My husband and I are joining our hiking club for a week of hiking from Grindelwald in June. We would like to extend our stay for a week or so, but prefer not to rent a car. I was thinking of Lugano as our next base for a more relaxed few days. We are also interested in the Dolomites, but it appears more difficult to get there from Grindelwald
without a car. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks

If you have any interest in hearing French spoken rather than Italian, my wife and I really liked Montreux. Beautiful gardens, the water, vineyards, great views when it's not cloudy (it was when we were there in October) and Chateaux Chillon was great for a castle buff like me.

I like Lugano as a base. You can day trip into Milan one day and then bus over to Menaggio and spend a day there. There is even a boat/bus/boat excursion to Stresa on Lake Maggiore from there. After the Berner Oberland I see that as an ideal complement.

Thank you. Bob, are you familiar w/the hotel Walter au lac or Park hotel Nizza in Lugano?

Yes ! I have stayed at the Walter au Lac---fabulous location but very dated.
The Villa Nizza is nicer but a good :15 walk to the downtown area. There are 2 hotels in the suburb of Castagnola[sp]that are good choices---I forget the names--one has that as part of it's name. The Ticino tourism site will have it. Good luck !