I want your help in planning my next trip

With 12-20 full days you could spend 3-4 nights in 5 different places! That would be a great trip! Since we're in the brainstorming phase here are some other possibilities: Fly into Milan and home from Rome. Spend time in Verona Bologna and Florence. Rent a car near Florence for a few days to travel around Tuscany. Then, train to Orvieto and on to Rome. Fly round-trip to Rome. Train to Orvieto for 3 nights. Back to Rome for 3-4 nights. Then, fly from Rome to Trapani in Sicily and travel the western coast of Sicily. Back to Rome and home.

Exploring Materia and environs while staying in a cave room at Sextantio Le Grotte della Civita.

Sorrento, Positano and Amalfi is area called Amalfi coast, worth 3-4 days. Sorrento is probably the best base, can go down to Positano, Ravello for day trips and also to Pompeii from there.

February is in the rainy season, so there will be a possibility of cold rainy days and big storms, as well as beautiful mild sunny days. For a trip to the points you mentioned that are south of Rome. I would do Rome first, and then play it by ear, depending on the weekly weather forecast. I doubt that the hotels would be fully booked down there. Sorrento and (around the corner) the Amalfi Coast provide spectacular scenery, particularly Ravello; but, during a long stretch of rainy days, there would be little to do except to visit the wonderful museum in Naples, but that would be a one day event. North of Rome, Florence's museums and churches would be perfect for art and architecture during a rainy stretch. Lucca is an easy and worthy day trip from Florence on a sunny day. If you like scenery, and since you will be there in winter, why not one of the lakes or for spectacular snowy scenery for a couple days? You could tie that to Florence and maybe to Venice (art, museums, architecture). Even in the winter advance booking may be prudent for all the places I mentioned that are north of Rome. During winter, there could be periods of heavy fog on the roadways; and, the further north you drive, the more likely that snow will become. But, you will not need or want a car in Rome, Naples, Sorrento and Florence, or the Lakes - all are easy to reach by train.

Do you have RS Rome or Italy Guide Books yet? If so, good.
If not, you should get either or both as they have lots of good information to help you in your planning.

Venice~ Carnevale~ Feb. 14-21... it is a perfvect time to be in Venice. It is the most magical, mystical experience I have ever had in Venice. Spent a week there a few years ago during Carnevale and it was such a unique experience that most tourists never have. Venetians wander the streets in amazing costumes, balls are happening every night, the who's who (or wannabes) pay $1000 for special tables at the Florian. St. Marks square is filled every night with music. But, the best time is just before sunrise to go down by the Grand Canal or St. Marks and wait for the costumed Venetians to arrive and pose for photographs. The mist, and fog and the beautiful blue light of Venice is captivating. I am longing to go again, even tho after I left I said I loved it, but did not need to do that again...somehow it calls to you. (I am a photographer so I got up early every morning for the spectacle)

Thanks for the replies. A lot to consider. As Otariidae points out, my biggest concern is planning a trip that won't turn into a disaster if the weather's lousy. Venice is out - not good weatherwise plus it's likely to be Carnevale time and I've been to most of the indoor sights once or twice. Sicily is also probably out - though it is high on my list, I've been told that much of it closes down in the winter. Thanks for the heads-up about foggy roads. I'm happy to wait for a shoulder-season trip to do that. Is there enough to do in Orvieto for 3 days, especially if it's rainy? I see your point about leaving the Amalfi coast to the last minute. Anyone have ideas about a back-up plan if the weather's not good? I definitely want to see Pompeii on this trip. Would I see much the same thing if I went to Pompeii and to Herculaneum? Last year in February I was able to get a very good room in Florence for €50 and in Rome for €60. I would hate to end up spending almost twice that for last-minute rooms in either place. I have the RS Italy 2006 book. What little there is south of Rome is Naples to Amalfi. And for some odd reason, none of the guide books give the help I need Otaniidae – tell me a bit more about the lakes. I do like the idea of snow-covered mountains reflected in a clear blue lake. Which ones might work out for me?

Thanks, Terry Kathryn. I was there last year for the start of Carnevale. Yes, it was wonderful and yes, I want to go back and see it again, but not this trip. I do wish I'd known about going to the Piazza early in the morning. Next time. . . .

Lake Garda My plan, that I have yet to do, but I hope that you can scout it :) is: From Venice (or wherever it does not matter) train to Peschiera del Garda http://www.visitgarda.com/en/getting-to-lake-garda-train/.. Ferry (or bus) to Malcesine. http://www.italyheaven.co.uk/veneto/malcesine.html http://www.360gardalife.com/en/malcesine/how-to-reach/ Cable car up to play in the snow and take photos of the views on Monte Baldo, a short ride up. http://www.visitgarda.com/en/malcesine-monte-baldo-cable-car/ Ferry to various lake sites to hang around, lunch, people watch and be on a boat on the lake. At lake level, it's winter but it's not brutal
http://www.holidaycheck.com/climate-wetter_Lake+Garda-ebene_rid-id_220.html

Rain out plan. It would take a hurricane to keep me out of Pompeii. Rainy, drizzly, foggy Pompeii could be a cool photo-op. And I would love to see rain water flow down the streets in the chariot wheel stone channels as designed by the Roman sewage engineers. Anyway, Pompeii has little shelter so you will need Gortex in the rain. Not a big deal for me. Assuming that in Rome you get a dismal but not prohibitive forecast, I would do a one night Naples expedition. Arrive in the morning on the early fast train (assuming that in winter there is one), check into a hotel, take the ½ hour train to the ruins. FYI winter daylight hours reduce the open hours at the ruins – they have a website. A night of pizza and gelato in Naples. If the sun comes out, re-book and take the ferry to Sorrento for a day trip. Otherwise depart Naples for ...Termini or wherever.

Two nights might be enough for Orvieto in February but if you needed a place to "take a break from your vacation" this might be the place. Nice restaurants, a good archaeological museum with Etruscan artifacts, and a beautiful cathedral.

Otari - a quick internet check and I found out that the ferry on Lake Garda doesn't operate in February and that if the weather is bad, there is little if anything to do there.