My husband and I want to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary with a self-guided walking tour in the summer. We want someone to take our luggage from place to place, but we want to walk ourselves from place to place, without a group. So we want some place that's safe, interesting, and with good weather. We don't want to be walking in 80 degrees, for example. I prefer something coastalI love to see the seabut it doesn't have to be. We have been to a fair bit of Europe and speak a bit of a variety of languages, so we're up for pretty much anything beautiful. Any suggestions for a place and a group that leads these kind of tours? ThanksVicky
Posted by
Magyarország / Rep of Texas
20458 posts
Excellent. What month in the Summer?
Posted by
Seattle, WA
17560 posts
There are lots of opportunities in Switzerland, but if you want something along the coast maybe consider one of the national trails in the UK, such as the Cornwall Coastal Path. I was considering this for our trip last year, and found a number of websites offering self-guided itineraries with lodging booked and luggage transport. We decided on a different trip so I didn't save the links, but they should be easy to find.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
517 posts
Hiking Hadrian's wall has been on my wish list for some time. I've tried to organize it several times, but something has always come up. The walk basically cuts across northern England, following a well preserved Roman defensive wall across rolling countryside, through quaint villages, etc. A google search will reveal that there are several companies that will transport your bags for you between villages. You can do the whole thing or smaller portions. Here is an article from Smithsonian: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/Trekking-Hadrians-Wall.html Good luck! Sounds like fun.
Posted by
OP
Farmington, ME, USA
74 posts
Thanks for the replies so far! As for the month, it would probably be July, as I teach until June, and August is usually back-to-school-prep month. Any other thoughts you have would be greatly appreciated!
Posted by
Baltimore, Maryland, USA
355 posts
I've been looking at something similar around Lake Como. Just by Googling, I've found several outfitters that do this with slightly different itineraries. It's not the beach, but it is a nice body of water. I can't recommend any particular hike as I'm only in the thinking stages myself, but I really love the area.
Posted by
Downingtown, USA
2456 posts
How about west coast of Ireland? We walked from Doolin for about ten miles north and had arranged for our zB&B host to pick us up, very kind of them. Maybe there are companies in the west that do something like you want. Scenery is great.
Posted by
Bend, OR, United States
1167 posts
We'er going to be doing this in May-June:
http://www.dingleway.com/index.php
Posted by
Rhode Island, USA
484 posts
Have you thought about the Azores? http://www.azores.com/ Quick and easy easy 4 hour nonstop flights from Boston on SATA airlines. You can walk until your heart is content from small village to small village, along mountain ridges, along shorelines, etc... just about anywhere. Here is a great website to peruse regarding the hikes on all of the islands... http://www.trails-azores.com/?lang=en I can recommend Sao Miguel and Santa Maria, but any of the islands may be what you are looking for. Of course since these are islands, you could stay in one place and take a different walk each day, or even island hop...I don't know of any group (company) that does this, but this is a very easy trip to plan and do yourself.
I think the Azores is the most beautiful place to visit, especially in the summer. I think it offers everything you are looking for. Good Luck!
Posted by
OP
Farmington, ME, USA
74 posts
You guys are great--so helpful! Thanks so much for your responses. Now I get to do some research on them--which is almost as much fun as the trip itself. I also have more questions: how about the Amalfi Coast in the summer--too hot or okay? And would the Cinque Terre be okay by then, or do you think it's too touristy by now, or not ready since the mud slide? What about France--any experience walking there? And how about Corsica or Sardinia? Thanks again--looking forward to your thoughts!
Posted by
Centennial, CO, USA
1895 posts
Haven't used this company yet, but I'm checking into it. My husband and I do self guided bike tours...luggage transported for us and we just ride to the next town. Been doing bike tours like this for over 10 years. Love the independence, and love NOT being in a group. http://www.macsadventure.com/us/index.php Other option is this, http://nicholexpeditions.com/self-guided-tours/
We've used Nichols 3x now and we are very happy. Toll free number to call, they are based in Moab Utah. Judy Nichols is great, as is her staff. PM me if you have questions. Happy to help out another independent self guided traveler!
Posted by
Lewiston, Idaho, USA
2092 posts
Vicky, a couple of years ago one of our daughters and I went on a self-guided walking tour of Provence through discoverfrance.com and absolutely loved it. We were picked up at the Avignon TGV and taken to our first hotel and to our first dinner which was a Michelin starred restaurant. (Fabulous!) From then on we would hike from hotel to hotel, our packs would be transported for us and the dinners in most villages were provided. Oh and we were given a GPS to figure out where we were supposed to go. In spite of the fact that I am pretty energetic, climbing the Alpilles was more like a hike than a walk although there also were some lovely walks. Our grand randonné took us between les Baux de Provence, St Rémy, Isle sur la Sorgue, Fontaine de Vaucluse and Gordes. I'd do it again in a heart beat!