Europe’s Alpine regions are described in a...

Europe’s Alpine regions are described in a new booklet published by the Alpine Tourist Commission. Sixty-four pages spotlight travel by train, cable car and funicular in Austria, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Yugoslavia. Details on Eurailpasses, the Swiss Holiday Card, Germany’s Rail Transit Card, the Italian Tourist Ticket, Austria’s Rail Network Ticket. Other sections deal with food, wine, sports events, inns, history, boat excursions. The booklet is free. Write for “The Alps-- Europe’s Top Attraction,” c/o the Alpine Tourist Commission, Department A, Box 1137, Radio City Station, New York, N.Y. 10101.

Hawaii

Island Odysseys produces vacations for actives in Hawaii. Sailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, hiking, rafting, wind surfing, parasailing, riding, kayaking, camping, helicopter trips, etc. A total of 58 options. A popular item: A zodiac boat ride along Kauai’s haunting Na Pali Coast. Other water adventures take in the coastlines of Maui, Lanai and Molokai (chances to go shelling on deserted beaches). Sleep below deck or under the stars. Details from Island Odysseys, 46-018 Kam Highway, Suite 205, Kaneohe, Hawaii 96744, or telephone toll-free (800) 367-5696.

Biking Europe

Yorba Linda’s Peddling Professor, Allen Zeltzer, is preparing for his 13th bicycle tour of Europe. Bikers start in Amsterdam, wind up in Copenhagen. They pedal through Belgium, France, Germany. The tab is $75 a day for hotels, breakfast, most dinners, transportation by train/boat and support vehicle services. Bikers may opt for the entire trip (four weeks) or as little as six days. The professor will arrange for your flight/bike trip to Europe. Write to Allen M. Zeltzer, 4041 Denver Ave., Yorba Linda, Calif. 92686, or contact Travel One, 11517 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles 90025. Telephone (213) 477-1534.

British Tour Guide

A lot of travelers are squeamish about driving in Britain. They shudder over the idea of steering a car on the “wrong side of the road.” Others can’t tolerate groups and buses. Enter Eric Lovet-Darby. This fellow with the fancy name is a member of the South East Tourist Guides’ Assn. Conducts tours throughout the U.K. Singles or groups. Prides himself on his knowledge of history. Tours from two days to two weeks. Rates for a private tour will run you $127 a day. Cheaper if you get together with friends and divide up costs. Lovet-Darby does tailor-made tours or you can point him in whatever direction you care to go. Details available locally by writing to English Heritage Tours, c/o Kennedy & Associates, P.O. Box 978, Yorba Linda, Calif. 92686. Telephone (714) 970-1822.

Redwood Region

A note from Patsy and Charles Watts tells how they’ve renovated the venerable Benbow Inn in Garberville. New furnishings, new baths, new carpets. But more important, the Watts have installed central air conditioning throughout the inn (used to get hot as blazes in the summertime). This is an Edwardian manor, just off Highway 101, about 3 1/2 hours by car north of San Francisco. Fifty-five rooms, three with wood-burning fireplaces, one with a Jacuzzi. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, high tea each afternoon at 2 o’clock. There’s swimming in Benbow’s own lake, tennis, riding, bicycling, hay rides, golf (nine holes). Films screened nightly. House rules: No cigar smoking, no jeans in the dining room. If you ask, Patsy and Charles Watts will pack you a picnic lunch for your trip through the Redwoods. Daily rates start at $62. For reservations write to the Benbow Inn, 445 Lake Benbow Drive, Garberville, Calif. 95440, or telephone (707) 923-2124.

Vermont

Several years ago a group of Southern Vermont innkeepers got together to offer tours for bicycle buffs. Now they’ve added a walking tour. Either way, they’ll outline your itinerary on a map. After this, you’re on your own. None of that business of keeping up with the crowd. Just pedal or walk as far as you care to go each day. The inns are strategically located, so that you can stop whenever you get tired. (Luggage is transferred for you from inn to inn.) Rates are $50 a day for shelter, breakfast/dinner. And they’ll rent you a bike in case you don’t bring your own. The season starts in late spring, continues into early October. Write to Cycle Inn Vermont or Walk Inn Vermont, RFD 4, Chester, Vt. 05143.

Reader Recommendations

New Zealand--Joan and Ken Ward, Long Beach: “Enjoyed Moose lodge near Rotorua on the North Island. This was the vacation retreat for Queen Elizabeth. Excellent fishing on nearby lakes and in streams. Moose lodge was our favorite place in all of New Zealand. Address: RD4, Rotorua, New Zealand. Prices: U.S. $125 single, $175 double. Includes three meals.”

Wales--Mrs. A. Shoemaker, El Segundo: “Two lovely B&Bs; in Wales. One is Glanyrafon on Llangynog Road, Johnstown, Carmarthen. Cost $33 for the four of us, which included a full breakfast. The second B&B; is called Byrdir on High Street, Gwynedd, LL46-2YA, Harleck. The four of us had two double rooms, dinner and a bottle of wine, all for $55.”

Costa Rica--Lucille and Burt Forer, Malibu: “A fine restaurant in San Jose, Costa Rica--the Chalet Suizo. Cuisine comparable to that of fine European restaurants. About $4 for a full-course dinner. Located on Avenida 1 between Calles 5 and 7. Telephone 22-31-18.”

France--Shirley and Sam Murphy, Santa Barbara: “A most unusual sojourn in France, available the month of September. It’s the charming 17th-Century Country Chateaux de la Poujade in the heart of the Perigord Noir in the Dordogne Valley. Prehistoric caves nearby. We slept in an antique poster bed, awoke to cowbells and the aroma of cafe au lait. The vibrant genie behind all these and many more delights: Dorothy Lindsey, Unicorn Tours, 1216 State St., Suite 402, Santa Barbara, Calif. 93101.”

France--Frances Jo Romano, San Diego: “My husband and I attended a small French language school in the Charente-Maritime area of France. Would be quite pleased to describe the experience to anyone who is planning to do this. Call us at (619) 277-3520.”

Readers: Your recommendations should contain the addresses of hotels, inns, restaurants, as well as prices whenever possible. (Please print or type.)