Italy in February - got some ideas for me????
 

Surprise trip for my husband's birthday: any helpful ideas would be very appreciated.
I'm thinking we're flying into Naples and spending the most part of 5 days going to Mt. Vesuvius, driving the Amalfi Coast, and... (this is where you come in)
Then onto a train to Rome for 2 days before we fly back home to NY. I figure you have to go to Rome, although it's not the part I'm looking forward to the most.
We'll leave on a Friday night and be home the next Saturday so there's not a lot of time. We have two young teenagers (and my lucky daughter is taking Italian in school) so it's got to be something they would enjoy, too. They are great travelers and very mature so I think we'll be good. My husband has been and wants to show them Mt. Vesuvius and Pompeii some day so this will be perfect.
Just started researching so I need ideas.
Thanks for your help -

It snowed in February this year all over Italy, including once in the latter part of the month. For such a short trip, planning non-city and coastal destinations, you are taking a huge risk that you will be surprised by very bad weather, and even immobilized by it. There is little to do indoors in the places you've mentioned, except for Napoli. At that time of year, the daylight hours are very short.

Clocks get turned to summer hours in late March in italy. The weather is reliably without ice after the 1st of April, although you could get rain and lots of mist obscuring views. After April 15, it can be glorious, and not too hot to walk all over Pompeii. Boat rides along the Amalfi are considerably choppier in Spring, and smooth out in May.

You see where I'm going with this. How about giving your husband an envelope with the tickets for later in the year -- which would also give him a hand in the planning -- ?

Very good suggestion Zeppole. I agree with you totally. We have been to Italy in the summer and loved those long days with the cooler evenings.

For us Europeans, it is always a problem to find a travel destination when we have to travel in February. Winter sports is one option, otherwise we fly to Egypt, the Canaries, North Africa or to North America - southern Arizona is wonderful in February.

If you HAVE to go to Italy in February:

Zeppole has told you what to expect climatewise. This year had been exceptionally cold but odds are high that it will be cold, dreary and rainy next February - certainly no weather for coastal sightseeing. Vesuvius might be in clouds for the whole time of your trip. And odds are high that the mountain will be closed due to snow or fog. On the Amalfi Coast, two thirds of the hotels or restaurants will be closed in February. The area will be pretty deserted. In southern Italy, many hotels are not properly heated in winter.

Hence, think about your destination. February might be a good time for museums and other indoor activities. This speaks for Rome or Tuscany (with a large city like Florence as a base) or for Venice.

Another option might be Sicily. It will be a little warmer there (daily highs up to 60°F) and less rainy (10 days with precipation per month). The almond trees will be in bloom. Mount Etna will be covered with snow, of course, and the skilifts will be operating.
http://www.bestofsicily.com/weather.htm

You won't have the crowds that's for certain. Tour schedules may be curtailed if not cancelled that time of year so do check online. Be sure to see the archeological museum in Naples along with your trip to Pompeii-much to see in both places and one completes the other, I think.

I'd add more time to Rome and take some from Naples area but that's just me. Seeing the map room in Vatican Museum was even more interesting after visiting Pompeii. You can spend a day at St. Peters and Vatican Museum. Roman ruins and area-another day. Pantheon area yet another with lunch or dinner in Piazza Navona area. If you like art, Borghese Museum would need to go on the list.

Were you planning on Naples as your base? Also, are you driving? I'd hire a driver for Almafi Coast-that way everyone can look at the scenery. The town of Amalfi is sweet and easily walkable for a day trip if weather permits.

As noted, you could run into bad weather in the south. I have been to Rome twice in February (3rd week in Feb). Last year, it was not that cold, but there was a very strong wind which made it very cold. It was a little warmer at the end of the week. The year before, it was much warmer. In the afternoon, I could take my jacket off when I was out in the sun. Cooled off considerably at night. Rome is wonderful no matter when you go, but I would go later in the year for the Amalfi Coast.

Okay - thanks everyone. I am back to Roatan, Honduras. Snorkeling would be the way to go for us. We'll keep Italy off until we've got a few weeks and warmer weather.
Thanks for all of the advice. Know anything about Roatan - jump on that forum for me. Never even heard of it until recently!!!
DD