Firstly, thank you to the many people who contribute to this forum with so much great advice.

We are spending one week in Switzerland (couple 50s) during our six week holiday in Germany, Switzerland, Austria. We will be driving a leased car and have already booked two nights in a hotel in Muerren that was recommended in this forum. Our last night will be in Zurich on our way to Garmisch-Partenkirchen. My question is this: where should we spend the first four nights (coming from Strasbourg where we will have picked up the car) so that we can go for day drives around the countryside and see something of the cities. I have a tentative booking for a hotel room outside Bern (Stettlen) because my first choice, Lucerne, was so expensive and difficult with a car. We have never been to any of these countries.

I am thinking that if this question gets too far down on the message board then no one will answer.
Any suggestions for a 4-night base in Switzerland?

I have a fondness for Vevey/Montreux, outside Geneva, but I'm not sure that it fits you plans. (but will top this post for you)

I think we could better help you if we knew your interests. Food and wine, culture, art, beautiful scenery, lakes and mountains, hiking or not, price considerations, other interests?

Thank you for your interest.
My husband and I love driving and would enjoy a balance of countryside and mountain scenery with short hikes and the culture of the cities (historical places, churches, galleries). We would like to keep accommodation costs under 100 Euro (or the equivalent in CHF) per night including parking costs.

For a list of budget, but certainly very acceptable, Swiss accommodations you might try looking at this site:

www.rooms.ch

Here's some more advice: http://destinationstation.blogspot.c...tain-high.html

I'm afraid I can't help with a driving itinerary. But I will top this so someone else will see it.

Instead of Luzern, why don't you stay in Weggis? It's perfect with a car. You can take a ferry ride on the lake or go up to the Rigi from Weggis.

If you enjoy driving, work out an itinerary that includes driving the passes. For example, you can drive from Weggis to Wassen, go over Susten pass and then head to Muerren. Or you can go over the Furka and Grimsel, back down to Meiringen. Only drive the passes when the weather is good.

Every year or so, we rent a convertible for a day or two and go over the passes. It's a great way to experience the mountains. You might want to consider a convertible for your stay too.

We love mountain drives from our trips to the Rockies and have nothing like that mountain terrain with the lakes,glaciers etc in Australia. So, we can do this from one base? I realise the weather in late Sept, early Oct could be a problem.

Actually, beg. of October can be the best time of year for these drives. I would use the passes to get from point A to B. Look at a map and figure out your destinations and the best passes that you could incorporate into getting there.

I really would advise staying in Weggis or Vitznau at least one night and then maybe doing some day trips from there.

One favourite daytrip of mine that can only be done during the week is: Schwyz - Muotathal - Pragel Pass - Klausen Pass - Altdorf - Schwyz. The Pragel Pass is closed on weekends.