Sam and Penny Adams of West Covina...

Sam and Penny Adams of West Covina ask for the name of a bed and breakfast in Sacramento “with lots of charm.” We’ve heard good things about The Driver Mansion Inn, 2019 21st St., Sacramento 95818. Large rooms, tiled baths, Oriental rugs. And in case someone wants to pound out a few tunes, there’s a 1908 grand piano. Owner claims to offer his guests “the friendliest personal service imaginable.” Says, “We try to create lasting memories and good feelings.” He adds that this “is not the Beverly Wilshire Hotel--just a small, elegant inn.” Rates: $65/$125 a night. Guests chauffeured around town in a 1953 Rolls-Royce. Dial (916) 455-5243.

Cottages/Britain

Here’s another company that specializes in cottages in Britain. It’s called Destination Marketing. Represents more than 500 properties. Rentals from $250 weekly. Fully furnished. Accommodations for two to eight persons. They also do cottage/car packages. One listing called The Beeches is a short stroll from the ruins of Tintern Abbey in the area of the Wye Valley. A stream runs through the property. Three bedrooms, a stone fireplace, kitchen with electric cooker, refrigerator, washing machine. Priced from $369/$576 per week depending on the season. Contact Destination Marketing, 5250 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045 or telephone toll free (800) 358-9797 in California or (800) 858-1515 nationwide. In the Greater Los Angeles area the number is (213) 670-6523.

Note: For a new brochure titled “Bed & Breakfast Britain,” write to the British Tourist Authority, 612 S. Flower St., Los Angeles 90017 or telephone (213) 623-8196. Prices from $8 to $17 per person a night. Everything from apartments in the city to accommodations in farmhouses.

Switzerland on the Cheap

Ten Swiss villages have banded together to offer all-inclusive packages for as little as $35 per person per day. Includes accommodations in three-star hotels, breakfast, service, taxes, free use of public transportation, entry to museums. There’s even a sightseeing tour. Towns are Baden, Biel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Chur, Fribourg, Neuchatel, Sion, Solothurn, Thun, Winterthur. For a brochure, write to the Swiss National Tourist Office, 250 Stockton St., San Francisco 94108 or telephone (415) 362-2260.

For Art Buffs

Here’s an opportunity to drop in on artists along the French Riviera. You meet with them in their homes/studios (painters, sculptors). More than 40 artists are participating in the program. Some are internationally known (Tobiasse, Sosno, Castle, Nall). There’s a choice of itineraries that include St. Paul de Vence, Villefranche, Monte Carlo, Gorbio, St. Agnes. Others in Nice. Tours are limited to eight persons. You’re picked up in a chauffeured limousine or mini-bus, returned to your hotel. Contact Personalized Art Trips through Langcom International, 1801 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 640, Los Angeles 90067 or telephone (213) 277-2971. These same people do shopping, antique, fashion tours.

Finger Lakes

A new 160-page guide to the Finger Lakes area of New York is priced at $1.75. Lists more than 200 special events, attractions, musuems, inns, restaurants. Thirty-five pages are devoted to camping, boating, golf, tennis, parks, fishing, wineries. There’s a detailed map to keep you from getting lost. Takes in all 14 counties of the Finger Lakes region in west/central New York. Write to the Finger Lakes Assn., Dept. 6-G, 309 Lake St., Penn Yan, N.Y. 14527. Members tell us, “We guarantee you’ll find it useful and enjoyable--or return it and your money will be refunded.” The 2,000-member group has been promoting the Finger Lakes area since 1919.

Air Bargains

Unitravel Corp. of St. Louis, Mo., claims it can come up with the lowest scheduled air fares available to Europe. Tells about a low-season flight LAX to London for $269. Others from LAX to Amsterdam ($344), Hamburg or Munich ($379), Frankfurt or Paris ($299), Rome or Milan ($409), Shannon ($339), Zurich ($389). Pay 60 days in advance and save more. Company obtains thousands of seats at bulk rates, passes the savings along to pasengers. Same people offer cheap car rental rates. Write to UniTravel, P.O. Box 16220, St. Louis, Mo. 63105 or call toll free (800) 325-2222.

Jamaica

Here’s a good buy if you’re heading for the Caribbean. Fly round trip to Jamaica, stay in a hotel for six nights for $489. Air Jamaica flights leave LAX Fridays, Sundays. Starting June 12 a third flight (Thursdays) will be added. For reservations/information, call toll free (800) 523-5585 or contact the Jamaica Tourist Board, 3440 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles 90010, Suite 1207. You can reach the tourist board by dialing (213) 384-1123. Meanwhile, dozens of villa rentals are offered by Caribbean Home Rentals, P.O. Box 710, Palm Beach, Fla. 33480. This is a good deal if you team up with two or three other couples, split the rent. Some fabulous properties.

Reader Recommendations

Ireland--Margaret Thompson, Los Angeles: Attractive modern home near Larne with fantastic view of Antrim Coast. Charming Irish family whose hospitality and delicious meals make for a memorable visit to this beautiful area. B&B;, 9 per person. Write to Irene Moore, Glencairn, 2 Drumnagreagh Road, Ballygally, Larne, Northern Ireland.”

England--Helen Buckland, Del Mar: “For a total escape to tranquil rural England, I recommend a stay at The Angel Hotel, Midhurst, West Sussex. A river and a mill nearby. Scenic foot paths, miles of woodland. Food is excellent. My single room with private bath, TV, coffee and tea maker, full English breakfast, multi-course dinner with value-added tax included was 31 per day.”

England--Patricia Dillon, Los Angeles: Garden View Hotel, 12 Shepherd Hill, London N6 5AQ. “Room rates are 32.50 per night for a single. Each room contains its own bath, color TV, telephone. This is in Hampstead Village in the North London area. There’s a beautiful garden patio restaurant. The underground is nearby so that London is no more than 20 minutes away.”

England--Vi McQueen, Lawndale: For tours of the James Herriot area, recommends Ken Wiseman, Mowbray House, Borrowby, Thirsk, N. Yorks. Y07 4QL, England.

England--Mrs. Judy Lewis, Montclair: Recommends Church House Crafts, Lyonshall, Kington, Herefordshire HR5 3HR.

Los Olivos, Calif.--Dale Ellen Shumate, Beverly Hills: “Los Olivos Hotel in the Santa Ynez Valley is a little-known treasure. Views of rolling hills. Had a beautifully appointed suite with fireplace, hot tub. Furnished French country style. Swimming, riding. Epicurean dining. Just a coupole of hours by car from Los Angeles.”

Carmel, Calif.--John J. Doerrie, Los Angeles: “Dolphin Inn, 4th and San Carlos in Carmel. Coffee and sweet rolls in the morning with newspaper. They care about your coming back.”

British Columbia--Ann Drey, Monterey Park: “For reservations for Expo housing contact BABS, 400 W. Lake Samish Drive, Bellingham, Wash. 98226. B&Bs; close to the city, on farms, in the mountains. Rates $25/$35 per couple.”

British Columbia--R. E. Brown, Bakersfield: “Those unable to find lodging in Greater Vancouver, recommend the city of Nanaimo. Just across the Strait of Georgia. Offers transportation by bus directly to Expo. Contact Nanaimo Tourist Bureau, 266 Bryden St., Nanaimo, B.C. V9S 1A8, Canada.”

Mexico--Marie and Charles Comber, Marina Del Rey: Praise for Bay Club Bar & Grill, Zihuatanajo. “Excellent food, super service. Evening meals are in the $15 range. Located on Camino A Playa La Ropa.”