Driving

Why don't you take the train?

I agree with Sam. Why not take the train. Here's one suggestion......

• Depart Firenze SM Novella at 08:28, arrive Chiavari at 11:11 (time 2H:43M, 1 change at Pisa Centrale, current one-way fares as low as €29.50 PP).
• Return Departure from Chiavari at 18:36, arriving Firenze SMN at 21:32 (time 2H:56M, 1 change at Pisa Centrale).

That would allow most of a day in Chiavari, and it will likely be a much more relaxing and pleasant trip. Driving will be more of a hassle (IMO) as each driver will require the compulsory International Driver's Permit, which is used in conjunction with your home D.L. You'll also need to be vigilant to avoid the ZTL (limited traffic) areas that are prevalent in many towns, especially Florence. Passing through one of these areas even by mistake will result in hefty fines, which you may not be aware of until several months after you return home.

I should add that there are also some potentially expensive "caveats" with rail travel, so you'll need to be aware of those also. If you need more information, post another note.

If you do decide to drive, in answer to your question, yes, you can rent for a day. You need an international driver's permit, which you get at AAA for about $15 plus the cost of them taking passport type pics for the license.you also need to take your US license along. You should plan to get comprehensive insurance for the car, rather than trusting that the insurance from your credit card will cover.

what about taking the train to pisa and then renting vespa's
we could ride out to chiavari then work our way back
if we rent a vespa do we need the special driver liscense?

"if we rent a vespa do we need the special driver liscense?"

In a word, Yes! You will be driving.

Unless you have a motorcyle license, you'll only be able to rent limited speed Vespa's, and I'm not sure if that's a good idea. Hopefully Roberto or one of the others can weigh in on that idea.

Why not take a train and watch Roman Holiday on your iPad?

Without a motorcycle driver's license you can rent only a Vespa125cc. With a 125cc you cannot drive on freeways, only regular highways. From Pisa to Chiavari it's a 3 to 4 hour trip on the SS1. If you leave from Florence it's about 6 hours each way using regular roads. I'm also assuming your husband even knows how to drive a motorcycle or Vespa.

If you rent a car, you might be able to get there in 2.5 hours, depending on traffic. However considering the time involved in getting from your hotel to the rental location and back, the time involved with the paperwork (including when you return the car), the time it takes to drive within Florence city streets (and Chiavari, which is a big town also busy in summer, you are looking at at least 3 hours each way at the very least. The train is the faster option. If you or your husband have a craving for riding a Vespa, you can do so when you get there. I'm sure they have some Vespa rental in Chiavari.

I wouldn't hire a car for the one day if the train is an option but if you did allow a lot of time to pick it up. We dropped of a hire car in Florence yesterday and the line to pick up was well over an hour long (with a booking)