One-week hotel packages for a thrifty $99....

One-week hotel packages for a thrifty $99. That’s the offer from a Europe tour operator. Figures out to about $14 per person per day, double occupancy. Accommodations based on superior tourist-class/first-class hotels with private baths. Continental breakfasts, service charges, taxes included. Cities range from London and Paris to Amsterdam, Rome, Venice, Milan, Brussels, Florence, Frankfurt, Munich, Vienna, Geneva, Zurich. Brochures from Travel Bound, 599 Broadway, Penthouse, New York 10012, or telephone toll-free (800) 223-6243.

Mexico’s $1 Fares

Aeromexico is giving the airline away. They’ll fly you to 19 scattered destinations for a buck a flight. There’s a catch, of course: You must pay the regular air fare between here and Mexico. After this, it’s dollar days. The airline offers the $1 flights to Cozumel, Mazatlan, Chetumal, Morelia, Oaxaca, Puerto Vallarta, Uruapan, Villahermosa, Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo, Cancun, Guadalajara, La Paz, Loreto, San Jose del Cabo, Manzanillo, Merida, Mexico City, Acapulco. No advance purchase necessary. No limit on the number of flights. Only one restriction: You must figure your itinerary at the time you purchase your ticket in the United States. From LAX, Aeromexico flies direct to La Paz, Los Cabos, Guadalajara, Cancun, Loreto, Manzanillo, Merida, Mexico City, Monterrey. Details by dialing toll-free (800) AEROMEX.

Insurance by Phone

Speaking of Mexico, a San Ysidro insurance broker has introduced a phone-a-policy service for motorists crossing the border. Instant insurance by dialing a toll-free number. Here’s how it works: First you apply for an identification card with the insurance company. After this, give your I.D. number when calling the office and a policy number will be issued immediately. (Motorists in Mexico must be insured or else be able to prove financial responsibility in case of an accident. That’s the law.) Write to Oscar Padilla Insurance Services, 120 Willow Road, San Ysidro, Calif. 92073.

New Mexico

It’s that time of year again. Golden Spike, the company with the private railroad cars, is planning a couple of tours to the Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta in Albuquerque. Departures Oct. 2, 9. These are five-night trips featuring Pullman sleeping accommodations. Included in the $595 package are meals while traveling, a hotel in Albuquerque and a tour of Santa Fe. Golden Spike’s train will include an observation dome/lounge car. Same people are doing a four-day trip to the Napa Valley (Sept. 26-29) for $395. Contact Golden Spike, P.O. Box 3429, Fullerton, Calif. 92634, or telephone (714) 680-5090.

Foreign Currency

Deak-Perera, the big money changer, figures the dollar has peaked. As a hedge against falling values, DP suggests travelers buy foreign currency now for trips they’re planning to take. An executive told us that Deak-Perera is anticipating “a gradual but extended decline in the dollar’s buying power.” To help customers earn interest on their purchases, Deak-Perera will place the funds in an interest-bearing account until the travelers are ready to take their trips. Contact Deak-Perera, 677 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90017.

Connecticut Hotels/Inns

Travelers planning to take in the fall foliage scene in Connecticut can write ahead (better hurry) for a free pocket-size guide to hotels, motels, inns, resorts. More than 175 lodgings listed alphabetically by town. This is in celebration of the state’s 350th anniversary. The guide lists addresses, telephone numbers, rates. To assist motorists, there’s a map in the centerfold showing major interstate highways, attractions. Contact the Connecticut Hotel-Motel Assn., 410 Asylum St., Suite 228, Hartford, Conn. 06103.

Reader Recommendations

Readers: In the future, all contributions to this column MUST contain addresses and prices to be accepted for publication.

Scotland--Norman G. Axe, Santa Monica: “A lovely restaurant with an excellent Scottish show, McTavish’s Kitchens, Tweeddale Complex, High St., Fort William, Scotland.”

Scotland--Lynn Shackelford, Los Angeles: Enjoyed Niblick restaurant at the Links Hotel, 1 Golf Place in St. Andrews, Scotland. “A full meal will cost less than $12. Near the 18th green of the historic Old Course.”

Scotland--Bob and Cathy Stenber, Huntington Beach: Enjoyed Auchterarde House, Auchterarder PH3 1DZ (near Gleneagles), Scotland. “A baronial mansion furnished with antiques. Beautiful views of the rolling hills. Six-course dinners about 20. One night’s stay for two people, including a full breakfast, costs 50.”

England/Scotland--Margaret Rehm, Vista: “A great bed and breakfast, 11 Railway St., in Berwick-on-Tweed, England, which is on the border between England and Scotland. About $11 per person.”

England--David H. Meade, Los Angeles: “Luxurious accommodations in a beautiful brick home. Rooms with private bath and full English breakfast, $20 per person. Address: Far Horizon, Long Hyde Road, South Littleton, Evensham, Worcestershire WR11 5TH, England. Half-day and full-day tours are available with chauffeur, guide service. Airport pickup also available.”

England--Stan and Gini Morton, Desert Hot Springs: “A clean, cheerful bed and breakfast, 1 Allergate Terrace, Durham, England. Rates are 8 per person per night.”

England--Dorothy Gabriel, Huntington Beach: Enjoyed the Poplars Hotel Moulton, Northampton NN3 1RZ, England. “A quaint country village only four miles from downtown Northampton. Room with private bath, excellent breakfast for two people was only $34.”

England--C. Hartley, Riverside: Lanscombe House Hotel, Cockington, Torquay, England. “Small and quiet garden hotel, room with bath and breakfast, $20 double. Dinners for $6.”

England--Mr. and Mrs. David Bishop, Los Angeles: “A fantastic B&B;, 102 Wells Road, Bath, Avon, England. A lovely restored Victorian home. Spacious rooms, a spectacular view of Bath.”

England--Janet Whitcomb, Orange: “A B&B; in the picturesque Yorkshire town of Haworth. It’s the Brow View, 6 Main St., Haworth, near Keighley, Yorkshire BD22 8DA.”

England--Sherry Terzian, Los Angeles: High praise for the Kleftiko Greek restaurant, 186 Holland Park Ave., London. Enchanted with the food, native dances.

Massachusetts--Dorothy and Bill Marston, Pasadena: Enjoyed the Acorn House, 240 Sea St., Hyannis, Mass. “A delightful bed-and-breakfast accommodation on Cape Cod.”

New Hampshire--Norma and Jack Granara, Granada Hills: “Enjoyed an exceptionally good lobster dinner at the Northgate Restaurant & Lounge, Route 3, Whitefield, N.H. Telephone (603) 837-9048.”

Holland--Nancy and Doug Brown, Glendale: “Enjoyed La Contina, Rokin 87, a charming Italian restaurant in the heart of Amsterdam between Munt and Dam squares. Authentic dishes at modest prices. Friendly atmosphere, attentive service, English spoken.”

Mexico--Phil Siegel, San Clemente: “A variety shop called Artesianias La Paloma (next to the tourist office) on Esplanada del Malecon at the corner of Independencia in La Paz. Giftware and apparel to offer from all of Mexico and at bargain prices.”

Germany--Leni Jacksen, Beverly Hills: “A most enjoyable hotel in the Black Forest near Baden-Baden. It’s the Monpetit in Vernhalt . . . in the midst of vineyards, a most beautiful view of the Rhine Valley. Cost is amazingly low--$45 for two with breakfast. Distance from the spa of Baden-Baden is about three miles. Also would like to recommend Hotel Alpenrose in Wengen, Switzerland. Paid $70 for two persons with two meals and suite with a balcony.”

Germany--Selma Pierce, Los Angeles: “Gasthof Gutenberg, 6228 Eltville am Rhein. Rooms with shared baths, king-size beds, down comforters run 58 marks per night including breakfast. Another family-run hotel: the Boddenberg, Wildenauer Strasse 21-23.”