We’ve had several inquiries lately about bon...

We’ve had several inquiries lately about bon voyage gifts. Here’s a source: Well Wishers International (featured in Travel, 1981) delivers wine, champagne, chocolates, fruit baskets, flowers to ships sailing from ports in the United States, Europe, the Orient, South Pacific, Canada, Mexico. Some deliveries to hotels. Prices, $13.50, up. Well Wishers was launched in the ‘70s by travel agent Mort Walco (the ding-dong daddy of the Bye-Bye Line). Says goodby in any language. Sayonara, arrivederci, au revoir, adios, aloha. It’s all the same to him. Walco sells smiles, good will. Contact him c/o Well Wishers International, P.O. Box 22, Covina, Calif. 91723. Telephone (213) 967-5166. Or there are a couple of toll-free numbers. In California dial (800) 221-8940. Nationwide it’s (800) 423-6525.

Travel Accessories

Here’s the lowdown on another one of those mail-order companies that deals in travel gadgets. Ear plugs, inflatable pillows, money exchange calculators, money belts (for the waist, legs, bras, shoulder), luggage tags, travel alarms, sewing kits, folding scissors, first-aid kits. Diane Love promises to mail her catalogue free of charge. Write to What A Trip, 7240 Varna Ave., North Hollywood 91605.

Currency Guide

A Washington, D.C., company publishes a free foreign currency guide three times a year. Conversion tables for 24 countries. Information on import/export restrictions. The guide contains tipping suggestions for destinations worldwide. For a copy send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Foreign Currency Guide c/o Ruesch International, 1140 19th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20009. This same company handles credit card-size calculators.

Holiday Trip

A trip is in store for those who get the post-Christmas blahs. It’s a three-day spin (Dec. 27-29) north to San Francisco, the Napa Valley. Prices out to $215 per person, including transportation, snacks en route, accommodations for two nights, a couple of breakfasts, two lunches, visits to four wineries. Passengers will also stop at San Francisco’s Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey/Carmel. En route home they’ll do dinner at the Madonna Inn in San Luis Obispo. Details from The Learning Network, 528 S. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 201, Los Angeles 90049. Telephone Millie Newton at (213) 476-1267.

Smokeless Cruise

Non-smokers will be pleased to learn that Cebu Cruises is going into its 12th season with trips designed for passengers who have kicked the smoking habit. A dozen cruises, Seattle to British Columbia. Only eight passengers per trip. Duration, 8 to 11 days. Visits to islands, fiords. The ship anchors each night in a secluded cove. Opportunities to hike. Meals served family-style (no alcoholic beverages permitted on board). A float-plane trip is part of the package. Rates: $855/$1,170. Dates, May through late September. Contact Cebu Cruises, 1017 168th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, Wash. 98008.

Students

Budget travel tips and details on study/work abroad are listed in the ’86 “Student Travel Catalogue.” This 80-page guide describes work opportunities in Britain, Europe, New Zealand, Costa Rica. Names summer work camps for both students, non-students in Western/Eastern Europe, Scandinavia where free room and board are offered. Other sections deal with international rail passes, language courses, car rentals, trip insurance. For copies mail $1 for postage/handling to CIEE, Department STC ‘86, 205 East 42nd St., New York 10017.

Calendar

Japan Air Lines puts out a couple of attractive calendars each year during the holiday season. One features centuries of Japanese art/artifacts. Another pictures women around the world in native dress. Photos are 12 by 17 inches. A nice gift for travelers wishing to lock up memories of their journeys. The calendars sell for $8.50 apiece. Send checks (no cash) to Japan Air Lines, American Business Communication, JAL Calendar Desk, 251 Michelle Court, San Francisco 94080. Sold only through the mail. Delivery time, up to five weeks.

Reader Recommendations

England--Sheila McCallum, Long Beach: Enjoyed Guesthouse Twenty-One, 21 Charlotte St., Brighton BN2 1AG, England. Rates: $35/$50 per double. Also enjoyed Easturey Barton Hotel, Lustleigh, South Devon TQ13 9SN, England.

England--Martin and Margaret Bloom, Los Angeles: Manor House Farm, the North York Moors National Park, Ingleby Greenhow, Great Ayton, North Yorkshire TS9 6RB, England. Rates, 18.50 per person per nght for dinner, accommodations, breakfast. The food is superb.”

Wales--William C. Milmoe, Long Beach: Praise for bed-and-breakfast Nanhyfer Solva, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, Wales. “Overlooks unspoiled village on 500-mile coastal hiking/camping trail. Charges 12 per person per night including breakfast and dinner. Guest rooms, dining room, living room overlook coast and enchanting islands.”

New Orleans--Marvin L. Ross, Rolling Hills: Enjoyed Grenoble House, 329 Dauphine St., New Orleans. In the middle of the French Quarter. “These are 150-year-old buildings converted into 17 suites, town houses. Courtyards with flowers, shrubs, trees. Croissants from the best bakery in the quarter delivered to your suite along with a newspaper. Rates: $95/$160.”

Santa Barbara--Terry Trujilla, Los Angeles: “Discovered a superb restaurant in Santa Barbara, 1279 Coast Road Village. Called the Santa Fe Bar ‘n’ Grill. Great daily seafood, Cajun recipes. Southwestern decor, attentive waiters. Prices begin around $7.95.”

North Carolina--Mrs. J. S. Arvin, Rancho Palos Verdes: Morehead Inn, 1122 E. Morehead St., Charlotte, N.C. 28204. “A beautiful old house lovingly restored. About $49 single, $72 double with private bath.”

Hawaii--Ken Hayden, San Bernardino: “Love the just-opened Sheraton Princeville, P.O. Box 3069 Hawaii 96722. This is on the island of Kauai. Rates, $120/$175. Wonderful service, beautiful appointments.”

Germany--Pearse Leonard, Woodland Hills: “A very nice bed-and-breakfast place in Germany near Lake Constance run by Manfred Ley, Aachstr, 7772 Uhldingen, Germany. Cost per night including breakfast was DM46 per adult couple. Our apartment was approximately two miles from the lake.”

Germany--Dina and Alvin Rosenthal, Los Angeles: Hotel Nassauer Hof, Kaiser Friedrich Platz 3-4, D-6200 Wiesbaden, Germany. “Just minutes from Frankfurt by rail or autobahn. Baroque architecture, elegant furnishings, luxurious bathroooms. Faces the Kurpark Gardens with its famous gambling casino and state theater. Rates begin around $95 for a double.”

France/Switzerland--Peter Groen, Hollywood: Recommends three hotels--the Grand Hotel de Paris, 72 Boulevard de Strasbourg, 75010 Paris ($17 single, $25 double); Busby Hotel, 36-38 Rue Marechal Joffre, 0600 Nice ($25 single, $35 double); Hotel Tourist-Garni, CH3800 Interlaken, Switzerland (“only 200 feet from the railroad station”), $15 for a single without bath.

Italy--Esther Roth, Los Angeles: “A real find! Pensione Desiree, Via Fiume 20, 50123 Florence, Italy, 1 1/2 blocks from the train station. A quiet area. For a beautiful, large and immaculate room with bath, including continental breakfast, we paid $27 double.”