where to walk in the summer

Excellent. What month in the Summer?

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

We'er going to be doing this in May-June:
http://www.dingleway.com/index.php

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!

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!

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!

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!