning of March that far north.

Lake Garda, Lake Como and Lake Maggiore are not near where you are staying in Umbria. This will be in late winter, early spring. I love all three lakes but would skip them at this time of year.
Perhaps staying in Florence for a few days as weather is not as much a factor in a city.