If you’re looking ahead already to next...

If you’re looking ahead already to next summer, here’s your chance to join a seminar at a European university on a shoestring budget. Priced as low as $10 a day for accommodations, tuition, excursions. Chances good you’ll get a private room, we’re told. Subjects range from European cuisine and history to art and languages. Seminars will be held at universities in Switzerland, France, Corsica, Italy, Spain and Germany. One to four weeks. Details from the International Friendship Service, 22994 El Toro Road, El Toro, Calif. 92630 or telephone (714) 458-8868. (Note: Reservations should be made before Dec. 16. Enrollment limited.)

Mexico Cruise

If you can’t afford a long cruise on The Love Boat, the folks at Ensenada Express in San Diego will take you to Ensenada for only $79. Their 100-foot vessel sails Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from San Diego at 9 a.m., returns at 9 p.m. Gives you five hours to whoop it up in Ensenada. Seniors and the military get a 12% discount. Youngsters 4 to 12 sail for only $29. Shuttle vans ($1) meet the boat for the trip into town. For an extra $35/$65 (double occupancy) they’ll put you up overnight at an Ensenada motel. A continental breakfast is served en route to Ensenada. VCR movies featured. See your travel agent or contact Ensenada Express, P.O. Box 81823, San Diego 92138-1823 or telephone toll-free (800) 422-5008.

Eurailpass ’87

For the first time in four years, your Eurailpass is going to cost more. Starting in ’87 a first-class pass will be pegged at $280 for 15 days, $350 for 21 days, $440 for one month, $620 for two months and $760 for three months.

A second-class Eurail Youthpass will cost you $310 for a month, $400 for two months.

Starting April 1, a 15-day Eurail Saverpass for three or more persons traveling together will figure out to $210 per passenger. Meanwhile, the price of the Saverpass is $199 per person through March 31. All passes are good for unlimited travel in 16 European countries.

Airline Hot Line

Airline passengers with questions for the Federal Aviation Administration can call toll-free (800) FAA-SURE. Details available on a series of issues: security measures, child safety, carry-on baggage, etc. But the FAA cautions not to call with gripes about lost baggage, refunds, in-flight smoking, questionable fares and other complaints. Those are handled by the Department of Transportation’s consumer affairs office. Telephone (202) 366-2220.

Singles

We can expect a note about this time each year from Miriam Tobolowsky, the energetic champion of traveling singles. Tobolowsky is kicking off the sixth-year anniversary of her Partners-in-Travel with a special six-month membership. For $20 you get a newsletter, contact service and “an eight-page guide to low-cost travel called The Savvy Traveler,” says Tobolowsky. The Savvy Traveler comes in two editions--one for singles under 40, the other for travelers in the 50-plus range. For details, write to Partners-in-Travel, P.O. Box 491145, Los Angeles 90049.

Palm Springs Safaris

Glory Hartley and Marilyn Visel are back together operating their Palm Springs Safari & Executive Tours. They can arrange anything from hot-air ballooning and a Mexican fiesta to a champagne safari to the homes of Liberace, Kirk Douglas, Dean Martin, Liz Taylor, Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra and other celebrities. Other excursions via the P.S. Tramway. When doing theme parties, the ladies will provide a celebrity. Their list includes the names of ex-President Gerald Ford and other desert dwellers. Write to Palm Springs Safari & Executive Tours, P.O. Box 701, Rancho Mirage, Calif. 92270. Telephone (619) 320-4664 or (619) 324-3124.

Britain for Independents

Best Western International and the Europcar rental company have updated a map of Britain for easy motoring. Features major roadways, lodging, telephone numbers. Five tours are suggested for the do-it-yourself traveler. There’s one that takes in Best Western’s Copper Inn at Reading. Others feature mountain resorts and the Scotlands Hotel in Pitlochry. The motorist map of Great Britain is free by writing to Best Western International, Marketing Services, Fulfillment Order--Great Britain Map, P.O. Box 10203, Phoenix, Ariz. 85064-0203. Well worth the price of a stamp.

Reader Recommendations

France--James E. Twyman, Ventura: “Budget-conscious Americans in Paris will enjoy the superb traditional French cuisine of Le Joli Coeur, 5 Rue de Lanneau (5th arrondissement). Phone 43-54-15. Prices 54, 69, 88 francs (August), change seasonally. Delightful atmosphere, Latin Quarter.”

England--Dick and Pat Woodruff, Santa Monica: “A very nice B&B;, the Sundial House, 51 Milnthorpe Road, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 5QG England, $24 a night for two.”

England--D. C. Carver and J. Davis, Santa Barbara: “We spent five nights with hosts Ann and John Hughes and found everything to be perfect. The farm offers breathtaking views of the Cotswolds and the most modern of accommodations for $12 per person including full English breakfast and often evening tea. Ham Hill Farm B&B;, Whittington, Cheltenham, Gloucester, England, phone (02) 42-584415.”

England--Kathy Riggle, Claremont: “A beautiful and charming bed and breakfast with a fairy-tale English garden operated by Mr. and Mrs. Humes, Hall Meadows, Main Street, Haltwhistle, Northumberland NE49 OAZ, England. Price: $28 for a double.”

England--Jim and Beckie Wheeler, Carpinteria: “For $51 we got a beautiful room opening onto a patio with heated pool plus barbecue at Massetts Lodge, Massetts Road, Horley, Surrey, England.”

Montana--Karen Shumey, Santa Maria: “A great family trip on horseback with Continental Divide Outfitters, P.O. Box 462, Corvallis, Mont. 59828. Scenery gorgeous, horses terrific, great fishing. Family of four: $695, meals included.”

Pennsylvania--Mr. and Mrs. T. U. Buge, San Dimas: “An inn we stayed in as we traveled through the eastern section of the United States, Kame Manor Country Inn, 230 Clay St., Kane, Pa. 16735. We travel to many B&Bs; and we’ve placed this one in the upper 15%. Rates: $49/$138.”

Canada--Christine Shea, Sylmar: “A great B&B; operated by Ann Noga, 11742 96th Ave. Delta, Vancouver, B.C. V4C 3W7. Only $45 American per night. Skytrain to Expo.”

Canada--Judy Evered, Idyllwild: “Stayed three weeks this summer at a delightful bed and breakfast, 1995 West 19th Ave., Vancouver, B.C. V6J 2P2. Host Carter Maitland is charming, friendly, knowledgeable on Expo. Requests nonsmokers and no pets. Rates: $45/$55 U.S.”

Scotland--Rosemary Lalli, North Hollywood: Praises B&B; called Scorrybreac House, 2 Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, Scotland. Country breakfast great. $12 per person. “Couldn’t get over how accommodating owners, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholson, were.”

Hawaii--Nancy Thomas, Huntington Beach: “On a recent trip to Hawaii I fell in love with Gloria’s Bed & Breakfast, 4464 Lawai Road, Koloa, Kauai, Hawaii 99756. One night B&B; is a mere $50. Best-kept secret in Poipu! A sweeping oceanscape overlooking a rocky coastline . . . palm trees . . . white-sand beach. All the bedrooms have the soothing sound of the surf.”

New York--Nadene Rasmussen, Whittier: “Took the Riveranda river cruise. Three hours of superb food, magnificent New York skyline in lights. About $45 per person if not on a package tour. Tickets and information: (212) 929-7090. Meet the yacht at Pier 62, West 23rd Street and Hudson River.”