Law Lord: Like you, I have done a number of European walks on my own (Cotswold loop, Luberon Valley in Provence, and the Camino)--mapping them out, obtaining maps, making en route reservations, and arranging to have my luggage moved day-to-day to avoid having to carry it. However, we have also used several companies that specialize in what are known as inn-to-inn walking/hiking vacations (e.g., Sherpa, On Foot Holidays). All provide excellent hard-copy topographical maps. On Foot also provides great digital versions. Most important, all provide detailed route notes that make it virtually impossible to get lost regardless of trail markings (such as, "take the kissing gate on the left of the walled farmer's field ahead") as well as information on what you're seeing ("the castle ruins just across the stream date to 1248..."). Most companies also provide a range of lodging options (hostel to luxury boutique) and move your belongings. They also invariably take you off the national trails and use local trails, which are rarely marked well but are often more beautiful and less crowded. On walks in the the Dordogne, Lake District, and Amalfi coast (just completed last fall with On Foot), having the maps, notes, and various route and lodging options available far outweighed any advantages of "going it alone." The Amalfi coast walk was stunning (and hard) and used national paths less than 10% of the time. On the whole, we found trail markings on the GRs in France OK, the lesser trials not so much. The quality of the markings on the national trails in Spain and Italy is all over the place and we couldn't rely on them.

On the Camino, I agree it is a unique and fun experience and would recommend it to anyone. However, the last 100 km from Sarria can get very crowded (a lot of people start there because of the requirement to walk at least 100km to get a certificate), so if you value solitude while walking, it can be difficult to achieve. In addition, the last 100km--especially the last 30km--are frankly not particularly scenic. You walk them more for the Camino experience than the physical attractiveness of the surroundings. If you're not too concerned with getting to Santiago, the portions of the Camino just before Sarria and at the beginning, just over in the Pyrennes in France are far more scenic segments and much less crowded.