London: A huge new rail system is on the way

Troubled Italian airline Alitalia is continuing to fly thanks to a nearly half-billion dollar investment by the government this spring—which European officials have challenged as unfair. Flights this month should not be affected by backroom talks. To avoid strikes, the government has postponed any decisions until the end of the month, says Reuters. This fall, the airline may be put under "special administration", which is similar to bankruptcy in the U.S., explains Reuters. Then, Alitalia might receive up to $1.5 billion from private investors, says the newspaper Il Giornale, without naming sources. Potential investors include Air One, a profitable Italian competitor that we've blogged about before, and Lufthansa, the profitable German carrier. Here's hoping there's a way to save the national airline, making it stronger without harming budget travelers. "Brand Italy" has a powerful pull worldwide. It's a shame that no one has yet figured out how to make the Italian national carrier be as sexy and appealing as the country's reputation.

Although Munich's Oktoberfest may be the ultimate beer celebration, the reality of 6.5 million drinkers stuffed with schnitzel might not appeal to every traveler. For a sunnier fair with fewer American frat boys, check out Bavaria's second largest brew festival: Gäubodenvolksfest, starting this Friday, August 8, and running through the 18th. What originated in 1812 as a small agricultural fair now draws a substantial (but manageable) crowd of 1.2 million to the southern German city of Straubing—tempting visitors with seven huge beer tents, over 120 carnival rides and booths, and plenty of locals in lederhosen. Five regional breweries run the beer halls, and each prepares its own "festbier" specifically for the occasion, available only in one-liter glasses ($11). Soak up the suds with a wide array of sausages and kraut as well as more adventurous Bavarian specialties, such as a whole, spit-roasted ox. Morning and afternoon events are family-friendly. Roller coasters ($1.50-$6.50), parades, a boxing match, and shooting contests will keep kids entertained, while traditional brass horn music is sure to shield young ears from the German slang in the tents. After sundown, the halls get a little wilder as live rock and pop bands encourage tabletop dance parties. Straubing hotels usually fill up about six months in advance, but with trains from Munich under two hours (same-day round trip from $94, raileurope.com) and about 30 minutes from Regensburg (from $40, raileurope.com), the fest is well worth a day-trip on your Germany tour. MORE Affordable Europe: German hotels with an unusual perk Tips from a Train Expert: Save on trains in Germany