We are four couples in our mid 50s that will be spending 6 nights in Interlaken, Switzerland in July , 2017. We have four additional nights to spend, before flying out of Zurich back to the U.S. I am looking for somewhere within 4 hour drive of Interlaken. We like to hike/bike. I was looking at Como, Italy and Beaune, France but am open to any and all suggestions. I hope to rent a house for us.
Thank you

Is your visit to Interlaken for pleasure or business? If for pleasure, then consider relocating to nearby Murren, Wengen, or Grindlewald. Those are towns 30 minutes south of Interlaken and are situated in the alps. The hiking available in that region is among the most spectacular in the world.

In the case you would be interested in Switzerland too,you could have a look at http://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ch/i...on-summer.html

Consider Lake Brienz and also Luzern/Lucerne

Go on up and stay in Murren - it's GREAT! We had a great room there overlooking the Jungfrau with a balconey, etc. Fab!

You can't drive to Murren. And Wengen is carfree.

To the OP, are you sure you want drive in Switzerland? The country is connected seamlessly by trains, buses and boats. From Interlaken Ost station you can take trains to multiple destinations up into the Alps. And boats on Lake Brienz and Lake Thun (from Interlaken West).

Switzerland is the last place I'd recommend driving.

Cars are indeed a waste of money in Interlaken area -consider taking trains and gondolas -cars not allowed after Grindelwald and Lauterbrunnen- for lots on Swiss trains and transports check www.swisstravelsystem.com; www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com.

Check into the Jungfrau regional pass which covers many expensive trains and cables-buy it locally.

For a drive from Interlaken yes Lake Como or Lake Maggiroe are easy ones.

Lake Como may be more than 4 hours' drive from Interlaken but Lake Stresa may be that- and you have the unique adventure of putting your car on a train to go under the Lotschberg mountains.

Stresa is a rally neat town and just off shore are the three fantastic Borromean Islands:

https://www.google.com/search?q=borr...w=1745&bih=864

You'll find Italy to be a lot cheaper too than Switzerland!

Lucerne gets my vote. Lovely old town, boat trips across the lake, funiculars to the top of mountains, lots of good walks around town and around the lake. Plus easy access to Zurich airport.
We've had several holidays in Switzerland and find train travel the easiest way to go.

Lake Stresa = Lake (Lago) Maggiore.

Yes Lucerne has so many neat short excursions by boat on lovely Lake Lucerne- great place for final days but no need to drive.

If you enjoy driving as an adventure drive up and over high Alpine passes such as the Simplon Pass en route to Italy - lots of hairpin curves, etc and a top of the world feeling at the summit.

A neat way to reach Lake Como by car would be to drive from Interlaken along Lake Brienz to Meiringen then climb the Susten (?) Pass up and down to the new Gotthard Tunnel car shuttle (or up and over the Gotthard Pass) to Lake Como.

https://www.google.com/search?q=gott...HdBqBA8QsAQIHA

I had a great time driving the Gotthard Pass once but not for Nervous Nellies!