In researching my upcoming trip to Italy, I have become enchanted with the website photos I have seen of the ruins of the San Galgano monastery. Now I am trying to figure out how to fit it in my itinerary. It doesn't seem to be near any of the major touristed towns mentioned in the usual guidebooks, and yet it doesn't seem to warrant being a full day "destination" in and of itself. I'll be staying at Locanda dell Amorosa in Sinalunga, and will have a car. I am planning a day trip to Siena, and thought about perhaps making it a stop before or after, but am afraid of cutting my time in Siena too short. So, do you think I should squeeze it in with Siena? Are the towns and countryside nearby worth visiting? Have those that have visited San Galgano found it to be worth the drive there?

All advice offered is appreciated.

Actually San Galgano is not too far from a lot of tourist sites: the walled village of Monteriggioni, Murlo, Ponte della Pia, Chiusdino, the Galleraie Spa are all close to San Galgano, and I am sure there is more that right now I can't remember. I think that the whole are is worth more than just being "squeezed in" (as a matter of facts I have spent a couple of weeks in the area: 4 stays of 3-4 days each during the last 2 years).

A bit far from your base. I would be sure to see Abbey Mt. Oliveto Maggiore and Santa Anna di Camprena first--both much closer.

Did you read about this place in the Cadogan guide? I've been reading about it and it sounds wonderful. I'd love to get the website for the pictures you mention. Thanks.

Thanks for all of your suggestions - I have plenty to look into in planning my sightseeing.

JM - The first place I read about San Galgano was in Rough Guides. When I did a google search, I found plenty of sites that had a few pictures, but my favorites were on this site:
http://www.siena.turismo.toscana.it/galleria.htm

Both the upper and lower left corner photos are of San Galgano, looking very mysterious.

San Galgano is beautiful and worth the trip. A very romantic setting ; )