The nation’s capital has a toll-free reservation...

The nation’s capital has a toll-free reservation number for 70 Washington-area hotels that offer reduced rates ($20/$40 a night) near Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian, the White House. Other money-saving rates available at downtown hotels as well as Virginia/Maryland suburbs. Discounts offered year-round to pleasure travelers. Call Capitol Reservations at (800) 847-4832. (Operators will also provide details on public transportation, parking, etc.)

On the Road in Mexico

Sanborn’s of Mexico will mail you free booklets concerning fishing, camping, recreational vehicle vacations in Mexico. Names dozens of RV parks (along with detailed directions). Sanborn’s sells insurance (full coverage or liability only). Be sure to be properly insured while motoring south of the border. The Mexican police are tough on violators.

While you’re at it, ask for Sanborn’s Travel-Aid packet. Provides answers to questions about Mexico and contains city maps, a mile-by-mile highway guide. Suggestions on dining/accommodations.

Sanborn’s, P.O. Box 310, Dept. N, McAllen, Tex. 78502.

Biking/Montana

A new trip by Backcountry Bicycle Tours of Montana features white-water rafting, hiking and tennis in addition to biking. Options: golf, horseback riding. This is an inn-to-inn tour. Riders pedal through Montana’s Gallatin and Madison River valleys. Lodging provided at Gallatin Gateway Inn in Gallatin Gateway (a nationally registered historic site), Meadow View Resort at Big Sky and the Fairweather Inn, Virginia City. Five days, five nights: $599. Includes lodging, all meals, refreshment breaks, the rafting trip, assistance of a support van, maps, theater/museum tickets. Departure dates: June 18, July 23 and 30, Aug. 6.

Backcountry Bicycle Tours, P.O. Box 4029-P, Bozeman, Mont. 59772, or telephone (406) 586-3556.

Biking/Hawaii

Backroads Bicycle Touring is scheduling 13 tours of Hawaii’s Big Island through April. Visits to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the lava flows of Mauna Kea, Akaka Falls, Laupahoehoe Point, beaches along the Hamakua and Kona coasts, City of Refuge. This is a 10-day tour. Circles the island. Riders overnight at Volcano House atop Kilauea Crater, Parker Ranch Lodge, the Manago Hotel at Captain Cook, the Sheraton Royal Waikoloa at Anaehoomalia Bay, the Naniloa Hotel in Hilo and Hotel Kamehameha at Kailua-Kona. Price ($1,296) includes hotels, all meals, park entrance fees, guides. The same company does more than 40 other tours worldwide. Ask for their free 50-page catalogue.

Backroads Bicycle Touring, P.O. Box 1626-PR15, San Leandro, Calif. 94577. Call (415) 895-1783.

Germany’s WunderCheck

Again in ‘89, Germany is featuring its dollar-saving WunderCheck Voucher plan involving more than 90 hotels throughout the country. Vouchers must be bought from U.S. travel agents. Accommodations start at $42 per person. Includes your room, breakfast (in some cases dinner), taxes, service. Children occupying the same room pay approximately $22. First-night accommodations are reserved by your travel agent. After that, hotel clerks call ahead for room reservations for the following nights. Vouchers list locations and telephone numbers of participating hotels, which are along Germany’s Romantic Road, Wine Road, Rhineland Palatinate, Castle Road and the Hanseatic Towns--Fairytale Road.

Details from your travel agent or the German National Tourist Office, 444 S. Flower St., Suite 2230, Los Angeles 90071, phone (213) 688-7332.

A Letter From Ireland

A note from Liam and Ann Cusack, who operate the Granville Hotel in Waterford City, Ireland: “Our hotel has been completely refurbished in the last year. Ideal base for visits to Waterford glass factory, the Heritage Centre and for exploring the lovely Waterford countryside and the surrounding counties of Kilkenny, Tipperary and Wexford. Golfing, fishing, tennis, horseback riding can be arranged. We have 66 rooms, all with bath/shower, TV, radio, direct-dial telephone. Rates from 29.50 to 40 per person with full English breakfast. We also have four superior suites, two restaurants and a colorful Old World bar where guests can mingle with the locals.”

Reservations through your travel agent or by calling toll-free (800) 528-1234. Or write to the Granville Hotel, Meagher’s Quay, Waterford City, Ireland.

Full Sail

A fleet of 11 windjammers will provide trips this summer along the coast of Maine. The two-masted ships (64 to 112 feet in length) are skippered by owners, crewed by family members. Captains drop anchor at small harbors, fishing villages, island coves. Family-style meals (homemade breads, desserts, fresh seafood, chowders, garden fresh vegetables, hand-cranked ice cream, lobster bakes). Cruises operate Sunday evening to Saturday noon. Simple accommodations. Casual dress. Rates: $425/$525, meals included.

Brochures from Maine Windjammer Assn., Box 317, Rockport, Me. 04856, or call toll-free (800) 624-6380.

For Singles

A year ago Marilyn Wolff founded a diner/social club for singles. Now she’s branching into travel. Her first trip for singles (mid-20s to mid-40s) will be a weekender April 22 to Hearst Castle with stops in Solvang, San Luis Obispo, Morro Bay. The entire package figures out to $84.75 (round-trip motor-coach transportation, a buffet dinner and accommodations Saturday night at San Simeon plus admittance to Hearst Castle on Sunday).

Contact Wolff c/o Single Diners Social Club, 1206 N. Orange Drive, Suite 5, Los Angeles 90038. Telephone (213) 871-9344.

Reader Recommendations

New Mexico--Steven and Nancy Smith, Seal Beach: “A bed and breakfast accommodation called Salsa del Salto in Taos, N.M. Hosts Dadou Mayer and Mary Hockett are delightful people. Dadou is a French-born gourmet chef. Homemade breads, pastries. Address: P.O. Box 452, El Prado, N.M. 87529. Rates: $85/$150 double occupancy. We stayed four nights. Fantastic.”

England--John Parkin, Santa Monica: Enjoyed two B&Bs;, Newhouse Farm, Radwinter, Saffron Walden, Essex (10 per person), and Langdale Guest House, 114 Craig Walk (off Helm Road), Bowness on Windermere, Cumbria (12 per person).”

England--Sundia Kayden, Montebello: “Spent three of the best days of our trip in Stratford-on-Avon at a B&B; called the Twelfth Night, Evesham Place, Stratford-on-Avon. Everything you need to be very comfortable: parking, private baths, color TV, tea and coffee in the room, huge English breakfasts. Nonsmokers only. Rates: 22 to 30 per couple.”

Wales--Mrs. John Wikle, Corona Del Mar: Enjoyed Th’n Rhos Farm, Llanddeiniolen, Caernarfon Gwynedd Ll55 3AE. “Room with breakfast and dinner, about $43 U.S. per person.”

Hawaii--Kathleen Edwards, San Francisco: “For true romantics with a small pocketbook, try Linda Chandler’s cozy hut on the northern side of Kauai. The bathroom is shared and the shower is heated by a wood fire, but it’s pure heaven. Contact Linda C. Chandler, P.O. Box 447, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714.”

Costa Rica--Ron Rawlinson and Sandie Mac, San Diego: “Hospitality abounds at the Hotel Amstel, 1st and 3rd avenues, 7th Street, P.O. Box 4192, Costa Rica. Doubles: $28 U.S. Near museums, train station and central mercado . English spoken. Ask for Rossy at the front desk. The Amstel is known for the best food in town.”