Jamaica is gearing up for the fall/winter...

Jamaica is gearing up for the fall/winter season with some tempting rentals. Interworld Tours lists more than 200 private villas. Available for a week, a month or the entire season. Some are on the sea, others face the Caribbean on a hillside. Many with swimming pools. Each is served by a staff of four, including a cook, gardener, housekeeper, laundress. These villas are spotted around Port Antonio, Ocho Rios, Negril and Montego Bay. As many as 10 bedrooms. One two-bedroom villa (private pool) rents for $849 a week, including a rental car and air fare from the West Coast. Contact Interworld Tours, 300 Washington St., Marina del Rey, Calif. 90292, or call toll-free (800) 221-3882. The toll-free number outside California is (800) 845-6622.

Riding the Rails

If you fly to Europe this winter with KLM, the airline will get you a $99 pass good for unlimited rail travel for nine days through Holland, Germany, Switzerland. The ticket is valid through March 31. Taking part in the offer are the Netherlands Railways, German Rail and Swiss Rail. In addition to the train offer, KLM will arrange hotel accommodations for as little as $10 per person. See your travel agent for details or call KLM in Los Angeles.

Big Bear

Close to home, Paul and Andrea Custer welcome guests to the four-story Knickerbocker Mansion at Big Bear. Wood-burning fireplaces. Five guest rooms, two baths. This plus a carriage house with four Victorian rooms, all with private baths, and a suite that sleeps up to eight persons. The Knickerbocker was built in the ‘20s by Bill Knickerbocker, Big Bear’s first damkeeper. Rates start at $75 a night in the mansion, $85 in the carriage house, $60 (per couple) in the suite. A two-night minimum on weekends. Paul and Andrea Custer schedule several astronomy weekends with a lecturer from Griffith Observatory. The Knickerbocker also features moonlight hayrides. Hot gingerbread and apple cider served by the fireplace. For reservations write to P.O. Box 3361, Big Bear Lake 92315, or telephone (714) 866-8221.

Skiers

Resorts, lodges, condominiums in seven Western states are represented by Central Report Reservations in Sun Valley, Ida. This same company can arrange for lift tickets, ground transfers, sleigh/balloon/glider rides. There’s an 800 number to call. Operators provide “unbiased information” concerning lodges, resorts, condos, says CRR. Callers are supplied with loads of literature. Central Resort Reservations publishes a tabloid-size newspaper that describes Park City and Deer Valley in Utah; Sun Valley and Ultimate in Idaho; Mt. Bachelor, Ore.; Lake Tahoe, Calif.; Jackson Hole, Wyo., and the following ski destinations in Colorado: Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Winter Park. For a free copy call toll-free (800) 635-4156.

For Dreamers

Even if you can’t afford to travel to all those exotic spots you read about around the world, you can dream. Dozens of storybook adventures are listed in the 1987 catalogue by Mountain Travel. Descriptions of journeys to 50 countries on all seven continents. Trips by foot, Jeep, elephant, camel. In Borneo there’s a 20-day hike up Mt. Kinabulu plus travel by longboat to visit Stone Age tribes. Mountain Travel tells of a cruise around the island of Spitsbergen (only 170 miles from the North Pole) aboard a 70-foot ketch. Opportunities to photograph polar bears, reindeer. Other journeys to Nepal, North Africa, China, South America, India, New Guinea, Borneo, Japan, New Zealand, Britain, Europe. For a free copy of the catalogue write to Mountain Travel, 1398 Solano Ave., Albany, Calif. 94706.

Freighter Cruise

Here’s an unusual new freighter cruise. The Chilcotin Princess will sail year-round to dozens of logging camps, Indian fishing villages on a 1,200-mile route from Vancouver, B.C., beginning in February. These are six-day trips. Twelve passengers in six deluxe cabins with picture windows, bath/shower facilities. A special introductory fare of $547 in February. No age limit for passengers sailing on the Chilcotin Princess. For details contact World Freighter Cruises, 180 S. Lake St., Suite 335, Pasadena 91101, or telephone (818) 449-3106.

San Francisco on the Cheap

Al Garfield of Pacoima asks for the name of an inexpensive hotel in San Francisco. Try The Adelaide Inn (5 Adelaide Place, San Francisco 94102). Not elegant, but clean, cheap. Sixteen rooms. Shared baths. Known as “San Francisco’s unique European pensione.” Rates from $26 single, $30 double including a continental breakfast. Convenient to downtown San Francisco. Only two blocks off Union Square (between Geary and Post streets.). For reservations call (415) 441-2261. Ask for Serge, formerly with the Mayflower Hotel in Los Angeles.

Reader Recommendations

Vermont--Norma and Rex Binmore, Anaheim: Enjoyed the 156-year-old Inn on the Green. Route 100, P.O. Box 104, Weston, Vt. 05161. Rates: $55/$70.

Jamaica--A. W. Miller, Los Angeles: “A great and affordable hotel, Verney House, 3 Leader Ave., Montego Bay, Jamaica. Rates: $24 per night single, $30 double. Situated on a hillside five minutes by car to the beach or shopping. Air-conditioned rooms, swimming pool.”

Colorado--Sam and Pat Nicholson, La Crescenta: “In Colorado discovered a delightful small restaurant called Lizzie Greer’s Parlor, Box 1024, Georgetown, Colo. 80444. Superb food. Absolutely marvelous!”

New Zealand--Ellie and George Herr, Playa del Rey: “Mount Cook Lines offers a Fun Bus ride to the far north end of the North Island. Bus will pick you up at your hotel or RV park early in the morning and deliver you back that evening. Cost is $44 per person. That includes sightseeing, a barbecue on the beach. This is truly a full day of fun with over 100 miles of New Zealand countryside in full view and someone else doing the driving. For information call (0885) 27811, Bay of Islands.”

England--Robert A. Lerner, San Diego: Enjoyed Botham Bar Hotel, 4 High Petergate, York YO1 2EH, England. Double room with breakfast, $45.

England--Theresa M. Sampson, Los Angeles: Praises four restaurants in England: The Next Door, 55 Clerkenwell Close, London; Lilly’s, 6 Clarendon Road, London; The Shahnaz of Kensington, 9/10 Troy Court, Phillimore Gardens, London; Clos Du Roy, 7 Edgar Buildings, George Street, Bath.

England--Martha and Eric Tellenbach, Glendora: “Recommend The White Swan Hotel, Market Place, Pickering, North Yorkshire. Family-run. Rates from 10.”

England--Kenneth and Ruth Grace, Hawthorne: Enjoyed Acorn Lodge, Turners Hill Road, East Grinstead, West Sussex, England. Rate, $21.75 per person. Also recommend Golygfa at Maen Coch, Caernarfon, North Wales. Paid $12 per person for bed and breakfast.

England--Mae C. Ingram, Carlsbad: “Barclay Lodge, 19 Gillygate, York, England. Rate is 25 a night for two persons. We had a beautiful time there.”

England--Jacqueline J. Byram, Sierra Madre: “Delighted with the Jenny Wren B&B;, 1 Hogshill St., Beaminster in Dorset, England. Paid $14 per person for a delightful room and a generous breakfast.”

England--Norma Nickerson, Canoga Park: Praises a B&B; called Chimneys Field Wood near Crawley, West Sussex RH11 OLE, England. Singles 17.50, doubles 26.

England--Dan and Shirley Nelson, Topanga: “Highly recommend Teeside B&B;, 2 Burn View Bude, Cornwall EX23 8BY. Rate: 15.”

England--Darrell Smith, Culver City: Describes the Snailham House, Broad Street, Icklesham, Winchelsea, East Sussex, England, as “an outstanding bargain. Rates start at 9.50.”

England--Bettyjane Poage, San Diego: “My favorite B&B; in England is a 1740 Georgian house in a tiny village in a suburb of Bath. It’s called Fern Cottage, 9 N. End, Batheaston, Bath BA1 7EE, England. Prices from $24.”

England--Mona and Roy Hundleby, British Columbia: Recommend a couple of B&Bs; in England--Weston Super Mare, 352 Locking Road, Weston, England. Paid 6.50 per night. The other is at 7 Cleveland Road, Torquay TQ2 5BD, England. “Away from busy streets but within walking distance to town and beaches. Paid 8 plus 4 for the evening meal.”

England--Clara and Hal Hartsough, South Pasadena: “Enjoyed East Bridge Country Guesthouse, Bridge Hill, Bridge, Canterbury CT4 5AS, England. Just five minutes from the historic city of Canterbury. A pretty village overlooking beautiful countryside. An 18th-Century, two-story dairy farmhouse. Our attractive double room with adjoining bath was 13 per person.”

England--Kenneth H. Grace, Hawthorne: “Spent two evenings at a charming B&B; overlooking the rolling hills of Windrush Valley, a half-mile from town of Burford near Oxford on the 140 route. Rates: $15 per person. Address is St. Andrews B&B;, Burford, Oxfordshire.”

New Hampshire--Selma Fane, Encino: “Sugar Hill Inn, Route 17, Franconia, N.H. 03580, a charming, clean inn. Rates $35 per person, including breakfast.”

New England--J. W. Smith, Laguna Niguel: “Two special B&Bs.; Halewood House, P.O. Box 345, Concord, Mass. 01742 ($45 single, $50 double) and Green Meadows, Box 1300, Mt. Philco Road, Charlotte, Vt. 05445 ($25 single, $30 double).”

California--Bill and Suzanne Rugles, Newport Beach: “The most wonderful B&B; in California, Bluebell House, 263 S. State Highway, P.O. Box 2177, Lake Snowhead, Calif. 92352 (less than two hours from Los Angeles). Prices a moderate $60/$75.”

California--Norma Stern, Vista: “Readers are missing a bet if they don’t go to Gold Mountain Manor, 1117 Anita St., Big Bear City. Rates $65/$125.”

California--Josephine Stuart, San Jose: “An art gallery of extraordinary excellence, Cambria Coast Galley, 6100 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, Calif. Rivals that of many large cities.”

California--Rick O’Leary, Tarzana--Praises the White Swan Inn, 845 Bush St., San Francisco 94108. Antiques, flowers. “Oh, so comfortble! Rates, $115/$135.”

California: “Stayed at Hotel La Rose, 308 Wilson St., Santa Rosa, Calif. Felt like I was in a private home. Rates $68/$110.”

California--Charles W. Underwood, Oxnard: “A new romantic getaway, The Inn at Two Twenty Two, 222 W. Valerio, Santa Barbara 93101. Rates $90/$140.”

California--Esther A. Privbett, Deer Harbor, Wash.: “A B&B;, the Edgemont, 1955 Edgemont St., San Diego 92102. Rates from $55. This is a nearly 100-year-old home.”

Kansas--Jan Holmpriest, Pacific Palisades: “An English-style B&B;, 3910 Easy Kellog, Witchita, Kan. 67218. Rates from $45.”

Montana--Hugh Smith, Santa Ana: “Highly recommend a stay at the Lincoln Hotel, 2520 1st Ave., Billings, Mont. 59101. Rates starting at $39.95.”

New Mexico--Burks Hamner, Los Angeles: “A terrific place to have breakfast, Grant Corner Inn, 122 Grant Ave., Santa Fe, N.M. 87501.”

Minnesota--Shelley Adler, Los Angeles: Chatsworth B&B;, 984 Ashland Ave., Saint Paul, Minn. 55104. Rates from $38.

Arizona--Stan and Marcia Segal, Westlake Village: “A marvelous B&B; five miles from the center of Flagstaff, Walking LL Ranch, RR4, Box 721-B, Flagstaff 96001. Rates, $25 single/$45 double.”

Washington--Sandi Sodolski, South Pasadena: Recommends Clipper Navigation, 1301 Alaskan Way, Seattle, Wash. 98101. “Rode jet-propelled catamaran from Victoria to Seattle. Trip is 2 1/2 hours. Rates $29 (U.S.) one way, $45 round trip. Can’t recommend it too highly. It’s brand spanking new.”

Washington--Sally M. Runolfsson, Los Angeles: “A great B&B;, Snug Hollow, 2824 Wills, Bellingham, Wash. 98225. Surrounded by big pines and cedar, $50 for two.”

Pennsylvania--Evelyn P. Borden, Woodland Hills: Praise for Shady Elms Farm B&B;, Box 188, R.D. 1, Hickory, Pa. 15340. “A short distance off State Route 18 in Washington County. Rates $30 single, $35 double.”

Idaho--Sandy Comstock, Manhattan Beach: “Steven Shephard’s Salmon River Outfitters, P.O. Box 1751, McCall, Ida. 83638, has elevated camping to a fine art. They provide everything but your clothes and personal items.”

U.S. Virgin Islands--Briggy Bubowski, Port Hueneme: “A private home, The Metcale, Mamey Mtn., St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands 00830. Rates $700 a week for two persons, $25 for each extra guest.”

Ireland--Thada and John Davis, Irvine: “Mrs. O’Byrne’s Elysium, Herb Farm, Tragumna Road, Skibereen, County Cork, Ireland. Around $30 for two with breakfast.”

France--Caddis Robinette, Los Angeles: “Enjoyed a restaurant in Paris, the Royal Opera, 19 Ave. de L’Opera. Food was superb. Meals for two including wine ran in the neighborhood of $50.”

France--Ted and Ann Smolenski, Whittier: Hotel Marena, 27 Rue de la Tour d’Auvergne, 75009 Paris. “Excellent rooms $40/$65.”

Spain--Robert and Gloria Lee, Redlands: “Our favorite pension in Spain was Hostal Principado, Zorilla 7, Madrid. An absolutely clean room with private bath for three persons, $22.50.”

Canada--Dorothy L. Hay, Arcadia: A B&B;, 6131 Canim Place, Richmond, B.C. V7C 329, Canada. About seven miles south of Expo. “Paid $22 per night with breakfast.”

Reader Recommendations should be brief (typewritten or printed). Cannot be used without prices and addresses. Please, no brochures.