More than 1,500 guest rooms will be...

More than 1,500 guest rooms will be available in private homes in France during 1987. Paris, Brittany, Provence, Burgundy, Dordogne, the chateau country and the French Riviera. Prices, $19.50 to $39 per person, double occupancy. Singles for as little as $26 a day. Continental breakfasts are a part of the package. Accommodations range from humble homes to villas and chateaux. In Paris alone, more than 200 rooms are listed. Contact The French Experience, Suite 1505, 171 Madison Ave., New York 10016.

Week’s Best Tip

This is a giveaway: a round-trip cruise from Italy or France to the island of Corsica, one week’s lodging, a tour and entertainment for only $99. From Italy you sail from Livorno or Genoa (Nice or Marseille in France). Shelter is provided at the University of Corsica. All rooms with private baths. There’s a swimming pool, tennis, gymnasium. The package is offered by International Friendship Service together with the city of Corte on Corsica. (Corte’s mayor is anxious to introduce Corte and his island to Americans.) Although the program is designed for students, anyone (regardless of age) is eligible. Dates: July 1-Sept. 15. Contact the International Friendship Service, 22994 El Toro Road, El Toro, Calif. 92630 or telephone (714) 458-8868.

For Nonsmokers

In its 13th season, Cebu Cruises of Washington is scheduling another series of voyages for nonsmokers. Only eight passengers, four staterooms. No liquor allowed. (This one is really for purists!) A choice of eight- or 11-day cruises with a return from British Columbia by float plane. You visit near-deserted islands, fiords. Chances to go hiking on several of the islands. Lots of wildlife sightings. Trips begin in May, continue into late September. Prices start at $920 per passenger (double occupancy). Contact Cebu Cruises, 1017 168th Ave. S.E., Bellevue, Wash. 98008 or see your travel agent.

Winging It in Britain

Sue and Ray Youell are promoting trips in England, Wales, Scotland. They call their operation Butterfly Tours. Budget rental cars are included. The Youells promise to “place travelers virtually anywhere they wish to stay.” Farmhouses, guest houses, inns. The package includes (besides a car) an Open View ticket good for free admittance to more than 600 historic properties, gardens throughout Britain. This plus a touring map, other helpful information. Your choice of six areas: Heart of England, Bath and the west country, Cambridge and East Anglia, the north country of England, Wales, Scotland. Optional stays offered in London and at airport hotels. Prices from $280 for six nights. For a free brochure, write to Butterfly Tours, Feeding Grounds Cottage, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys SY15 6TP, Wales, U.K., or contact the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles 90071 (Suite 450) or telephone (213) 628-3525.

Singles

After being frustrated in her efforts to locate a club for young singles, Wendy Stretten, a 25-year-old, has launched her own. (Says when she was searching for a singles club “the youngest members were in their 50s.”) Wendy describes hers as a “travel club for adventurers under 40.” For details, contact her c/o the Vagabond Club, 960 Elkland Place (No. 1), Venice, Calif. 90291 or telephone (213) 396-9580.

Meanwhile, Singleworld, the big New York tour operator for single travelers, is mailing its ’87 schedule of tours/cruises. This is a 32-page brochure. Tells about cruises in the Caribbean, Hawaii, Tahiti, the Orient. For a copy, write to Gramercy’s Singleworld, 444 Madison Ave., New York 10022 or telephone toll-free (800) 223-6490. (Singleworld’s travelers are divided into two groups--under 35 and “all ages.”)

Baja

If you’re planning a trip down the Baja Peninsula, get a copy of the 83-page “Baja California Road Log.” Contains information on the entire trans-peninsula highway, Tijuana to Cabo San Lucas. That’s where the road meets the sea at the “end of the world.” The log describes towns, hotels/motels, trailer/RV parks, camping. Contains a mileage log, maps, a conversion table. There is also a section devoted to language translation. Sells for $4.50. Write to the Information Office, Tijuana and Baja California, 7860 Mission Center Court, Suite 202, San Diego 92108 or call toll-free (in California) (800) 522-1516. If you plan to explore Baja, it’s worth obtaining.

Amtrak

Here’s one that’s free. It’s a 92-page magazine-size booklet prepared by Amtrak. Descriptions of each of Amtrak’s tour programs. Profiles on the various national routes. Information concerning on-board services, amenities. Tips on packing, service for the handicapped, baggage handling. Descriptions of tours ranging from a Columbia River Gorge trip ($9) to a 16-day escorted “Western Caravan” package for $1,775. Other information on rail/sail, rail/drive combinations. Many of these packages include hotels, meals, sightseeing. Copies available from your local Amtrak office or by writing to the Amtrak Distribution Center, P.O. Box 7717, Itasca, Ill. 60143.

Reader Recommendations

California--Ross L. Oliver, Palos Verdes Peninsula: Enjoyed Timberhill Country Inn and Tennis Ranch, 35755 Hauser Bridge Road, Cazadero, Calif. 95421. “Spectacular scenery on the Sonoma coastline on California 1 between Fort Ross and The Sea Ranch. Ten individual cottages with fireplaces, excellent tennis courts, swimming pool. Dinners served in lodge. Price: $220 a day double occupancy (includes three outstanding meals.)”

California--Judy Maller, Los Angeles: “One of the best-kept secrets on the Monterey Peninsula is Ocean Pines Condominium Vacation Rentals on 17 Mile Drive in Pebble Beach. Rates for these luxurious two-bedroom, two-bath apartments with fireplaces and equipped kitchens only $180 for two nights. Contact Mary Fowell, Garden Court Realty, P.O. Box 171, Carmel, Calif. 93921.”

California--Hugh and Cindy Schmidt, Newport Beach: “A new and delightful bed and breakfast, The Roseleith, 1415 Vine St., Paso Robles, Calif. 93446. Rates $65/$80/$95 including tax. For the L.A. to San Francisco driver, this is a good halfway stop. A lovely restored Victorian home. Tea at 4 p.m. (Only three rooms, so reservations advised.)”

Colorado--Harriet Wilde, Corona del Mar: Recommends river rafting on the upper Colorado River while at Vail. “It’s $44 for a full day, lunch and transportation from Vail included (discount if you drive yourself). A wonderful way to see the country. Sometimes exciting (but not dangerous) white water. Contact Joe Kelso, (800) 826-1081.”

Austria--Jane Mason, Whittier: “The Hotel Opernring in Vienna is indeed deserving of the high praise indicated in the Reader Recommendation of Dec. 14. However, the correct address of this fine, family-run hotel across from the Opera House is 11 Opernring, A1010 Vienna.”

Florida--Susan St. John, Glendale: “The Dolphin Research Center on Grassy Key, mile marker 59, offers a hands-on swim with dolphins in natural lagoons. Exciting experience to have two dolphins glide you through the water. $30 per person for swim and tour of facilities that also house water mammals in need of R&R.; $630 to study one week at their Dolphin Lab. Contact Dolphin Research Center, P.O. Box Dolphin, Marathon Shores, Fla. 33052, phone (305) 289-1121. Wow! We really loved it.”

Brazil--Kay Bild, Irvine: Recommends guide Alfredo Goldbach. “He spoke English perfectly, was most sensitive and considerate, knew Rio de Janeiro well, was punctual and trustworthy. He showed me interesting places which were not touristy. Rates are $100 per day plus meals or entry fees. Contact him at Ave. Copacabana 391/802, Rio de Janeiro, phone 021/255/5631.”