The thought that comes to mind when...

The thought that comes to mind when I fly is how the airlines avoid losing so few pieces of luggage, considering the mountain of bags they handle daily. With these loads it’s nothing short of a miracle that more luggage doesn’t end up in Kuala Lumpur or someplace like Billings, Mont. During more than 25 years of flying, I can recall only four occasions when my bags failed to arrive on my flights. There are rules to follow, of course:

--Be certain to attach identification tags to your bags and place other tags inside your luggage so if the outside tag is ripped off, the airline can identify the contents.

--Jot down only your name, office address and telephone number on the tags and not your home address. Frequently thieves study bags being checked at the airports and burglarize the owners’ homes while they’re away.

--Make certain the airline baggage tags selected by the sky cap match your destination. During peak hours tags with the wrong destination can be mistakenly attached and that’s when your luggage ends up in Cheyenne or Rapid City instead of New York and Honolulu.

--Don’t place car keys, medication, medicine or jewelry in checked baggage. These items should be kept with you in a carry-on bag aboard the plane.

A final suggestion: List everything that goes into your checked luggage. Helps the airline to identify your bags if they are misrouted.

Alaska Giveaway

One of the year’s best giveaways is the annual “Alaska Official Vacation Planner.” The ’87 edition (112 pages) contains maps, descriptions of destinations, addresses of hotels/motels, inns. Tells how to get to Alaska (by air, highway, rail, sea). Lots of basic information about fishing, hunting, camping, shopping. A calendar of events (page 30) describes month-by-month activities (sled dog races, ice golf, winter carnivals, a crab festival, a halibut derby, gold rush days, summer arts festivals, etc.). Dozens of airlines (both commercial and bush leaguers) are listed. Other reports on the state’s popular ferry liners, car/camper rentals, packaged tours, chambers of commerce. Besides Alaska, details are provided on Canada’s Yukon Territory. For your free copy write to the Alaska Division of Tourism, P.O. Box E-006, Juneau, Alaska 99811.

Baja by Camper

Elmar Baxter of Mexico West tells us RV rental companies won’t generally rent their vehicles to travelers going to Mexico. Baxter searched and discovered one in El Monte that does. An eight-passenger van costs $294 a week plus 14 cents a mile. A 20-foot motor home figures out to $258 per week and 16 cents a mile. Something bigger (33 feet) is listed at $480 a week and 16 cents a mile. Contact El Monte RV Rental Co., 12061 E. Valley Blvd., El Monte, Calif. 91732. Dial (818) 443-6158.

Wimbledon

You’ve got to be wacky over tennis to pay these prices, but here goes: Reserved seats (center court) for Wimbledon are on sale for $750/$1,350 a day for the ’87 season starting June 22. Besides admission, your ticket entitles you to a champagne reception, lunch, afternoon tea, refreshments at the club bar, VIP parking and use of the Wimbledon Club opposite the main gate. The 13-day tournament opens with Boris Becker (1986 men’s singles champion) and ends with the men’s final on July 5. Details from TravelTix International, c/o Humbert Travel Inc., 400 Madison Ave., New York 10017 or telephone (212) 688-3700.

Theater Tickets

Travelers planning to visit New York during the holidays can buy discounted theater tickets at half-price booths at 47th and Broadway and No. 2 World Trade Center. The 47th/Broadway office opens at noon for matinee tickets, 3 p.m. for evening performances. Hours at No. 2 World Trade Center, 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. (Half-price tickets for certain Broadway and off-Broadway shows can be picked up at the World Trade Center the day before.) In addition, coupons good for discounted tickets are offered by offices of the New York Convention & Visitors Bureau, 2 Columbus Circle, and at Times Square. For details call the bureau at (212) 397-8200.

Carmel at Christmas

Highlands Inn in Carmel is out to snag families for Christmas. No charge for children staying with parents but this is still no giveaway. Rates are $190 a night for the five-day, four-night package. For your $190 bucks you get a spa suite with a wood-burning fireplace, a complimentary bottle of wine, cocktails, a couple of tickets to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, use of bicycles. A tree-trimming ceremony is planned along with a cookie party for the kids and an eggnog party for grown-ups. Santa Claus will hand out gifts to youngsters and families will be given souvenir photos. Contact Highlands Inn, P.O. Box 1700, Carmel, Calif. 93921 or dial toll-free (800) 682-4811. The toll-free number outside California is (800) 538-9525.

Oregon Bridges

A slick new pocket-size guide describing Oregon’s 53 covered bridges is available free from the Albany Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Box 548, Albany, Ore. 97321. Covers Benton, Coos, Deschutes, Douglas, Jackson, Josephine, Lane, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multanomah and Polk counties. (Lane claims more covered bridges than any county west of the Mississippi.) A map spotlights each bridge. There’s also a series of color photographs. Trips through the covered bridge country take in farm land, forests, parks. A flashback to Oregon’s horse-and-buggy days.

Reader Recommendations

California--Phil Greene, Costa Mesa: “Gem of a hotel, the Circle C Motel, 6340 El Rey Ave., Twentynine Palms, Calif. 92277 has 11 rooms, immaculate, large and cheerful, most with well-equipped kitchens. Rooms surround attractive garden with pool and new Jacuzzi. $49 double per day.”

California--Fran Miner, San Diego: “Polynesian Motel, 433 Montecito, Santa Barbara 93101, phone (805) 962-1277 has spotless rooms facing lovely tropical garden and pool. Some units have roomy kitchens. Few blocks to beach and marina. Rates $60 to $72 double.”

California--Mrs. Janet Emery, Long Beach: The Foxes, 77 Main St., Sutter Creek 95685. “Min and Pete Fox warm hosts, lovely room with sitting room, private bath, meticulously clean, filled with antiques. Breakfast served in your room at your chosen time. Room was $65.”

New England--Anita Lees, Garden Grove: “This past October my 77-year-young mother and I joined an American Youth Hostel 14-day Fall Foliage trip in Boston. We stayed in hostels, cooked our own meals most of the time. There were six in our group plus a leader/driver. We traveled through six states or about 1,300 miles. Itinerary was flexible as we decided as a group what we wanted to see and do each day. These trips are for adults who enjoy camp-type traveling. Cost was $590 per person and included lodging, meals, transportations and some admissions to museums and parks. Write to American Youth Hostels Inc., National Office, P.O. Box 376713, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613 for 1987 catalogue.”

Austria--Mary Pat Dorr, Manhattan Beach: Hotel Opernring, A-1010 Vienna, Borsegassel, phone (0222) 63-6347 or 63-4353. “Owner Susie Riedl, an Austrian with second home in L.A., understands American needs. Rooms from $71 to $113. Also along the Danube in a post-card picture village is the outstanding guest house Sanger Blondel, A-3601 Durstein/Wachau, phone (02711) 253 with a gourmet dining room. $30 per night (210 Austrian schillings).”

France--N. and G. Macdonald, Rancho Palos Verdes: “Enjoyed a fine meal at Le Rennequin restaurant, 22 Rue Fourcroy, Paris. $65 for two (including medium-priced wine). Staff extremely cordial.”

Washington--Connie and John Thayer, Santa Barbara: “Genie Nault’s B&B;, 3498 W. Blaine St., Seattle, Wash. 98199. Great section of city, ocean view. Great food, warm, charming hostess.”

Canada--Elizabeth and Andrew deSosa, Northridge: “Chalet Luise is a charming Alpine-style lodge. Abundant breakfasts include homemade bread made from flour that Luise grinds herself. Winter rates from $44 to $51. Near Whistler ski resort, 75 miles north of Vancouver, B.C. Write Eric and Luise Zinsli, 7451 Ambassador Crescent, Box 352, Whistler, B.C. Canada V0N 1B0, phone (604) 932-4187.”

Canada--Randy N. Roth, Westlake Village: “Stayed at the Corbett House B&B; Inn, Corbett Road, Pender Island, B.C., V0N 2M0, Canada, phone (604) 629-6305. Very nice with warm, friendly country atmosphere, lovely setting, gracious hostess. Breakfasts included in the $50 per day rate were delicious and more than ample.”

Australia--L. J. Steady, Santa Ana: “If you’re heading for the America’s Cup sailing races in Perth don’t miss Bohemia. For $16.90 prix fixe (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, slightly higher other days), you get seven superb courses of continental food fixed to order. Place uninspiring but a great dining experience. Mirko and Liliana Andrijcich, owners, can’t do enough to please.”

Wales--Robert L. Henderson, Ventura: Ty’n-y-Celyn Guest House, Betws-Y-Coed, Gwynedd, North Wales LL24 OHD. “Superb B&B; with private bath 12.50 per person. Ideal location overlooking the village and within easy drive of all the sights in northern Wales.”

Scotland--Robert L. Henderson, Ventura: Braemoray Private Hotel, Grantown-on-Spey, Morayshire, PH26 3PU. “Located in the heart of the ‘whisky trail,’ this beautiful late-Victorian Scottish-style stone house with museum-quality antiques was only 7.50 for a twin with private bathroom. An additional 5 bought an excellent dinner.”

England--Charles and Maureen Marsh, Long Beach: “Stayed at Whitehaven Hotel, 34 Wilbury Road, Hove, Sussex, BN3 3JP England. Delightful, family-run hotel with outstanding restaurant and attentive, friendly staff. 24 per day per person for B&B; and dinner.”

England--Gladys Friedman, Oceanside: Highly recommends Claremont, 36 Wonford Road, Exeter EX2 4LD, Devon, England, phone 0392-74699. “Lovingly restored 1840 town house easy walk from bus station. 20 double with private bath and full English breakfast.”

England--Esther Wilson, Santa Monica: “Recently returned from England where we spent time in the Cotswolds and highly recommend a sightseeing tour run by Lillian and Stephan Brooks called Driveaway Tours, 136 Old Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, phone Cheltenham (0242) 513644. Rate is 55 per day.”

England--Robert L. Henderson, Ventura: Chiswick House, Chiswick End, Meldreth, Royston, Herts 2G8 6LZ. “Only eight miles south of Cambridge, this 15th-Century farmhouse is completely modernized. B&B; with private bath was only 12 per person. Also Treworgan Manor Farm, St. Erma near Trispen, Truro, Cornwall. A 16th-Century Elizabethan manor farmhouse on a working farm, three miles outside of Truro. B&B; only 8 per person, with optional dinner well worth additional 5.”

Switzerland--Shari and Nils Asplund, San Gabriel: Hotel Crap Ner, 7017 Flims-Dorf, phone 081-392626. “Immaculate hotel with cozy down comforters, lovely views from balcony, private bath with tub/shower. Friendly, helpful staff. Fitness room and large indoor pool helped to work off delicious meals plus a sumptuous breakfast buffet. Seasonal rates for double rooms about $40 to $55. Add $17 per person to include meals. Larger rooms and family apartments available as are all-inclusive ski packages.”

Switzerland--Dick M. Blue, Camarillo: “We stayed at Kurt and Helen Kunzli’s beautiful Golfhotel Waldhauus, 7270 Davos Platz, Switzerland, phone 08361131. Just a few steps from good ski slopes is an indoor swimming pool, sauna, solarium, massage and fitness rooms and tennis courts. We paid 100 Swiss francs in off-season and 130 Swiss francs for a double room (that really is more of a studio) in high season.”

Texas--Jim Traggis, Los Angeles: “In Fredericksburg, Tex., my favorite restaurant is the Hilltop Cafe, 11 miles north of town on U.S. 87. A former gas station and watering hole for farmers and ranchers, it’s been renovated by Johnny and Brenda Nicholas. A gourmet restaurant (keeping the gas station motif) featuring Cajun and Greek foods and specialties. Johnny entertains, playing piano, harmonica and singing in between hosting and helping take orders. Open Wednesday through Sunday 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Phone (512) 997-8922.”

France--Nancy Seufert, Van Nuys: “For those who like to mix biking and tennis with the French countryside, I highly recommend Brock’s Tours, 80 Old Queen Anne Road, Chatham, Maine, phone (617) 945-9687. Leisurely biking on eight of the 13-day tour, tickets to French Open, tennis opportunities at local clubs, many meals, first-class hotels, transportation and use of 10-speed bike for $1,350 plus air fare.”

Germany--Cameron Stewart, Fullerton: “Discovered a real jewel in the Hotel um Wessen Turm, Georgengasse 2, Rothenburg ob der Tauber. By installing modern plumbing and electricity, Horst and Angelika Semmler have converted this centuries-old structure into a comfortable, almost luxurious hotel. Rooms are spacious, tastefully decorated with full bathroom facilities. For about $10 each we enjoyed meals far superior to anything we had in Paris at much higher prices. Rooms 85-90 DM (less than $40) per night for two including breakfast.”

California--Ann and Dick Pack, Los Angeles: Garden Court Hotel, 520 Cowper St., Palo Alto, Calif. 94301, phone (800) 556-9595 or (415) 322-9000. Rooms have huge four-poster beds covered with soft comforters. Thick towels, wonderful bathrooms, feeling of luxury throughout. Rate $125 double per night including continental breakfast. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres in the evening. Restaurant to open sometime this month.”

Florida--Mary Middleton, Woodland Hills: Deer Run B&B;, P.O. Box 431, Big Pine Key, Fla. 33043, phone (305) 872-2800. “Beautifully furnished Florida cracker-style home of Sue Abbott (40 miles north of Key West). Breakfast served on big veranda overlooking ocean. $50 for private room with bath, $65 for large studio with bath.”

Vermont--Joe and Paula McKenzie, Ventura: “Highly recommend the Woodstock Carriage House B&B;, 15 Route 4 West, Woodstock, Vt. 05091. Lovely 1890s house, rooms clean and comfortable. Warmly welcomed by hosts Mike and Connie Muckle. $50 double included full country breakfast. Close to Woodstock and skiing.”

U.S. Virgin Islands--Dr. and Mrs. Edwin A. Phillips, Claremont: Recommends The Waves at Cane Bay in St. Croix. “Large, beautiful kitchenette/apartment with lanai, convenient to beach and excellent golf course, outstanding snorkeling and scuba diving. Right on water’s edge with beautiful sunsets. Winter rates $75 to $90 daily with continental breakfast. Write Betty and John Slander, P.O. Box 1749, Kingshill, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, phone (809) 778-1805.

England--Bronya Kester Pereira, Beverly Hills: “Dinmore Cottages, Burnt Yates, near Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG3 3ET. Owned and run by Bill and Jeanne Townend, there are four self-catering stone cottages adjoining owners’ 17th-Century farmhouse in Herriot country; 220 miles from London, 23 miles from York. Cottages sleep from two to five people and rent from 150 to 250 per week. Good restaurants and shops at Harrogate seven miles away.

England--Dr. and Mrs. Edward Ohanian, Pebble Beach: “Discoverd Rebato’s, a superb French and Spanish cuisine restaurant in South London. Excellent service in delightful atmosphere. Three-course dinner 20 for two. Great Spanish wines 5 a bottle. At 169 S. Lambeth Road, London, SW8 1XW, phone 01-735 6388.”

England--Gene and Donna Scarbrough, Anaheim: “David and Eileen Jeffrey are owners-operators of the Parkwater Hotel, a fully licensed residential hotel open all year with 50 bedrooms and eight efficiencies all equipped with TV, radio, baby-listening and tea-making facilities. Bar, coffee shop, restaurant, lounges, indoor heated swimming pool. Near promenade, golf course, four miles south of Blackpool. Write to 27 Fairhaven Road, St. Annes on the Sea, Lancashire, England FY8 INN, phone (0253) 725106.”