Travelling by car from Paris to Switzerland in October for 7 days. Adult couple. 3-4 star (out of 5) budget. Like unique food, walking (hiking and biking too), strolling old towns and lake activities. Museums and castles less important. Please suggest itinerary for first-timers to Switzerland and scenic car drives. Our plan is totally flexible and may include France and/or Italy if better in October. Thanks.

Anybody out there? Could use some help. Thanks.

We always enjoy our time in Lucerne. Great scenery, plenty of sights to take in, plus the old town area. You can always get on a lake steamer for day-trip around the lake and stop off at a couple of scenic lakeside towns.

The driving we've done has always been when the mountain passes are not open! We always are in Switzerland in late March/early April and then again in late November/early December. I'm excited because we have a September trip scheduled in less than two weeks time!! Hopefully we get up on some (or at least one) of the passes this time.

The drive in and around Lucerne and then south towards Gruyere and Interlaken is very nice.

As far as hotels are concerned, you'll have a number of choices for 3*, but Swiss hotels always seem to be more expensive than you might hope!!

Should have said 3* and 4*! We stay at the Ibis Styles in Lucerne. Not bad. Location is pretty good. Parking is a short walk away in the garage at the COOP (you'll notice it by the large parking area for buses). The Lucerne lion is very close, as is the old town for strolling/dining.

Thank you simpson. Luzern is on my short list and I just heard about Gruyere. Both sound nice. I'm a little concerned that in mid-late October some of the boats, cable cars etc. may be closed, especially in the Interlaken are. Do you know when they stop service?