If you don’t mind a little nip...

If you don’t mind a little nip in the air, Britain is bidding for winter visitors with a $399 round-trip air fare, LAX to Gatwick Airport. Can’t beat that. In effect now through May with the exception of Dec. 16-23. For an extra $100 the airline provides a package that includes hotel, continental breakfasts, airport transfers, sightseeing. This is a one-week plan. Or, fly Nov. 11, 18 or 25 and you can delay your return until May 4. Flights aboard wide-body 747s operated by Dollarstretcher, a subsidiary of British Airways. Contact Dollarstretcher at (213) 820-3535.

Netherlands

It’s chilly in the Netherlands, too, but you can get out of the cold and into a warm automobile for as little as $4.99 per person (two passengers traveling together) with KLM (taxes extra). Pick up the car at Amsterdam Airport or at the Avis office in downtown Amsterdam. Offer is good through April 30. To qualify, cars must be booked through KLM before leaving the United States. In addition, KLM and Avis have a one-night hotel package that includes discounts on diamonds. For their “Dutch Treat” brochure, write to Avis Fulfillment Center, European Fly/Drive Department, CN16550, Trenton, N.J. 08650. Request Brochure AS-722.

Holiday Bargains

For travelers wishing to get away for the holidays, hotels in several cities are luring guests with discounts. The Las Vegas Hilton is dangling a rate of $13.95 per person (double occupancy) or $22.50 single, Dec. 14 through 18 and Dec. 21-25. (Tax is extra.) Besides accommodations, the package includes free admission to the Hilton Showroom (Vic Damone). A couple of drinks. Minimum bookings: Two nights. Contact your travel agent.

In San Francisco both the Villa Florence on Union Square and the Galleria Park are promoting a $69-a-night holiday rate. The Villa Florence package includes shopping certificates in the Union Square area and complimentary drinks at a nearby restaurant. Valid Nov. 15-Jan. 15. Contact Villa Florence, 225 Powell St., San Francisco 94102 or call toll-free (800) 243-5700 in California, (800) 553-4411 nationwide. Guests at the Galleria Park will receive sample gifts from shops on Union Square, including Nieman Marcus. Offer is good Nov. 14-Jan. 18. Call toll-free (800) 792-9855 in California. Outside the state dial (800) 792-9632.

Meanwhile, holiday discounts are being booked by dozens of hotels in Washington, D.C. For a copy of “Holiday Hotel Packages” write to The Washington, D.C., Convention & Visitors Assn., 1575 Eye St. N.W., Suite 250, Washington, D.C. 20005.

Colorado for Skiers

A 100-page guide to Colorado ski resorts is offered free by the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau. Color photos. Details on more than 800 hotels/attractions throughout the state. Skiers will find travel maps and information on specialty lodges/restaurants. Also addresses, telephone numbers of resort associations. Covers Aspen, Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Crested Butte, Keystone, Purgatory, Snowmass, Steamboat Springs, Telluride, Vail, Winter Park. Write to the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau, Department S, 225 W. Colfax, Denver, Colo. 80202.

San Diego

San Diego’s Sheraton Harbor Island East Hotel has put together a family package with tickets to Sea World and the San Diego Zoo. Comes to $99 a night for up to four persons (value of the tickets alone is $84). A two-night minimum is requested. Additional nights figure out to $70. Offer is good Nov. 15 through Jan. 10. Tax is extra. The hotel features two swimming pools, a Nautilus health club, tennis, etc. Call toll-free (800) 325-3535. Ask for the Zoo/Sea World Christmas package. (Reservations required.)

Reader Recommendations

England--Bob Bevacqua, Newport Beach: Recommends Northlands Farmhouse, Ketches Lane, Sheffield Park, East Sussex, TN22 3RX, phone (0825) 790958. “Charming 16th-Century farmhouse just 25 minutes from Gatwick Airport. Centrally heated, oak beams and Inglenook fireplaces. Hosts Mr. and Mrs. Tony Frank extremely helpful. Rates from 10 per person per night with hearty English breakfast.”

England--Victoria Mee, Newport Beach: “Haydon House Hotel, Haydon St., Basford, Stoke-on-Trent. Charming and restful stop, gracious dining room, bar and afternoon sun room for tea. Lace curtains, porcelain soap dishes. $36 to $49 double, with flats and suites available from $82.”

England--R. V. Ory, Studio City: “B&B; well located at Hamstead Heath. Quiet, near tube and buses to central London. Charming family restaurants and shops around corner. Contact A. vanderMeer, 2 Kemplay Road, London NW3 ISY, London, England, phone 435-8679.”

England--Joe Wenkanos, Ventura: “Elegant English B&B; with panoramic view of city of Bath. Full hearty breakfast. Rates 25 to 32 for double room. Esholt House, Mount Road, Landsdown, Bath BA1 5PW, phone (0225) 312553.”

Scotland--Shirley and Don Kingdon, Los Angeles: “Teviotdale House, 53 Grange Loan, 50, a B&B; we found from your column. Linklater’s Eating House is just a cobblestone’s throw from the castle, 21 with wine. At Fort William, Inverlochy Castle, Torlundy, 120 if you want to splurge and enjoy the ultimate in luxury and service. Includes breakfast. At Portree, Isle of Skye, the Royal Hotel, Portree IV51 9BU, 46, includes breakfast. At Oban, Knipoch Hotel, Argyll, six miles from town, 79, includes breakfast.”

Italy--Victoria Mee, Newport Beach: “Recently restored by Perkhofer family, the charming Gabrielli Hotel on the Riva Degli Schiavoni has sun roof for watching boats as they sail into Venice. Alfresco dining room with patio has lovely fountain. $45 double with bath and a few singles without bath for $35. Hotel Gabrielli Sandwirth, 30122 Venezia, Riva Degli Schiavoni, 4110 Venice, Italy.”

Italy--John Brandt, Los Angeles: “Our stay was greatly enhanced by the Eliseo Hotel where we were well cared for. Elegant 37-room hotel family owned, each room individually decorated with antiques. Location on Piazza Corvetto gives easy walking access to most of Genoa. Restaurant on second floor with balcony for outdoor dining in summer prepared some of the best cuisine in Italy. Write Hotel Eliseo, Via Martin Piaggio 5, Genoa 1-16122, Italy. Rates about $70 a night double incudes breakfast.”

California--Jackie Penaranda, San Pedro: Recommends new indoor airport parking service on corner of La Cienega and Century Boulevard. “They use chauffeur-driven limos to transport to and from L.A. airport. Service is called Executive Choice, $8 for 24 hours. Phone (213) 233-9800.”

Switzerland--Mr. and Mrs. D. W. Anders, Marina del Rey: “Quaint, friendly and elegant Hotel Chartreuse, Huniback (on Lake Thun), CH 3626 Switzerland, phone (033) 43-3382. $53 per night with superb breakfast. Views are fantastic, lovely outdoor cafe with gracious service.”

Washington--Richard C. Bergholz, Pasadena: “Everyone told us Esther Watkins was the best cook around and they were right. From Swedish pancakes to Denver omelets, she has special touch with food. Commanding view of Mt. Baker, Willcox House is chock-full of high-quality antiques. $30 single, $45 and $50 double per day. Write Willcox B&B;, 1462 Larkspur Lane, Camano Island, Wash. 98292, phone (206) 629-4746.”

Washington--Merona and Marty Frank, Los Angeles: “Charming Victorian hotel in southwest Washington, about 160 miles from Seattle. Built in 1896, owned by David Campiche and Laurie Anderson, the Shelburne Hotel is a refreshing step back in time. Rooms with queen bed and private bath $76, rooms without private bath $60. Write P.O. Box 250, Seaview, Wash. 98644, phone (206) 652-2442.”

Canada--Mr. and Mrs. George W. Adams, Glendale: “Immaculate B&B;, close to Route 1, excellent food. Dorothy Chambers, 1170 Premier St., North Vancouver, B.C., Canada V7J 2H3, phone (604) 984-9846.”