This has to be one of the...

This has to be one of the season’s best buys: Beginning Friday you’ll be able to fly round-trip to the Bahamas for only $299. Weekly departures from LAX aboard the Bahamas Express. This is a wide-body jet (L10-11) that carries 344 passengers. Return trips on Saturday. See your travel agent or contact GoGo Tours, 6922 Hollywood Blvd., Suite 216, Los Angeles 90028, telephone (213) 467-4115, or Flyfaire, 6820 La Tijera Blvd., Suite 115, Los Angeles 90045, telephone (213) 568-8567.

Houseboating

How about houseboating this summer on the California Delta? As a bonus you get a private island. Some are heavily wooded. Each features a dock with a platform for swimmers. Go ashore for picnics, barbecues. Sunbathe, fish, water ski. Same company rents ski boats, fishing boats. The houseboats sleep up to 10 persons. One features its own penthouse, wet bar, stereo, TV, kitchen. Rentals start at $390 for three days. Write to Great Americas Houseboat Co., 6751 Airport Road, Redding, Calif. 96002, or telephone toll-free (800) 262-BOAT in California or (800) 323-BOAT outside the state.

Handicapped Travelers

Karen Hingson, a paraplegic, specializes in travel for the handicapped. She and her husband, Michael, who’s blind, have traveled to dozens of countries. As a result, Karen helps other handicapped persons to spread their wings. Does custom planning, arranges everything from pre-boarding service to assistance upon arrival at the traveler’s destination. Karen has a long list of hotels, condominiums that are equipped to handle the disabled. Contact her c/o Anyone Can Travel, 23131 Lake Center Drive (Suite F), El Toro, Calif. 92630, telephone (714) 770-4360.

Alaska Motor Homes

Alaska expects a record number of travelers this summer. To ease the demand for hotels/inns, motor homes are being rented in Haines and Soldotna. Haines is where you lock onto the Haines Highway that later joins the Alaska Highway near Whitehorse in the Yukon Territory. Soldotna (on the western Kenai Peninsula) is close to great fishing areas. Accessible by air from Anchorage. The motor homes sleep up to seven persons and there are campers that accommodate two travelers. Camper rates are $95 per day for a seven-day trip. The motor homes rent for $140 a day. Details from Motorhome Rentals of Alaska, 322 Concrete St., Anchorage, Alaska 99501.

Water Vacations

Patricia Gray specializes in vacations on the water. “Not just cruises but obscure and hard-to-find trips,” she says. Bareboating in Canada, Australia, New Zealand and ferryboat excursions on Alaska’s inland waterway as well as cruises in the San Blas Islands. Other journeys start as close to home as San Diego (sailing to islands down Baja way). Phone Gray at Firstworld Travel in Corona del Mar, (714) 673-7930, or at home, (714) 496-8317.

Student Tour

England on $20 a Day is the pitch being given by high school teacher Carol Silbert who arranges trips for students. The destination is Britain. Students move in with families in the London area. The price includes all meals, accommodations, sightseeing. Offer is good for July/August. Contact Silbert c/o Anglo American Family Stays, 2961 Lancaster Road, Carlsbad, Calif. 92008, or telephone (619) 729-0388.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts has put together a new vacation kit that’s top-notch. You get a 40-page booklet telling all about the state’s culture/recreation offerings plus a 32-page brochure outlining more than 800 attractions. There’s also a summer calendar of events. Write for the “Spirit of Massachusetts” kit, 100 Cambridge St., 13th Floor, Boston, Mass. 02202, or telephone toll-free (800) 624-MASS.

Reader Recommendations

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.

London--Carolyn Curtis, Tarzana: “London theater lovers can buy tickets right here in Los Angeles. Contact London Stages, 9763 W. Pico Blvd., Suite 100, Los Angeles 90035. Telephone (213) 879-4997.”

Garden Grove--Mardell Sherwood, Laguna Hills: Tells about a new store that carries travel items: Pack-n-Travel, 12534 Valley View St., Garden Grove, Calif. 92645. Telephone (714) 897-1360.

Santa Monica--David Bencke, Santa Monica: “24 Hour Travel Services, 1821 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica 90403, sells timetables, books, is open 24 hours including weekends.”

Ft. Bragg, Calif.--Mr. and Mrs. George Rhodes, Encino: Dined at The Restaurant, 418 N. Main St., Fort Bragg. “Excellent and moderately priced.”

Ojai, Calif.--Marie Chun, Calabasas: Praises the Ojai Manor Hotel, 210 E. Matilija in Ojai. “Six rooms, three baths, immaculate. Rates $65/$75, and lower midweek.”

Holland--Mark Valsi, Sierra Madre: “Enjoyed Hotel Nickle, Niewe Brug Steeg 11, Amsterdam. A charming, economical small hotel five minutes from the central station.”

New Mexico--Cynthia Esters, Beverly Hills: “Your readers should know about a place just outside Santa Fe called Rancho de Chimayo. Across the road the family operates a bed and breakfast. Write to Hacienda Rancho de Chimayo, P.O. Box 11, Chimayo, N.M. 87522.”

New England--Roman Caton, Laguna Niguel: Names two New England inns--Captain Lord Mansion, P.O. Box 527, Kennebunkport, Me. 04046 (modified breakfast, $69/$89 per couple); Barrons House, Dorset, Vt. 95251 (full dinner--outstanding breakfast, $126 per couple).

New Zealand--Jack Jungmeyer Jr., Encino: “Recently discovered a bargain in a land of bargains. Allan Jellyman of the Blue Star Taxi took four of us on trips between cities at a low price. A luxurious van, a delightful picnic lunch. Write to Allan Jellyman, 41 Forfar St., Christchurch, New Zealand.”

New Zealand--Mary Hendrick, West Covina: Enjoyed the 100-year-old Farm Mansion, Blenheim, R.D. 4, New Zealand. “Spacious rooms, electric blankets, pool, game room. A four-hour drive from Christchurch. B&B; with dinner and wine for $35 a couple.”

New Zealand--Vincent J. Gambino, Los Angeles: “A brand-new accommodation in Auckland. By far and away the nicest, most comfortable and hospitable place I ever stayed. Hardly seems like a B&B; at all. Rates: $24 New Zealand for a single, $34 double. Address: 36 St. Stephens Ave., Auckland 1, New Zealand.”

Italy--Connie Bower, Mission Viejo: She asks--”Does anyone know of an outstanding B&B; inn around Padua, Italy? Also Rome. Send any information to C. Bower, 26692 Valparaiso Drive, Mission Viejo, Calif. 92691.”

Utah--Shirley MacLean, Los Angeles: Says staying at the Seven Wives Inn, 217 North 100 W St., George, Utah 84770, is like “finding yourself back in grandmother’s house.” Antiques, country decor, private baths. Rates: $25/$50 double. Telephone (801) 628-3737.

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