If you intend to travel overseas this...

If you intend to travel overseas this year, you might want to contact Access America Inc. This is a subsidiary of Blue Cross and Blue Shield that provides emergency assistance for Americans. When you run into trouble you call a 24-hour hot line. Access America puts you in touch with doctors, dentists, pharmacies. (They’ll also contact your personal physician.)

The company pays hospitals up to $10,000 per person or $20,000 for a family. Medical evacuation back to the United States is part of the program. AA assists with lost documents, airplane tickets. If you get into trouble overseas they’ll provide bail. Policies cover car accidents, trip cancellation, baggage loss. This same company offers coverage for trips in the United States, Canada, Mexico. For additional information call toll-free (800) 851-2800.

French Hospitality

A woman living in Chicago introduces Americans to families in France. You move in as a guest. (The program is called Friends in France.) If you don’t speak French, our lady in Chicago will put you up in an English-speaking household. In most cases dinner is part of the package. Some families serve lunch. These are optional choices. Costs a good deal less than staying in a hotel, dining in restaurants. In one home, guests are awakened each morning by church bells. The host plays French tunes for his guests, serves aperitifs.

Another woman who worked for Gen. Patton in World War II welcomes visitors with children (12 years and older). On the French Riviera travelers can move in with a couple with a home that overlooks the Mediterranean. These hosts are also fluent in English. Public transportation available to Nice, Vence, Monte Carlo, Grasse, Cannes.

Joan LaFontaine of Los Angeles writes: “I cannot praise ‘Friends in France’ too highly. I’ve kept in touch with everyone I’ve met and have been invited to return to each home as a friend.” Describes it as a “real find for anyone who cares to really experience France, rather than just visit.”

Write to Mary de Sevigne Newsome, c/o Friends in France, 886 S. Park Terrace, Chicago, Ill. 60605 or telephone (312) 922-7660.

Pedaling Professor

A note from our old friend the “Pedaling Professor” who conducts bicycle tours in Europe. This will be his 16th season. “I’m as enthused as I was back in 1972,” says the professor. He’ll be leading bikers this year from Amsterdam to Trier and along the Mosel to Koblenz, then up the Rhine to Bingen and on to Alsace and the Route du Vin Mulhouse. The trip will be broken up by a train ride to Paris. After this the group will bike back through the Champagne country, visit Belgium and wind up the tour back in Amsterdam. Riders sign on for two to four weeks. The price is $95 a day, including breakfast/dinner, hotels, a support vehicle. Contact Prof. Allen Zeltzer of Cal State Fullerton, 4041 Denver Ave., Yorba Linda, Calif. 92686.

Open Doors

One of Britain’s better buys is an Open View ticket. Valid for an entire month. Opens doors to dozens of castles, museums, manor homes and other attractions. Costs $29 ($14.50 for children). Includes a nifty map that pinpoints all the properties. The Open View ticket is sold by travel agents and BritRail Travel International in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, New York.

New York

A company in New York takes the hassle out of travel in the Big Apple. Plans your entire visit. Employs restaurant reviewers, negotiates hotel rates, works out weekend packages. “We help people explore rather than just visit New York,” says Ina Lee Selden, president of Manhattan Passport, 344 West 33rd St., New York 10011. Tells us that frequently her bargaining “more than pays our hourly rates,” which come to $25.

“We just plain make seeing New York a joy,” she says. MP will meet your flight, book your hotel, make dinner reservations, obtain tickets to Broadway shows. In other words, they’ll map out your entire visit. Do-it-yourself or guided tours. Personalized visits to Christies, helicopter rides, meetings with artists. Whatever’s your pleasure.

American Youth Hostels

A new trip catalogue is available from American Youth Hostels. Budget prices guaranteed. A total of 21 new itineraries--Alaska to Australia, San Francisco to Switzerland. The catalogue describes backpack trips in the Rockies, biking in New England, safaris in Kenya, visits to Munich for the Oktoberfest. Tours of Israel and Egypt--”from the Holy Land to the Nile Valley.” One trip titled “Europe on a Shoestring” is aimed at travelers with limited time and money. These are mostly small groups. Open to all ages. Hostels are used to keep costs down. Everything from a lighthouse on the California coast to a castle in Europe. For a free catalogue, write to American Youth Hostels, P.O. Box 37613, Department 860, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613.

Virginia Travel Guide

The people in charge of tourist promotion in Virginia have put out a new 100-page, four-color guide. Contains maps, describes destinations, accommodations, attractions in each of the commonwealth’s six regions: Northern Virginia, Hampton Roads and Tidewater, the Eastern Shore, Central/Southside, Shenandoah Valley and Southwest Highlands. Provides tips for the disabled and families traveling with children. There’s also a traveler’s check list. Copies available from the Virginia Division of Tourism, 202 North 9th St., Suite 500, Richmond, Va. 23219 or call toll-free (800) VISIT VA.

Reader Recommendations

England--Harry Sparkes, Oceanside: “Enjoyed a B&B; for 25 per night per couple and chauffeur-driven tours by recently retired Royalty Protection Police officer. 13 an hour or 95 for full day. Contact Tony Day, 50 Upper Selsdon Road, South Croydon, London, phone (01) 657-2543.”

England--Irene L. Graham, Glendale: Recommends “A. D. Turnbull, Doxforrd Farm, Chathill, Northumberland NE67 5DY. Beautiful old farmhouse in lovely surroundings, close to beach. Between Ainwick and Belford. B&B; for $10.50 per person. Lorretta Shays, Lodore, Warham Road, Wells-Next-the-Sea, Norfolk NR23 IJD. Comfortable, clean B&B.; Helpful hostess. $12 per person. Cherry Tree Farm, Menlesham Green, Stowmarket, Suffolk. Beautiful old farmhouse in quiet countryside. B&B; about $15 per person. The Venture Inn restaurant, Ombersley, Worcestershire. Excellent lunch, beautiful Old World building. Wonderful food for about $12.50 per person.

Ireland--Irene L. Graham, Glendale: Recommends Ashleigh House, 114 Station Road, Port Stewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. “Wonderful accommodations in this beautiful house near beach at Port Stewart. Excellent hospitality. B&B; plus evening snack for about $12 per person.”

Italy--Al Rosen, Rancho Mirage: “Mariani family, owners of the Hotel Astoria, Lugo Lago, 28049 Stresa, Italy, will make you feel like part of their family. Deluxe breakfast in lakeside dining room, private beach, cocktails poolside, well-equipped gym. About $75 double with private bath and breakfast. Suggest early reservations as hotel is popular with British and Northern European tourists. Hotel is open from mid-March to end of October.”

Italy--Richard Townsend, San Diego: “Hotel Canaletto, Castello-San Lio 5487, Venezia 30122, phone 522-0518. New, modern, comfortable 17-room hotel, ideally situated between the Rialto and San Marco on quiet street. 86,000 lire double with breakfast.”

Louisiana--Jean McGuire, Camarillo: “After several days of Cajun/Creole food, we were delighted to find Port of Call, 838 Esplanade Ave., New Orleans 70116, phone (504) 523-0120. Features three styles of hamburgers served with baked potatoes. Price about $5. Pizzas, wine, cocktails.”

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