10 day Switzerland trip - other destinations
 

We have 12 days to vacation in Europe this late August. My other half wants to go to Switzerland, and I've picked the Lauterbrunnen area for our stay. Even though we love hiking, we don't want to spend the entire time there, plus, it's quite expensive. We have direct flights into Geneva, Milan, Munich or Venice. I think Geneva or Milan would be ideal. Venice and Munich are are further away. We can get a rental car if needed.

So, I'm looking for suggestion of 1-2 other location that will compliment the Berner Oberland area. Perhaps a nice town with good food, cute streets, etc. Ideally, also a bit cheaper than Switzerland.

Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany is about 2.5 hours from Lauterbrunnen (although I'd never suggest a car in Switzerland). From there you can get to France pretty easily, such as to the chocolate box town of Colmar, which is about 50 minutes away.

Both are lovely towns with a lot on offer.

How long do you plan to spend in / around Lauterbrunnen?

End August, Milan Malpensa airport - Lauterbrunnen will take about 7 hrs by public transport.
change at Lugano, Zurich and Interlaken.
By car, you can drive over the Simplon Pass to Brig - Gampel - Goppenstein, use the car shuttle train Goppenstein - Kandersteg and go on on local roads to Spiez - Wilderswil - Lauterbrunnen.
The train ride from Geneva airport to Lauterbrunnen takes 3 1/2 hrs. Change at Berne and Interlaken.

Aosta Valley (Beuil/Cervinia - Matterhorn Paradise, Courmayeur - Mont Blanc, Gressoney - Monte Rosa) is cheaper than Switzerland and of easy reach by car from Milan Malpensa airport.
If you prefer to fly into Munich, check Zillertal, Stubaital and Oetztal (all in Austria).
The Dolomites are between Munich and Venice.

I asked because my recommendations would depend on how much time you plan to spend at your alternate location(s).