<p>I’m planning a trip to Italy and was wondering if this is worth the diversion. We might have to cut out Florence if we did this, which leads to my second question. What are your favorite cities in Italy?</p>
<p>[Munich:</a> Oktoberfest - TripAdvisor](<a href=“http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187309-c120193/Munich:Germany:Oktoberfest.html]Munich:”>http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g187309-c120193/Munich:Germany:Oktoberfest.html)
Fun only because a friend in Munich booked us the room and we sat with his large group of friends and family in the beer hall.
I wouldn’t divert to Germany if it takes days away from your Italy itinerary.
But if you have unlimited days of travel then… PROST!</p>
<p>If you are a fan of the the movie “Room with a View”
then read this article about the movie and the city of Florence.
<a href=“http://www.hellomagazine.com/travel/201201166958/florence-tuscany-room-with-a-view-locations/[/url]”>http://www.hellomagazine.com/travel/201201166958/florence-tuscany-room-with-a-view-locations/</a>
Walked or took the local buses everywhere in Florence, very accessible.
Make online reservations for your museum tickets.</p>
<p>Florence was transformational for me. Germany, not so much. I’d never miss an opportunity to see the David.</p>
<p>Don’t miss Florence. But if you’re planning on going north, try a couple of days at one of the Italian lakes - especially Lake Como, which is breathtakingly beautiful. There are lovely towns all up and down the lake, the most famous of which is probably Bellagio, and you can spend a day going from one to the other on the ferry. You could stop in Milan on the way and take in the magnificent cathedral (and the beautifully dressed people!)</p>
<p>Oktoberfest is fun, but not worth a detour - especially the time you will lose getting there, compared to the ease of traveling exclusively in Italy. I also agree exploring some of the smaller towns or villas in Italy is well worth the time. Assisi is a beautiful town and the monastary has Giotto frescos: [Assisi</a> - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisi]Assisi”>Assisi - Wikipedia) or the Villa d’Este has wonderful waterworks in the gardens: [Villa</a> d’Este - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_d’Este]Villa”>Villa d'Este - Wikipedia)</p>
<p>A matter of preference. Some beer connoisseurs, who want to visit every pub, and drink Westvleteren ([The</a> brewery](<a href=“http://www.sintsixtus.be/eng/brouwerij.htm]The”>http://www.sintsixtus.be/eng/brouwerij.htm)) may enjoy Oktoberfest more than Florence. Others, who don’t even like beer, might prefer art museums. It’s just what you enjoy most. imho</p>
<p>Over time I have learned to enjoy the beer. </p>
<p>With limited travel time, some advocate seeing as many important sites as possible. Others prefer to delve more deeply in a limited locale. Both equally valid approaches. again imho</p>
<p>adding: I have been to Oktoberfest and enjoyed it. As someone pointed out, I believe you need reservations to actually have seats. Seats aren’t necessary to enjoy the scene, but it’s good to know ahead of time how it works. My favorite city in Italy is Rome.</p>
<p>I enjoyed Oktoberfest–even though I don’t drink beer. It’s a “happening.” However, I would not cut Florence to do it.</p>
<p>^Friends who recently returned were comparing it to our state fair. 
They are huge state fair supporters, participants. Like the fair, it’s a family friendly event. Not everyone is drinking beer. :):)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the replies. The beer lover in our group, our 23 yr. old son, actually has the most time to tour. He can go on to Munich, after seeing Italy. We’ll add Florence back to the itinerary, and just stick to Italy on this trip.</p>
<p>The famous museums in Florence (like seeing David) require time stamped tickets–you can reserve on the internet ahead of time.</p>
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<p>See my profile! 
Westvleteren has gained a cult-like following. My grandmother loves to tell us that she remembers how her family used to bring food to the monks and the only way the trappists could repay in kind was via cases of beer. They still use the same crates but the economic model has changed. Those monks are hard workers but extremely smart. Fwiw, if you see the beer St Bernardus in your US store, just know that it borrows the same recipe as the legend in Belgium is that the monks separated and that the St Bernardus was allowed to be more commercial, and available in stores and pubs – the Westvleteren is only available on location and via special events and packages. Either way, it is one of the best for the beer connoisseurs. It is also very different from what might be served in Munich. </p>
<p>Back to the OP, I would also skip Munich and place on a future calendar when more time can be spent in the area of Munich, Oberammergau, Switzerland, Salzbourg, and perhaps Vienna or Prague. </p>
<p>Is Lake Como as attractive in the winter than it is in the summer?</p>