Tucson’s visitors bureau has produced a slick,...

Tucson’s visitors bureau has produced a slick, 76-page magazine that’s packed with details on Tucson and surrounding areas. Tells about accommodations (resorts, guest ranches, B&Bs;), transportation (airlines, car rentals, bus system, limousine services), day trips (to Nogales, Bisbee, Tumacacori National Monument, Tombstone, etc.), tours, dining, shopping. And all it’s going to cost you is a stamp. For your free copy write to the Metropolitan Tucson Convention & Visitors Bureau, 450 W. Paseo Redondo, Suite 110, Tucson, Ariz. 85701 or telephone (602) 624-1817.

Tucson’s major attractions: the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Colossal Cave (one of the world’s largest dry caverns), Kitt Peak National Observatory, Mt. Lemmon (highest peak in the Santa Catalina range), Old Tucson (site of dozens of Hollywood Westerns with gunfights staged daily), Saguaro National Monument, Coronado National Forest, San Xavier Mission, University of Arizona.

Mexican Food Capital

Tucson has proclaimed itself the “Mexican Food Capital of the World.” Not just Arizona, mind you, but the whole blinking world.

There are dozens of restaurants, but El Charro is familiar to practically everybody in town.

“Tucson’s oldest restaurant in continuous operation by the same family” is how owners Ray and Carlotta Dunn Flores describe it. Carlotta’s great-aunt, Monica Flin, launched El Charro (served as cook, waitress, hostess, cashier and even washed dishes in her spare time).

If you enjoy Mexican food, this is the place. Fresh onions, garlic, tomatoes, green chile, mint, cilantro, sour cream. Tamales made in-house. So are the tortillas. The beef is sun-dried. (Sonoran-style cooking versus Tex/Mex.) Try the chimichanga (deep-fried burritos) and tostados con quesos (cheese melted on tortillas). Dozens of other items.

Great atmosphere. The old home with its four small dining rooms is in the El Presidio Historic Section at 311 N. Court St. For reservations telephone (602) 622-5465. Open seven days a week, 11 a.m. til 9 p.m. (10 p.m. on weekends).

Youth Hostels

A new handbook that’s free to members of American Youth Hostels Inc. names hostels from Alaska to Alabama. (Non-members pay $5 plus $2 postage.) Describes more than 250 AHY-chartered hostels along with details on hiking/cycling trails. Four new California hostels are in the lineup. One in the Redwoods dates from 1900, stands on a bluff overlooking the Pacific. Another hostel in Tennessee is accessible only by foot or horseback (horse feed available at the hostel). In Fort Lauderdale, Fla., you can book accommodations at a hostel that’s only a block from the beach.

Hostels provide dormitory-style facilities, kitchens. Several are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Rates from $4 to $10 a night. AHY is an affiliate of the International Youth Hostel Federation representing more than 5,000 hostels in 64 nations. Contact American Youth Hostels, P.O. Box 37613, Dept. 950, Washington, D.C. 20013-7613.

Norway

During March vacationers may spend a week in Norway for only $524, including round-trip air from New York, accommodations, breakfasts, sightseeing in Oslo. Or there’s a one-week ski package for $295 with most meals (air fare is extra). These trips are packaged by SAS and Bennett Tours. Available from your travel agent. Vacationers also get a 50% discount on $100 worth of gifts purchased at the Steen & Strohm department store in Oslo. Other details from your travel agent or the Norwegian Tourist Board, 655 3rd Ave., New York 10017.

Montana, Idaho, Wyoming

Bill and Pam Bryan of Montana offer a new service for travelers planning visits to the northern Rockies (Montana, Idaho, Wyoming). Information provided on ranches, fishing, backpacking, river rafting, skiing, mountaineering. “Our service is personal,” say the Bryans. No two itineraries alike. You tell them where you wish to go and they take it from there. There’s a charge for their services, depending on the amount of time spent planning your itinerary. They’ll work with you on the telephone, in person or by mail. Contact the Bryans c/o Off The Beaten Path, 109 E. Main St., Bozeman, Mont. 59715 or telephone (406) 586-1311.

Bus Tours/Europe

Europabus does tours in Europe. Forty-six trips planned in ’87 in 16 countries. Portugal to Scandinavia, Austria to Britain. (These buses operate as far north as Czechoslovakia, Hungary.) In France a four-day tour from Paris by train to Strasbourg and then by bus into the Alsatian vineyards will cost you $485. Or there’s a four-day trip from Paris to Normandy, Mont Saint Michel and the Loire Valley for $680. Another tour features Spanish paradores. Details on these and other tours from Europabus, P.O. Box 325, Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870-0325.

New York

New York never surrenders in its campaign to attract tourists. The Convention and Visitors Bureau has published a 70-page “I Love New York” tour directory. Lists more than 200 hotel packages. Some with theater, restaurant, sightseeing options. Contains a handy map that pinpoints more than 220 attractions in downtown, midtown, uptown areas (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Staten Island and the Bronx). For a free copy of the booklet and the map call toll-free (800) 225-5697 or write to New York, Box 992, Latham, N.Y. 12110.

Motor Homes/Canada

A company in Canada is scheduling adventure side trips in connection with vacation motor-home rentals this summer. Renters can choose from white-water rafting, ballooning or trail riding, all in Western Canada. You pick up your motor home in Vancouver or Calgary. Various sizes. Some with air conditioning, stereo systems. Reservations for these adventure packages are available through Pathfinder Vacations (call toll-free (800) 663-7848) or contact your travel agent. Note: Pathfinder arranges for airport transfers for those flying to Calgary or Vancouver as well as campground reservations.

Europe Hotels

More than 650 European hotels will offer rooms (with baths) this summer for $72. Includes a continental breakfast. No supplements added, proprietors promise. Hotels are scattered throughout Britain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Belgium, The Netherlands, Scandinavia. Travelers must buy a minimum of five vouchers (valid in any of the hotels). Contact Salt & Pepper Tours, 7 West 36th St., New York 10018 or call toll-free (800) 223-7733.

Reader Recommendations

England--Roger and Eve Fletcher, Costa Mesa: “Britain’s friendliest car hire company, Morley’s of Kingston, offers reasonable, all-inclusive rates (no hidden extras) with free London airport pickup. They’ll also collect you from your London hotel and drive you to their Kingston office. A 10% discount to American visitors. Call their agent in Newport Beach, (714) 650-3990.”

England--Diane Chiri, Garden Grove: “A private home with accommodations just north of London. Easy access to the city. Children welcome. Write to M. M. Mahtani, 200 Chase Side, Southgate N14 4PH. Rate, 15 per person per night including full English breakfast and pickup at Gatwick Airport.”

England--Leigh Gourdin, Newport Beach: Recommends Chimes English restaurant and cider/wine bar, 5/6 Wellington Terrace, Bayswater Road, London W2. “Pies of all types, game, cider. Nice atmosphere. Dinner runs around $15 per person.”

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