At last--an inexpensive canal boat trip in...

At last--an inexpensive canal boat trip in France. Atmosphere exactly like the others, only cheaper. The price: $290 for six nights. Includes breakfast, buffet lunch. Cheapest canal cruises in Europe, says Bill Forsythe, who describes himself as a “displaced Canadian who has found himself seduced by the most beautiful city in the world, Paris, and who is doing his damnedest to ensure himself a livelihood there.”

Cruises are offered till mid-October. Space still available. Forsythe calls his trips between Melun (near the Forest of Fontainebleau) and Auxerre “a cultural movable feast.” Five cabins with twin beds or double beds, private shower or bath, central heating. Bicycles for exploring the countryside. Other cruises from two to five days. Contact Forsythe c/o Hotel Boat Cruises in France, 10 Rue Nicolas Flamel, 75004 Paris, France, telephone 011-331-887-1337. If booking after Nov. 1, write to Forsythe at 6 Clearbrooke Circle, Rexdale, Ont., Canada M9W 2E3.

San Francisco

Besides dinner cruises, Hornblower Yachts of San Francisco is doing daily luncheon cruises of the Bay plus Sunday brunches: $24 for the daily meal, $29 on Sunday. Brunch cruises feature live music, Champagne. Call Hornblower Yachts at (415) 434-0300.

Baja Beat

The latest issue of Update from the Mexico West Travel Club is being mailed free to non-members. A listing of nearly 75 trailer parks on the Baja Peninsula as well as details on boat launching ramps between Ensenada and Cabo San Lucas. A membership of 2,500 families. Newsletters keep them on top of road conditions, fishing news, discounts on Mexican car insurance, hotels, trailer parks. For a free copy of Update write to MWTC, 2424 Newport Blvd., Suite 91, Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627, or telephone (714) 662-7616.

British Rentals

If you’re looking for an apartment rental in London, the British Tour Centre can help. Everything from studios to five-bedroom penthouses. 19th-Century town houses, sleek new towers. Choice of units with kitchens, telephone, color TV, daily maid service. Apartments at 64 Buckingham Gate have splendid views of London’s royal parks. Others close to Park Lane, Hyde Park, Bond Street, Piccadilly. Rates start at $530 per week for a studio. Contact British Tour Centre, 19 West 44th St., New York 10036, or telephone (800) 225-6577.

Washington, D.C.

Discounts are offered at more than 60 Washington, D.C., area hotels through August. Rooms costing $75/$150 reduced to $45/$75 per family. Others in Virginia, Maryland. For details call toll-free (800) VISIT-DC.

Week’s Best Buy

Sorenson’s Resort in the High Sierra (near Lake Tahoe) offers a fishing package that includes two nights’ lodging, four meals and a half-day fishing excursion for $98. Operator promises to lead vacationers to prime fishing spots. Write to Sorenson’s, Hope Valley, Calif. 96120, or telephone (916) 694-2203. Sorenson’s also does horseback dinner rides, conducts landscape art classes, cross-country ski trips in winter. A total of 20 housekeeping cabins surrounded by aspens. Gorgeous autumn colors.

Reader Recommendations

Colorado--Dale Harvey, Los Angeles: “Visitors will enjoy Grand Lake, Colo. Besides fishing, boating and water sports, this picturesque little town has entertaining summer stock. Known locally as the Pine Cone Theater. Performs three shows this summer through Labor Day. “The Ginger Bread Lady,” “Side By Side By Sondheim” and “They’re Playing Our Song.” Admission is $7.50. Motels, cabins in the area start at $25 double per night. Grand Lake is near the West Side of Rocky Mountain National Park, 15 miles north of Granby on U.S. 34.”

Colorado--Sally and Jerry Stember, Rolling Hills Estates: Recommend Sugar Plum restaurant, 1845 Miner St., Idaho Springs, Colo.

Boston--Nancy Flagg, Los Angeles: Tells about Host Homes of Boston (operated by Marcia Whittington, P.O. Box 117, Newton, Mass. 02168) that books vacationers into bed-and-breakfast homes for $37 single and $45 double. Other homes in Cape Cod and Marblehead.

Carmel, Calif.--Jocelyn Gilbert, Newport Beach: Enjoyed Anton & Michel restaurant on Mission between Ocean and 7th Street in Carmel. “Food was tasty, prices $15 to $25.”

Calistoga, Calif.--Mrs. George J. Loeffert, Yorba Linda: “A B&B; in a separate old-time bungalow with a private deck nestled in a giant redwood grove. Country charm. Sleeps two to five, fully equipped kitchen, continental breakfast. Rate, $75 a night. Contact Merle Holtzman, 1301 Cedar St., Calistoga, Calif. 94515.”

Washington--Frank May, Playa del Rey: “In Seattle a wonderful B&B; Victorian mansion, five minutes from city center on the trolley. Scrumptious breakfasts, real cotton sheets, snowy Brazilian towels. Sherry served from Irish crystal. Original art in all the lovely rooms. A lazy back porch complete with wicker chairs. A low $50 including all amenities. Beech Tree Manor, 1405 Queen Anne Ave. N., Seattle, Wash. 98109.”

Connecticut--Karen Van Dine-Di Marcello, Los Angeles: “Being a recent transplant from Connecticut I would like to recommend the Copper Beech Inn, Ivoryton, Town of Essex. My husband and I chose the Copper Beech for our wedding reception. Strictly for romantics. Has four rooms, but reservations necessary far in advance. Another inn I would suggest is the Old Lyme Inn, Old Lyme, Conn. Highly recommended for its food.”

Germany--D. M. West, Santa Ana: “On Lake Constance, Germany, the Hotel Seeblick, Neuhauserstrasse 14. Nice view of the lake and city. Food is excellent. English spoken. 10 minutes from center of city. Quiet area. Rates when I was there were about $10 a day.”

Denmark--Erna J. Lockhart, Los Angeles: “Visit Bornholm in Denmark, the pearl of the Baltic, a wonderful, picturesque island between Sweden and Germany. Journey by barge passenger boat from Copenhagen or a three-hour drive through the southwest corner of Ystad, then a three-hour ferry ride to Bornholm. September and October offer glorious autumn colors. A charming farmhouse B&B;, Strandly Arsdalevej 40, Svaneke 3740, Bornholm, Denmark.”

Switzerland--Robert J. M. Smith, Mountain View: “The Schul restaurant tearoom in Interlaken has everything an American in Switzerland is looking for. Good food at reasonable prices, delightful gardens surrounding the central park on the main street. The service was superb!”

Italy--Mr. and Mrs. Richard Rosenberg, Sherman Oaks: “In Positano, Le Agavi Hotel, Via G. Marconi-Belvedere Fornillo, 84017 Positano, Italy. Rates about $90 per day for two including tax and breakfast. The service, the hotel itself, the rooms, the food, the beach, the pool were splendid! Needless to say, we were impressed.”

Scotland--Bob and Cathy Stenber, Huntington Beach: Enjoyed Auchterarder House, Auchterarder PH3 1DZ, Scotland. “Near Glen Eagles. A baronial mansion all furnished with antiques. Beautiful views of rolling hills. Six-course dinners about 20. The Glen Eagles golf courses are a few minutes’ drive away. One night’s stay for two people, including a full Scottish breakfast and VAT costs 50.”

England--Paul Dean, Sherman Oaks: “I’ve been a 10-year fan of Self Drive Center of London. Reliable cars, rates less than the big-name agencies. Pickup and delivery to/from airport and/or hotel. And unlike the competition, Self Drive raises no hassle if you want to take the car to France, Germany, etc. Self Drive’s toll-free, 24-hour reservation number for American customers is (800) 828-8802.

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