We’ve received loads of good comments about...

We’ve received loads of good comments about the French-style inn we wrote about in San Francisco, Petite Auberge, and now the same people have opened a second inn, The White Swan. We’re told The White Swan offers the atmosphere of an English country inn. Antiques, fresh flowers, individual fireplaces, private baths. Shoes polished each evening. Breakfast is included with the price of the room along with afternoon tea and hors d’oeuvres. Conference facilities. Rates: $115/$135. Address: The White Swan Inn, 845 Bush St., San Francisco 94108. Telephone (415) 775-1755.

Spanish Lessons

Summer classes are under way at the Center for Bilingual Studies in Cuernavaca, Mexico. This is a bargain for anyone wishing to bone up on their Spanish or begin from scratch. Tuition is $100 a week and you stay with a Mexican family for only $10 to $15 a day, meals included. You study during the day, practice your Spanish on your hosts in the evening. Openings still available for July/August. Classes start each Monday. Details from the center’s local office, 3133 Lake Hollywood Drive, Los Angeles 90078 or telephone (213) 851-3403.

July Bargain

Passengers flying to Britain July 20 with British Caledonian Airways will have an opportunity to visit London for an entire week for only $1. That’s right, one buck. The dollar deal involves a ground-tour package for the week of the royal wedding of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, July 20-27. Includes six nights hotel, continental breakfasts, transfers between Gatwick Airport and London and a sightseeing tour of the city. The offer is available by booking a standard advance purchase fare with British Caledonian. In turn, the Brits are preparing a big show for visitors in town for Prince Andrew’s nuptials. Should be a lively week.

London Travel Office

Several years ago the British Tourist Authority closed its London travel office. Travelers complained, so now they’ve opened the new British Travel Centre at 12 Regent St., just off Piccadilly Circus. Information on England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland. The staff will book hotel accommodations, sell you rail tickets, sightseeing trips, make theater reservations.

This same office deals in money exchanges, guidebooks, souvenirs. Primarily, though, they’re in business to offer free information about Britain. Says BTA spokesman Frank Kelly: “We’re dedicated to that old-fashioned concept of helpful, personal and friendly service.” Hours are 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Call 01-730-3400 with the exception of Sunday.

Rental Guide

“Four-bedroom, three-bath Costa del Sol condominium. Fully equipped kitchen. Enclosed garden. One block to beach, 10 minutes from downtown Malaga. Rates from $200 per week.”

This is one of the listings in the new “World-Wide Home Rental Guide.” Puts vacationers in direct contact with home/condominium owners. The guide comes out twice a year. Gives rates, descriptions of home. Permits you to deal directly with the homeowner, avoiding cost of an agency. I found one negative: Not all countries are covered and those that are involve only a few listings. My advice is to write to the publisher, ask if the countries/towns you wish to visit are included. Subscription rates are $9 for the spring/summer and fall/winter issues. Or you can obtain a single copy for $5. Write to “World-Wide Home Rental Guide,” 142 Lincoln Ave., Suite 652, Santa Fe, N.M. 87501.

Hotels/Japan

Finding a reasonably priced hotel in Japan isn’t always easy, but several organizations in Los Angeles are prepared to help. Your best bet for general information is the Japan National Tourist Organization, 624 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles 90017. Telephone (213) 623-1952. Others:

--Japan Travel Bureau International, 624 S. Grand Ave., Suite 1410, Los Angeles 90017. Telephone (213) 687-9881.

--Nippon Travel Agency Pacific, 611 West 6th St., Suite 2700, Los Angeles 90017. Telephone (213) 627-2820 or toll-free (800) 647-7664 in California.

--Tokyu Travel America, 650 S. Grand Ave., Suite 900, Los Angeles 90017. Telephone (213) 622-8168.

Leaf Peepers

Summer is barely under way, but already Vermont is sending out signals to “leaf peepers” planning to take in the fall foliage season. Vermonters insist that now is the time to make reservations. Once the season begins, it’s practically impossible to get a room. Leaves begin to change color in northern Vermont around Labor Day. After this the color moves south day by day. Peaks out in southern Vermont in mid to late October. Vermont is a symphony during the fall foliage season. One of the prettiest spots on earth. Leaf peepers can write for a free packet of information (state map, lodging guide, calendar of events) to Dept. R671, Vermont Travel Division, 134 State St., Montpelier, Vt. 05602.

Reader Recommendations

New Zealand--Fred Tschopp, Camarillo: “Had a unique opportunity to enjoy a home hosting service, which provides pleasant accommodations with New Zealand families. Write to Home Hosting Service, P.O. Box 5049, Port Nelson, New Zealand.”

Italy--Tiare Stack, Pacific Palisades: “Hotel Giglio, 85 Via Cavour, 50129 Florence, Italy. About $40 for two people. Large rooms with simple furnishings.”

Germany--Barbara Figelski, North Hollywood: “A two-bedroom apartment for rent for $600 for month of September in Offenburg. Near the Black Forest. Baden-Baden close by. Call me (818) 769-2662 for information.”

Germany--Mary Griesbach, La Mesa: “Hotel Landsknecht, 5401 St. Goar-Fellen, on West Bank of Rhine opposite Cat and Mouse Castles, downstream from Lorelei. Small, restful, fascinating place. Fine kitchen. Six newly added luxury rooms. Rate, 110 marks.”

France--Robert and Constance Peterson, Woodland Hills: High praise for Chateau Domaine des Hauts de Loire just outside Onzain in the Loire Valley. “Beautiful, quiet. Rooms were lovely. Service in the hotel and restaurant excellent. Enjoyed a lovely panorama of lawn, flowers, woods and swans swimming in the pond below the terrace.”

France--John and Kathryn Begosh, Camarillo: “Enjoyed the Atalante Hotel, Sainte-Marie-de-Re. Our room with ocean view and private bath was an unbelievable $33. Dinner was $15 for two, including a nice local wine.”

England--Sy Schulman, Ventura: “Of all the places I’ve stayed in the past seven months, I can safely say that the Lucieville Hotel, 349 Derby Road, Nottingham, England, rates as the tops. Bath with gold fixtures. Single rate is approximately $40.50, double about $60. Only nine rooms, so book ahead.”

England--Joanne Rox, Palm Desert: “Bidford Grange B&B;, Bidford-on-Avon, Warwickshire. On 500 acres. Paid $35 a night with breakfast overlooking the river. Exceptionally good food and charming hosts. Cost for four persons for dinner, approximately $50.”

England--Evelyn M. Bentley, Los Angeles: “The Boathouse restaurant in Farndon near Chester. Operated by an ex-veteran of the travel business in Los Angeles, Sara Sonego and husband John. Specialty is American food (barbecued chicken, ribs, burgers). Call Farndon 270-430. Sara will arrange for a minibus to pick you up at your hotel.”

England--Bert and Carroll Ofer, Thousand Oaks: Chesils Guesthouse, 2 Glendaragh Road, Teignmouth, Devon. “A warm welcome and a superb breakfast approximately $30.”

U.S. Virgin Islands--Sherry Ford, Hermosa Beach: “Enjoyed The Green House Bar & Restaurant. Address: On the Waterfront, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI.”