My fiancee and I will be in Switzerland for four days, but haven't booked anywhere to stay yet. We were thinking Interlaken, but not sure if that is a good place to do a budget stay in Switzerland. We wanted to do some hiking, mountain biking, etc. Where is a good city to do all of this and try to find some good hostels and whatnot? Thanks!

www.rooms.ch for buget-level hotel rooms.

You might ant to go above Interlaken to Wengen, Murren, or Lauterbrunnen.

I have just come back from Interlaken and it was wonderful for all the things you wish to do. We stayed and the Rugenpark Bed and Breakfast just near the West Interlaken train station. The owners are just wonderful and give good advice on hiking spots etc.

Also bnb.ch for bed and breakfast listings, poirierjeff. I seem to remember looking at an excellent website devoted to hostels, but I didn't bookmark it. Perhaps you can do a search, or someone here will direct you. You might take a look at roughguide recommendations or even Rick Steves.

Beargirl, I have a feeling you've just returned from a trip much like my first in 1970. Have you written a trip report? Based upon your recommendation for Interlaken, I have a feeling your insights might be useful to many young people. J.

http://www.hostels.com/en/ch.in.html

while you're waiting for other personal recommendations.

If looking for budget hotels or hostels Interlaken has many - Grindelwald has some - Wengen, Murren none IME - I've stayed in the Nature Friends House in Grindelwald - self-catering semi-hostel but with private rooms but austere - attracts an all-ages crowd.