If you enjoy trains, particularly those in...

If you enjoy trains, particularly those in Europe, one of the fall season’s best buys is a ticket offered by Lufthansa German Airlines. Only $49. Good for unlimited rail travel (nine days) in Germany/Austria. Covers a huge network and is good through next March 31. There’s a catch, of course. You must fly round-trip to Europe with Lufthansa, but that’s an experience. On a recent hop (LAX to Frankfurt) I rang the stewardess for a glass of water in the middle of the night; she responded in less than a minute (which has got to be a record of sorts). The plane was immaculately clean, the meals were superb (too often airline food can be rated on a scale with McDonald’s or Burger King). But back to the rail pass: It’s available with any fare, including reduced holiday prices going into effect Nov. 1. See your travel agent or ring up Lufthansa. The toll-free number is (800) 645-3880.

Cheap Car Rentals

If you’re traveling on a budget, Rent-A-Wreck has produced a new rental directory. Lists more than 300 offices in 42 states (including Hawaii), Australia and the Dominican Republic. Plenty of low-cost used cars as well as new cars, trucks and vans. Rent-A-Wreck’s used cars are available for as little as half the price of new cars at other agencies. The directory is free. Drop a card to Rent-A-Wreck of America, 10889 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1260, Los Angeles 90024. For toll-free reservation information in California dial (800) 535-1391. Outside the state call (800) 421-7253.

For Romantics

A letter from Mrs. Pat Paugh of McKinleyville in Northern California tells about “a true lover’s hideaway” an hour by car outside Eureka, Calif. “It’s on a mountaintop overlooking the ocean. Features French gourmet cooking and has hosts that treat you like royalty.” There’s more. “Totally secluded from the outside world, we shared our Swiss chalet with only the hosts and about 100,000 acres of surrounding wilderness. A brook ran right by our bedroom window. I can’t say enough about the food, the congeniality, the ambiance of this romantic hideaway in the forested mountains of Northern California.”

In case you’re in the mood for a romantic weekend (or longer), contact Chalet de France, Star Route Box 20-A, Kneeland, Calif. 95549. Telephone (707) 443-6512 or (707) 444-3144. Rates (accommodations, all meals, beverages, activities) run $75 per person a day, or if you stick around for four days or longer it’s $5 cheaper. They’ll even arrange to pick you up at the airport in Eureka in a vintage automobile.

I’m on my way!

Capital Hotel

In a note from another reader, we’re asked for the name of “a luxury hotel” in Washington, D.C. My vote goes to the little Jefferson (69 rooms, 35 suites). Only four blocks from the White House. This is where ex-Atty. Gen. William French Smith made his home in Washington. The Jefferson has played host to the Walter H. Annenbergs and the Caspar Weinbergers. Others: Vivien Leigh, Katherine Anne Porter, Leonard Bernstein, Helen Hayes, H. L. Mencken. Hostess is the charming director, Rose Narva, who supervised the recent renovation of the Jefferson. Our reader insisted on a “luxury hotel,” so this one is on the expensive side, but worth it. Rates from $145/$235 single, $155/$255 double. Or there’s a $270 double occupancy special for Friday/Saturday that includes a bottle of champagne, chocolates, cocktails, breakfasts. Address: 1200 16th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036. For reservations telephone toll-free (800) 368-5966.

Boat Shippers

Skippers with private boats/yachts can have their vessels shipped to Cabo San Lucas soon by a company operating out of Newport Beach. A converted cargo carrier will accommodate 80 to 100 boats whose owners will fly to Cabo to meet them. Says Pete Maddox, vice president of Boat Shippers: “Traditionally, boat owners spend their vacations in the local marinas, cruising the harbor or going to Catalina. Few ever venture down to Cabo unless they enter a sailboat race and have a crew to return the boat up the coast. Now anyone with a vessel can fish for marlin in the Sea of Cortez.” Prices for the round-trip shipping of boats start at $1,500. This same company plans to offer scraping/painting of hulls while boats are in transit. Details from Boat Shippers, 2505 W. Pacific Coast Highway, Suite 102, Newport Beach 92663. Telephone toll-free (800) 422-8778.

Teachers Home Swap

Teachers have it tough. They get the summer off but few can afford to travel any great distances. A lack of money is the big hang-up. (My teacher son can attest to this.) But there’s hope. A trio of teachers has founded a home swap program that’s aimed to make travel cheap for teachers. You want to go to Florida? Easy. Just swap your house/apartment/condominium with a teacher in Florida who wants to visit California. This way the accommodations won’t cost you a dime. A booklet lists the properties. Organized regionally. Booklets are mailed out in March. Teachers find what they’re looking for, then ring up another teacher and make a deal. Costs $30 to join. Details from Teacher Swap, Box 4130, Rocky Point, N.Y. 11778.

For Skiers

Before long it’ll be snowing and skiers will be hitting the road. Getting accommodations will be the big challenge. Central Resort Reservations promises to come to the rescue. Properties in Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, California, Nevada, Wyoming. Places like Park City, Deer Valley, Aspen, Vail, Beaver Creek, Telluride, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Winter Park, Sun Valley, Lake Tahoe. Central Resort Reservations helps with flights, ground transportation, lift packages as well as accommodations. CRR puts out a tabloid called the “Resort Report” and it’s free (packed with helpful information). For your copy call toll-free (800) 635-4156.

Harvest Times

To get in the mood for the fall season, take a drive to Tehachapi where apples are being harvested by the bushel. You pick your own. Golden, Red, Romes and other varieties. This is at about the 4,000-foot level. Several motels as well as Stallion Springs Lodge with its recreational activities. For tenters there are campsites at Tehachapi Mountain Park, Indian Hills Ranch and Brite Lake. Tehachapi is a leisurely three-hour drive from Los Angeles. Take the Antelope Valley Freeway (14) north to Mojave and drive west 20 miles on California 58. Or take Interstate 5 to Bakersfield and go 40 miles east on 58. Other details from Roy Hartnett, phone (805) 822-4677, or write to the Tehachapi Growers Assn., Box 6205, Tehachapi 93561.

Reader Recommendations

Wales--Mrs. Peter Heller, San Clemente: Conwy B&B;, The Old Ship, 28 High St., Lancaster Square, North Wales, phone (04) 92-63-6445. “Owners Vivienne and Graham Fraser have remodeled this 16th-Century building and retained its old charm. Excellent breakfast. Cost, 13 per person with shower and private bath, TV and in-room tea/coffee. Conwy is a delightful old walled city.”

Italy--Paul Dean, Van Nuys: The Albergo Belvedere at Argegno on Lake Como is one of those small Italian hotels that Italians have managed to keep largely to themselves while surrendering the Villa d’Este at Cernobbio and the Hotel du Lac at Bellagio to American tourists. A converted 18th-Century villa at water’s edge, the Belvedere is owned and hosted by Giorgio Cappelletti and his Scottish-born wife, Jane. Their restaurant is the best in the village, without a concessionary American dish on the menu and with gourmand Giorgio a dinner guide to be trusted from pasta through lake trout to osso buco and gelati. And the Belvedere is striking enough to have been chosen by Ford Motor Co. as the backdrop for photographs advertising its new European convertible. Lakefront rooms about $50 a day per couple.

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