Exploring the California Delta by houseboat has...

Exploring the California Delta by houseboat has been getting a good deal of attention from families, couples in recent summers. These boats will accommodate from two to 10 persons. Here’s an uncomplicated life style. Sail upriver or downriver, or just anchor in a cove and sunbathe, fish or snooze. Ski boats available as well. Vacationers can cook aboard or dock at a variety of waterside restaurants along the Delta. It’s like renting a condo, only with navigational options. Roll out of bed and break out the bacon and eggs. No waiters, no fuss. Toss a fishing line into the water and wait for a bite or cut in the engine and cast off for a new spot along the river. Sounds like fun. For reservations call the Delta Rental Houseboat Hotline (209) 477-1840 or write to Houseboats, 6333 Pacific Ave., Suite 152, Stockton, Calif. 95207. They’ll mail you a free packet of brochures, price lists from various Delta houseboat companies.

Free Guide

More than 200 vacation ideas are listed in a tabloid-size guide published by an Idaho reservation service. Covers areas of Southern California, Florida, Montana, Idaho, Colorado, Utah, Oregon. Designed for singles, couples, families. Everything from a six-night fly/drive package in Colorado that includes a river trip from Vail ($391) to five-day river expeditions in Idaho ($695). Accommodations at B&Bs;, condos and five-star hotels. A number of golf/tennis destinations. For a free copy write to Central Reservations, P.O. Box 979, Sun Valley, Ida. 83353.

Yosemite

Families planning to vacation at Yosemite’s campgrounds can make their reservations through Ticketron. Rates are $10 per night in Yosemite Valley, $9 at Hodgdon Meadow Campground on California 120 (this is at the Big Oak Flat entrance to the park). Ticketron, which operates more than 600 outlets nationwide, advises vacationers that reservations may be made from eight to 12 weeks in advance, either in person or by mail. Telephone reservations aren’t accepted. For other information write to the National Park Information Office, 22900 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills 91364. Telephone (818) 888-3770.

Maps

If you’re searching for maps, keep in mind Hollywood’s shop: Maps to Anywhere. Stocks hundreds of hard-to-find editions. Individual maps of the Greek Islands, the Himalayas, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, China. Practically anyplace you can name in the world. These same people handle three-dimensional relief maps as well. The company also stocks bed-and-breakfast guidebooks (the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe). Other guides cover European waterways, French canals, hiking trails (for people who love to walk the back roads of Europe and around the world). Other departments handle language calculators, phrase books, cassettes, travel accessories. Contact Maps to Anywhere Travel Shoppe, 1514 N. Hillhurst Ave. (2nd Floor), Hollywood 90027, or telephone (213) 660-2101. Open noon to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

New Mexico

A new 84-page guide for vacationers planning trips to New Mexico is divided into six regions (north central, central, northwest, northeast, southeast, southwest). Contains information about art galleries, parks, recreation opportunities. The “1987 New Mexico Vacation Guide” features a full-color travel map of the state as well as addresses, telephone numbers of more than 50 chambers of commerce, and convention and visitor bureaus. For a free copy write to the New Mexico Tourism & Travel Division, ED & TD, Room 751, Joseph M. Montoya Building, 1100 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe, N.M. 87503.

Language School

Mexico’s Spanish language school at Cuernavaca is expanding. Offers “total immersion” study courses for beginners, up, including those with a fluency for the language. Tuition is $125 a week. Students live with Mexican families. Room and board available from $10 to $15 per day. Makes this one of the best buys in Mexico. Courses are designed to “help students develop conversational fluency in the shortest possible time.” We’ve had good reports on this program. For details contact the U.S. office of the Center for Bilingual Studies, 3133 Lake Hollywood Drive, P.O. Box 1860, Los Angeles 90078 or telephone (213) 851-3403.

Walking Tours

It’s called Lord Winston’s Walking Tours. Zeros in on that lovely countryside of Britain known as the Cotswolds. Daily distances of about 10 miles using ancient footpaths, bridle ways. No need to carry backpacks. Baggage is delivered ahead by van to the next inn or hotel. The tour begins in Stratford-on-Avon with a performance at Stratford’s famous Memorial Theater. Other visits to Blenheim Castle (birthplace of Winston Churchill), a 50-acre arboretum and Sudeley Castle (once the home of Lady Jane Grey).

The tour takes in the villages of Lower Slaughter, Guiting Tower, Chipping Camden, Bourton-on-the-Water, Moreton-in-Marsh. Lunches in pubs and accommodations in a 16th-Century coaching inn, the Queen Hotel in Cheltenham Spa, and the 600-year-old Lygon Arms (listed as one of the 300 best hotels in the world). Contact Lord Winston’s Trekking Tours, The Manor, Morton Pinkney, Daventry, NN11 6SJ, England.

Reader Recommendations

England--Daisy E. McCombs, Corona, Calif.: Cotswold country. “Old farmhouse with en suite bedrooms and color TV. Full English breakfast. Easy access to Bath, London and Devonshire coast. $40 double B&B;, $250 weekly. Write to Northfield House, Tormarton Road, Marshfield, Chippenham, Wiltshire, England.”

England--Betty Hardin, Irvine: “Cannot say enough about the Garden Cottage, Little Faringdon, Glos. GL7 4AB. Beautiful Cotswold setting, charmingly furnished living room, sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms, two baths. Ideal for two couples. Excellent central location for exploring Stratford-on-Avon, Oxford, Stonehenge. About 70 miles from London. $460 to $820 a week depending on season. Also available is the Old Cottage, newly decorated, cozy for one couple ranging from $270 to $440 a week. Reservations through Livingstone Holidays, phone (714) 476-2823.”

Hawaii--Norman Ehrenberg, North Hollywood: “Enjoyed excellent meal at Chez Paul on Maui. Four miles south of Lahaina at Olowalu Village. Phone (808) 661-3843. There are two sittings for dinner so reservations suggested.”

Hawaii--Mary J. McClatchey, Temple City, Calif.: “We came across a real must for anyone planning a vacation to Kauai, ‘The Kauai Underground Guide,’ which lists best beaches, restaurants and activities. It can be ordered by writing to L. Horowitz, 362 Selby Lane, Atherton, Calif. 94025. Price is $6.95 postpaid.”

Canada--Madeleine Steele, Arroyo Grande, Calif.: “For those making connections in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, with either the arriving or departing ferry to Newfoundland, a charming B&B; for a night’s stopover is Annfield Tourist Manor, once the mansion of a mining magnate, on the shore of Bras D’Or Lake. For under $30 U.S. I enjoyed an immaculate period room plus breakfast and dinner served family style. Three miles from the ferry, Exit 18W off Route 105. Address RR3, Bras D’Or, Cape Breton County, N.S., Canada BOC 1BO. Phone (902) 736-8770.”

Hawaii--Jean and Ben Kahn, Pacific Palisades: “Enjoyed B&B; at the New England-style home of Warren and Mollie Roll on the north flank of Mauna Kea in Hawaii. $35 for a couple per night and well worth it. Address Third Voyage Limited, P.O. Box 2155, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743, phone (808) 885-6858.”

New Zealand--Grant Mehren, San Diego: “Tudor Court, 57 Bealey Ave., Christchurch, is a new motel that offers kitchen suites with microwaves. Bedrooms have queen-size water beds plus color TV with remote. All for $35 U.S.”