Switzerland’s Gasthaus Zum Schiff is a 15th-Century...

Switzerland’s Gasthaus Zum Schiff is a 15th-Century inn on the Rhine--the centerpiece of a small village with a population of 72 inhabitants.

“Including the cows,” says innkeeper Ray Theiler.

Gasthaus Zum Schiff opens its doors March 1 and closes down the end of October. Window boxes flow with geraniums. Rooms feature four-poster beds. Woods and rolling hills surround the ancient, timbered building. Guests fish, hike, go boating. Prices start at $18 a day per couple, including a continental breakfast. Dinners about $7.50/$13.50.

Fewer than a dozen other dwellings make up this little village (it’s about 20 minutes by car outside Zurich). Guests awaken to the sound of cowbells, the voice of the river.

The address: Gasthaus Zum Schiff, 8460 Ellikon-on-the-Rhine, Switzerland. Or you can contact Theiler in Los Angeles temporarily by dialing (213) 471-3394. He’s leaving for Switzerland Feb. 21.

House Swap

This note from Scotland: “Would any of your readers who are coming to Scotland for their summer vacation and are intending to take in the British Open golf championship at Turnbury Golf Course be interested in an exchange of one’s home for a month or so? My wife and I and one of my children would like to visit the U.S.A. We are a working-class family with a clean and comfortable home and of good character. Our home is about an hour from Turnbury Golf Course and one hour from Edinburgh.”

Any takers?

Write to Charles Dobbin, 8 Bellisle Terrace, Hamilton Strathclyde, Scotland.

British Guide

Britisher Mike Stone has published a guide listing 266 small hotels and B&Bs; throughout England, Scotland, Wales. Stone inspects each property personally. Rates about 12.50 per person. Includes breakfast, tax, service. For a copy of Stone’s guide send three international reply coupons or $1 for the airmail postage (no checks or stamps). Ask for the “Good Guide to Bed & Breakfast in Britain.” Address: Guestaccom, Claremont House, Second Avenue, Hove, East Sussex, England BN3-2LL.

Study Tours

Now you can return from England and tell the folks how you attended Cambridge. (Should get you the spotlight at the next neighborhood cocktail bash.) Cambridge is on one of the programs being offered by the American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS). Other universities in Europe, China, the Soviet Union. An instructor plus a guest lecturer accompanies each tour. AIFS is in its 22nd year. Programs for adults as well as high school, college students. Tours from 10 to 24 days. The latter takes in Italy, Switzerland, France, England, Greece, a cruise on the Aegean.

Travelers signing up for the Cambridge program get time out for fishing, boating, golf, tennis. Excursions to London, Stratford-on-Avon, Woodstock, etc.

Students follow in the footsteps of Bacon, Wordsworth, Walpole, Byron, Pepys, Tennyson. For details, brochures on Cambridge and dozens of other progrms write to Kevin F. Morgan, executive vice president, the American Institute for Foreign Study, 102 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, Conn. 06830.

Meanwhile, Morgan is recruiting families at home to host foreign students coming to the U.S.

Motor Homes/Campers

Auto Europe will be renting, leasing motor homes, campers in seven European countries this year. Everything from modest rigs to luxurious models. In London, Auto Europe operates a reception center for arrivals. Sleeping, dining, laundry facilities plus a shopping center, currency exchange. Storage space for extra luggage while you’re on the road. Other pickups in Belgium, Germany, Holland, Italy, Luxembourg, Switzerland. Prices start as low as $197 a week with unlimited mileage. Note: Vacationers who rent a vehicle in Italy for 14 days or more get free pickups at the airport plus free hotel rooms the first and final nights. See your travel agent or phone Auto Europe toll-free, (800) 223-5555.

New York

It’s a free 70-page directory containing more than 200 hotel packages in New York City. Programs include museums, sightseeing, dinner. As little as $32 per person per night. Some accomodations with kitchenettes, free parking. Visitors take in Greenwich Village, Harlem, Radio City Music Hall, South Street Seaport, the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, the U.N., Lincoln Center. Copies of the directory from the NYC Visitors Bureau, C/O Packages, 2 Columbus Circle, New York 10019.

Calendars

California and the European Travel Commission are mailing thousands of free calendars of events to travelers. The California calendar lists more than 500 attractions. Everything from the return of the swallows to Capistrano to the 121st annual Highland Games in Santa Rosa. (Write to the California Office of Tourism, P.O. Box 9278, Van Nuys 91409.) For a calendar of events in Europe, send a stamped (22 cents) self-addressed business envelope to Major Events, European Travel Commission, P.O. Box 1754, New York, N.Y. 10185.

Reader Recommendations

New York--Muriel Minot, Santa Monica: “Near the historic Hudson, a quiet and cozy antique-filled 1907 Dutch colonial house. Very friendly hosts. Address: 67 Grandview Ave., Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570. Rates: $35/$45. Less than an hour from New York City.”

Kauai--Robert and Kathryn Lee, St. Louis, Mo.: “Lou Helser, pilot-owner, Blue Sky Aviation, offers the most complete, friendly, communicative, economical flights currently on the island of Kauai in Hawaii. The intercom is two-way. When Lou isn’t pointing out places, he cheerfully answers your questions. This high-wing plane makes extra passes for photographers. We paid $49 for the hour-plus tour (per person).”

Baltimore--Arthur B. Hogan, North Hollywood: “My wife and I want to call attention to the outstanding value and hospitality of Tremont Hotel, 8 E. Pleasant St., Baltimore, Md. Only 48 suites, each with living room, bedroom, dining area and kitchen, for which they charge only $115 a day. We got a weekend rate of $60. Location is excellent. Facilities up to date. A very nice gourmet restaurant.”

Ireland--David Treadwell, Atlanta, Ga.: “Glendower Guesthouse, 12 Dublin Road, Galway, Ireland (opposite Ryan’s Hotel). A great bed-and-breakfst spot at 8 (Irish) a night. Breakfast room with television for idling away empty hours. Host Freddie Smyth is a charming and loquacious ex-Dubliner. Conveniently located on main highway into Galway from the east. Travelers must make reservations personally.”

England--Peg and Ron Ingraham, Hemet: “A delightful B&B; with lovely hosts--Peter and Irene Hollingsberry, 12 Chiselbury Grove, Harnham Hill, Salisbury, Wiltshire, England. Complete English breakfast. Nearby friendly pub for great lunches and dinners. We used this B&B; as our headquartes for six weeks, traveling by train or bus to nearby London as well as the many interesting and historic areas of Southern and Central England. Rate: 8 a night per person.”

Australia--Helen Bauch, Glendale: “Recently returned from several weeks in Australia with a few recommendations--the Tam O’Shanter Resort, Mission Beach, Queensland, Australia . . . set in a rain forest on a hilltop directly across from Dunk Island . . . pleasant rooms with spectacular beach, tennis, swimming pool, restaurant . . . rates: A.$55 per night. Also, the Dolphin Heads Resort, P.O. Box 473, Mackay, Queensland, Australia 4740 . . . a new resort with a pleasant beach . . . rooms with well-equipped kitchen . . . rate: A.$40 per night. Another: Cloud Nine, Noosa Parade, Noosa Heads, Queensland, Australia 4567 . . . luxuriously furnished . . . rates range from A.$56 to A.$135 per night. Finally, a restaurant, the Crab Bash, 15 Sturt St., Townsville, Australia . . . dinners for around A.$30 for two.”