Here’s a chance to swap your home...

Here’s a chance to swap your home in California for one in Scotland. Mrs. Rosemary Lawson writes: “My 12-year-old son won a prize in a U.K. competition for a week’s holiday for our family at Disneyland. We wish to prolong our holiday and wonder if any of your readers would like to exchange homes (and cars) with us for two or three weeks at the beginning of July. We live in a three-bedroom house in a quiet residential estate on the outskirts of Glenrothes, a new town in Scotland. Easy touring to St. Andrews and Falkland Palace. Edinburgh is 32 miles to the south and Perth and Dundee are all within an hour’s drive. If any of your readers would like to holiday in Scotland, I hope they will get in touch with me.” Sounds like a wonderful opportunity. Write to Mrs. Rosemary Lawson, 4 Atholl Way, Glenrothes, Fife, Scotland.

Visas

Travelers in a rush for visas can get the job done in a hurry by contacting Bob Rogers of Intercontinental Visa Service (Suite 185), Los Angeles World Trade Center, 350 S. Figueroa St. Rogers processes visas for every country in the world, issues international driver’s licenses, assists with passport and visa photographs and stocks dozens of hard-to-find travel accessories. His telephone is (213) 625-7175.

Charters

If you’re considering a charter flight, write for the booklet titled “What You Should Know About Booking a Charter.” Sets down rules by the U.S. Department of Transportation, advises passengers on questions they should ask, tells how the charter business has evolved since the ‘60s. For copies write to DER Tours, 520 Broadway, Santa Monica, Calif. 90401 or telephone (213) 394-0288.

American Express

OK, Karl Malden, take a bow. Good news for travelers who purchase American Express travelers checks. The company has introduced a three-hour courier refund service. Operates in 70 U.S. cities. If you lose your checks, a courier will deliver a refund to your home/hotel within the three-hour deadline. Couriers on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Travel Club

Encore is the name of a travel club that gets members substantial discounts. Example: Whenever a member books a room he or she gets the second night free at more than 1,600 hotels/motels/resorts. And if the guest stays a week, the seventh night is a bonus too. Hotels are listed in a directory that’s mailed to all members. Other hotels give 25%-50% discounts on weekends along with discounted theater tickets, sightseeing tours. Other savings on car rentals, air fares, cruises. Details from Encore, 4720 Boston Way, Lanham, Md. 20706.

New England

New England is crowded with inns, some cozy, some ordinary. But only nine are described in the new booklet, “Great Country Inns of New England.” Each of the inns has received Mobil Guide’s coveted three-star rating in both dining and lodging categories. The booklet describes each inn. Photos included. For a copy send a self-addressed envelope with two 22-cent stamps to McKenzie Communications, 321 Main St., Amherst, Mass. 01002.

Reader Recommendations

France-Ruth and George Ruderman, North Hollywood: “Highly recommend L’Horizon Hotel at 50 Route du Creve-Coeur, 57100 Thionville, France. Located between Luxembourg and the town of Baccarat. Our elegant room with view and breakfast, only $43 per night.”

England--Richard and Tracy Oates, Garden Grove: “Reservations for two double rooms in a beautiful 18th-Century cottage in the heart of medieval Cinque Port village of Sandwich, only five minutes from the ’85 British Open golf championships at Royal St. Georges, July 15-21. Rate, $300 per person per week. Telephone (714) 636-8677.”

England--Eleanor Chislock, Lakewood: Enjoyed a bed and breakfast operated by Mrs. Julia Wirt, 24 Kendall Road, Beckensham, Kent, England.

England--Paul and Patti Gaede, Santa Ana: “A bed and breakfast in the quaint village of Mawnansmith in one of England’s most beautiful counties. About $17 a night. Write to Margarett Foote, Domala, Penwarne Road, Mawnansmith, Falmouth, Cornwall TR11 5PQ, England.”

England-The Weber Family, La Habra: Enjoyed a bed and breakfast, Ribston House, Little Witley, Worcester WR6 6LS, England. About $30 for bed, breakfast and dinner.

England--Janet Grant, Laguna Hills: “Found a wonderful tour guide (an ex-detective who will take you by private car for approximately $100 to $150 per day). Knowledgeable about antiques. Available for other tours of interest. Contact T. Lee, 3 Evans Court, Evans Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 2NX, England.”

England-Joyce Skinner, Los Angeles: “An ideal hotel in one of the loveliest coves on the Atlantic Ocean. Castle Rock Hotel, Port Isaac, North Cornwall PL29 3SB, England.”

England--Peter Gilliam, Indio: Cisswood House, Lower Beeding, Near Horsham, West Sussex RH13 6NF, England. “A modest 42 pounds for doubles. Gourmet restaurant, lovely gardens.”

Scotland--Beckie Wheeler, Carpinteria: “Heartily recommend the Colquhoun Arms Hotel, Luss, Alexandria G83 8NY, Scotland. About 25 miles northwest of Glasgow. Liked the food. Nice atmosphere. Hotel can arrange fishing.”

China--Alice Pollard, Pismo Beach: Has good things to say about three new hotels in Canton: the China Hotel, the Garden Hotel, the White Swan. “All quite new and very modern.”

Italy--Mr. and Mrs. Murray Kaufman, Santa Monica: “The Cipriani family, owners of the famous Harry’s Bar and Restaurant in Venice, have recently opened another fine restaurant called Harry’s Dolci. Food here is just as outstanding but far less expensive. Only four short stops on the vaporetto from St. Mark’s Square to Giuvecca.”

Germany--Joe Lynch, Covina: Discovered a “delightful inn” in Rudesheim on the Rhine. Rates approximately $10/$20 including breakfast. Address: Zum Grunen Kranz, 6220 Rudesheim Am Rhein, Overstrabe 44, West Germany.”

La Jolla--Doris Maxwell, Tustin: “Spent a delightful weekend at the Prospect Park Inn, a charming, European-type hotel, 1110 Prospect St., La Jolla 92037. Paid $77 for a deluxe room. Some street-level rooms for only $54.”

Ojai, Calif.--Mary Lee Greenblatt, Culver City: Enjoyed the Ojai Manor Hotel, 210 E. Matilija St., Ojai 93023. “We took a double, cost $55 with breakfast.”

Cambria, Calif.--Milton Eisenberg, Sherman Oaks: “Discovered a superb bed and breakfast, Plymouth House, on the beautiful California coastline only minutes from Hearst Castle at San Simeon. Address: 362 Plymouth St., Cambria, Calif. 93428. Telephone (805) 927-5195. A reasonable $55.”

Canada--Pozi Murline, Glendale: Recommends the Bairich Bed & Breakfast, 805-7241 Cambie St., Vancouver, B.C. V6P 3H3. Doubles start at $35, singles $30.

Italy--Cristina Quinn, Redondo Beach: “Pleased with a bed-and-breakfast villa only 45 minutes from the cities of Trieste and Venice, Italy. For $30 per day I was given a comfortable room and a delicious continental breakfast.” Write to P.O. Box 695, Redondo Beach, Calif. 90277.

Monte Carlo--Ken Frawley, Newport Beach: “Stayed at Hotel de la Poste in Monte Carlo for four nights and it cost a total of $60 with two friends. Included a continental breakfast. Baths are down the hall, but a small sacrifice for such a dirt-cheap stay. The room was average, the service was good and it was very clean. I strongly recommend it.”

Jamaica--Norma Ryan, Inglewood: “Must tell you about the tender loving care that was given to us while we stayed in an exclusive villa in Jamaica that was just marvelous. For information write to Villa Deja Vu Inc., P.O. Box 642, Harbor City, Calif. 90710. Telephone (213) 971-1415.”

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