If you’re a veteran of the “police...

If you’re a veteran of the “police action” in Korea, here’s a chance to return free of charge. It’s courtesy of the Korean Veterans Assn. Offer for five days is for you and your spouse. (You pay the air fare.) The tour will be based in Seoul. Excursions to Inchon, Panmunjom, Kyongbok Palace, Yoido Island, the Korean War Museum, Seoul Tower, etc. Flights leave LAX May 23, Sept. 19, Nov. 14. Information available from the Korea Revisit Program Center, 1650 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Telephone (213) 483-3703. Other details from Net Tours, 150 Powell St., Suite 301, San Francisco 94102, or phone toll-free (800) 792-0747. Outside California the toll-free number is (800) 227-5464.

Dutch Treat

The Dutch have published a colorful 22-page magazine. Free on request. Features Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, restaurants, accommodations, tourist offices, transportation, car rentals, hotels/bungalows, campsites, museums, tourist attractions, details for the handicapped. A detailed booklet on Amsterdam is especially helpful: tips on shopping, sightseeing, dining, night life, museums, hotels, markets, theaters/concerts, antique shops. Copies from Gerrie Davidson, c/o the Netherlands Board of Tourism, 605 Market St., Room 401, San Francisco 94105. From Los Angeles telephone (213) 678-8802.

Free Converters

Deak-Perera, the big money-changer in Los Angeles, is putting free currency converters in the mail. The “slide guide” indicates rates for 32 foreign currencies, offers tips on time changes, mileage/kilometer conversions, tipping, etc. Drop a post card to Deak-Perera, 677 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90017, or telephone (213) 624-4221.

Polar Express

For train buffs: a real vacation memory. It’s a 3,000-mile trip by Polar Express. Crosses a corner of the Arctic Circle, takes in Norway, Sweden, Denmark. A couple of days in Lapland. Then it’s on to Germany and Switzerland. The package includes a flight over the North Pole by chartered jet, several ferryboat crossings. A pip of a train. Pullman carriages from the original Orient Express, a restored bar car. Singles pay $1,265 for nine days. Or four can share a couchette compartment for $945 per passenger. “A fraction of the cost for other rail excursions in nostalgic cars,” says the operator. Rates include air fare from Zurich, most meals, excursions. Details from your travel agent or by calling Europe Train Tours toll-free (800) 445-0191. Outside California telephone (800) 551-2085.

An American in France

Claudia de Guere, an American living in France, has opened her home to travelers. Antiques, paintings, a fireplace, private bath, patio. Mme. De Guere offers six-day programs. Only two guests at a time. Dinners are served in a 300-year-old renovated former bergerie (sheep pen). Regional dishes with homemade pate. Fruits, vegetables from Mme. De Guere’s garden. Picnics during excursions to chateaux along the Dordogne River, abbeys, the Museum of Toulouse-Lautrec, caves containing prehistoric wall drawings. All this comes to a hefty $750 per guest including tours by private car. Not cheap, but if you’re looking for a new experience, it’s something to consider. Mme. De Guere, 46330 St. Cirq Lapopie, France. Or there’s a local contact: Enid Sandler, 204 Washington Ave., Santa Monica 90403. Telephone (213) 451-2087.

Bavaria

A new travel company in New York specializes in Bavaria. Call toll-free and they’ll give you names of little-known restaurants, shopping tips, ideas for sightseeing. The same company will make all your bookings, travel arrangements (on or off well-known roads). Sightseeing by motor coach, train, rental car. You decide. Dial toll-free 800-BAVARIA.

Oxnard

For years the city of Oxnard has played the role of stepchild among California coastal communities. Especially those north of Los Angeles. Santa Barbara and Ventura got the big play. Now Oxnard is joining the league. On April 20-21 this pleasant coastal town will host the California Strawberry Festival. Jazz bands, sky divers, barbershop quartets, jugglers, mimes. Painters and potters are coming from as far away as New York to offer displays. Location: Channel Islands Harbor. Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. both Saturday, Sunday. Details from the City of Oxnard Public Relations Department, 305 West 3rd St., Oxnard 93030, or telephone (805) 984-4715.

San Francisco

For a buck you can get a copy of a handy 80-page magazine published quarterly by the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau. Filled with useful facts. Items on restaurants (cheap to expensive, Chinese to Filipino). Other sections deal with shopping, entertainment, a history of San Francisco, sightseeing, cultural/sports events. This is a good buy. Write to the Visitors Center, SFCV, P.O. Box 6977, San Francisco 94101. They’ll also send you a free brochure naming more than 200 hotels, all price ranges.

Washington State

Another magazine (142 pages) published in Washington is packed with information on hotels/motels, restaurants, camping, recreation, hunting, fishing, skiing, sightseeing, car rentals, etc. It’s beautiful and it’s free. For a copy call toll-free (800) 541-WASH or write to the Washington State Tourism Development Division, 101 Jet Administration Building, Olympia, Wash. 98504.

Driver’s Guide

Evelyn Weidner, who is putting together a driver’s handbook for Americans traveling in Europe, needs help. “I’m asking your readers to share helpful driving tips from their own experiences. I need lots of input from people who have been overseas. Especially useful would be tips on driving on the left side of the road, city driving, motoring in southern countries.” If you care to contribute, write to Weidner, 537 Ocean View, Encinitas, Calif. 92024.

Reader Recommendations

England--L. R. Hundlebly, Cathedral City: “A reasonable, quiet B&B;, Danesbury Guesthouse, 1 Bridge Road, Torquay, Devon, England. About $15 for a double.”

Scotland--Elayne Rowland, Rancho Palos Verdes: “In remote, wild Scottish terrain we found Ardeonaig Hotel, South Lochtayside, Killin, Perthshire, Scotland. Host affable, food superior.”

England--Mr. and Mrs. Lewandoowski, Valencia: “Two bed and breakfasts in England and Scotland. The An-Airigh, 94 Corstophine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6JG, Scotland. About $31 for four persons. In Bath it’s the Orchard, 41A Warminster Road, Bathampton DA2 6XJ, England. Newly decorated, private bath in each room. Approximately $36 for four persons.”

Wales--U. Kyaw Win, Laguna Hills: “Recommend Glyn Garth Guesthouse, South Road, Aberystwyth, Dyfed, Wales. A block from castle ruins. English/Welsh breakfasts. About $15 for two.”

Scotland--K. Myslick, Fullerton: “In Scotland, Shieldaig Lodge Hotel, Gairloch Ross-Shire IV21 2BL on the shore of Loch Shieldaig, 71 miles west of Inverness. Bed and breakfast $24 per person. Stay one week and this includes dinner, too. Fishing rights on a small loch.”

Germany--Richard Orr, Malibu: “An inexpensive family-run hotel not far from Frankfurt. It’s Hotel Kuhler Grund, 61 Darmstadt-Eberstadt, Beerbacher Strabe 3, West Germany. For more information call Dick or Esther Orr at (213) 454-4272.”

San Francisco--Charles and Ruthelma Barret, West Covina: “Enjoyed Adelaide Inn, a 16-room bed and breakfast in the very heart of San Francisco, Union Square area. European atmosphere. Comfortable beds. Paid $32 a day for two. It’s at 5 Adelaide Place, San Francisco 94102, phone (415) 441-2261.”

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