For years Pat Dickerman has specialized in...

For years Pat Dickerman has specialized in farm holidays in the U.S. Now she’s publishing a newsletter featuring a variety of rides. These are horseback trips into America’s wilderness areas. Dickerman describes the country as “a world of rugged peaks, streams and wildflowers.” Most rides are scheduled for July/August. Singles, couples, families. Usually no more than eight riders per group. Rates run around $80/$100 a day.

One eight-day ride takes in Jackson Hole, Wyo., and moves over the Continental Divide to Cody, Wyo. In the Colorado Rockies, riders return to a base camp each evening. Other opportunities in Montana, the Canadian Rockies and elsewhere. For a free copy of Dickerman’s newsletter, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Adventure Guides, 36 East 57th St., New York, N.Y. 10022 or telephone (212) 355-6334.

New England

A smashing new guide telling about Massachusetts’ Berkshires is being mailed free to vacationers. Eighty pages filled with information on campgrounds, bicycling, fishing, hiking, boating and state parks. This is where music lovers gather for the Tanglewood concerts (beginning the July Fourth weekend and continuing for nine weeks). The Boston Symphony Orchestra will be celebrating its 50th season in the Berkshires. Other programs feature chamber music, student concerts and performances by opera and ballet groups. Dozens of inns and B&Bs; are listed in the guide. One 18th-Century farmhouse set on 200 acres provides four Colonial-style bedrooms. Lodgings listed for New York, Vermont and Connecticut in addition to Massachusetts. Copies available from the Berkshire Visitors Bureau, Box PR, The Common, Pittsfield, Mass. 01201 or telephone (413) 443-9186.

France

France is gearing up for a lively campaign to attract visitors this year. A couple of pocket-size guides are being offered free. “Your Key to France” tells about temperatures, tipping, trains, buses, taxis, the Paris Metro, driving rules, domestic airlines, ferries, spas and camping. You’ll also find phone numbers to dial for help in case of an emergency. The other booklet (“France, Wish You Were With Us”) covers a number of cities (Chantilly, Versailles, Paris, Rouen, Honfleur) plus the Rhone Alps and Provence. Major events (June through November) are listed. For free copies write to the French Government Tourist Office, 9401 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 840, Beverly Hills 90212.

Colorado Inn

Innkeeper Beverly Rude has rebuilt a Southwest adobe in Minturn, Colo. Seven guest rooms. This is only a few miles west of Vail. Off the beaten track. Right alongside the Eagle River. Adobe walls, Indian art, rustic furniture. I’ve seen pictures and it looks like a pleasant spot to climb off the merry-go-round. Rude says she specializes in “friendliness, hospitality and delicious homemade breakfasts.” Current rates are $60 for a double, including breakfast and afternoon wine and cheese.

Minturn is an old railroad town. Plenty of history and character. Four restaurants nearby. For reservations contact the Eagle River Inn, 145 N. Main St., P.O. Box 100, Minturn, Colo. 81645 or call (303) 827-5761.

Redwood Country

An updated guide to Northern California’s Redwood empire contains maps (San Francisco to the Oregon border) and describes San Francisco’s visitor attractions (Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, Nob Hill, Telegraph Hill, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park, Treasure Island). Other pages devoted to Marin County (Sausalito, Tiburon, San Rafael, Point Reyes National Seashore), Sonoma County (Jack London State Historic Park, Healdsburg, Sebastopol, Russian River Recreation Area), and Napa, Mendocino, Humboldt, Del Norte and Lake counties. Lists motels, hotels, resorts, campgrounds, RV parks, B&Bs;, wineries, restaurants. Dozens of visitor attractions. Plenty of information on Northern California’s Redwoods. Costs $1 and worth it. Write to the Redwood Empire Assn., 1 Market Plaza, Spear Street Tower, Suite 1001, San Francisco 94105 or phone (415) 543-8334.

Australia

The state of Victoria in Australia is hosting visitors on 27 farms. Horseback riding, boating, water skiing, ballooning, bushwalking. An opportunity to see kangaroos, wallabies, emus, koalas. A choice of experiencing the wine country, sheep country or cattle country. Prices range from about $65 to $75 per night. This is for a twin. Includes all meals. Most of these farms are an easy drive from Melbourne. We’ve had good comments from readers. For details call toll-free (800) 445-0190 or (800) 551-2021 outside California.

Holiday Homes in Britain

A company in Washington, D.C., is providing American travelers with vacation accommodations ranging from ordinary cottages to great houses. Opportunities for fishing, golfing, shooting. Beaufort Cottage in Sussex is a 17th-Century white gabled house set on 12 acres. Hookes Cottage in Chipping Campden is a good base for touring the Cotswolds and Shakespeare country. Dozens of other choices. Write to Mrs. Vera G. Williams c/o Blandings, 2841 29th St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008. Telephone (202) 328-1353. Here’s another source: For self-catering housing in England, contact Anne Pilgrim of Pilgrim’s Way, Box 1307, Havertown, Penn., 19083. Telephone (215) 649-1868.

Reader Recommendations

France--Perry Goering, Long Beach: “I have just returned from a week’s vacation in Paris, staying in yet another of the RothRay studio apartments. As with all of their apartments, it was exquisitely decorated and completely furnished. I would be happy to answer any questions. Currently there are nine apartments in the center of Paris at about 500 francs ($83 U.S.) a day. Early reservations are recommended. I may be contacted at P.O. Box 92652, Long Beach, Calif. 90809. Otherwise, contact Ray Lampard at 10, Rue Nicolas Flamel, 75004 Paris.”

New Zealand--Charles and Carole Poston, Los Angeles: “Highly recommend Devonwood Manor, a motel at 312 Fenton St. (P.O. Box 6052), Rotorua, New Zealand. Two people for $30 a night. Room complete with a refrigerator and complimentary bottle of milk. Milk is refilled each day free of charge.”

Portugal--Millie and Robert B. Jackson, Ventura: “Our very favorite hotel, the Ofir, Costa Verde, Portugal (75 miles south of the Spanish border near Fao and just south of Esposende), $29 double. Two swimming pools, tennis courts. Nestled in the sand dunes. Excellent food. On the Algarve, the Aeromar Hotel, 8000 Faro, Praia de Faro, Portugal. Double with bath, $25.”

Texas--Leslie A. Kelly, Huntington Beach: “One of the most enjoyable B&Bs; that I have encountered in my travels, the Harlyn House, 508 Main St., Marble Falls, Tex. 78654. Circa 1900. A charming old Victorian located near the downtown area. Full breakfast served. Prices are $24 single, $40 double.”

Pennsylvania--Carolyn L. Fox: Praises Walnut Hill Farm, 214 Chandler’s Mill Road, Avondale, Pa. 19311. “We were attracted by its proximity to the Brandywine River Museum, the Winterthur Museum & Gardens, and Longwood Gardens. We had a room with bath for $50.”

California--Linda and Bill Gabriel, Solana Beach: “A newly opened bed and breakfast, the Matlick House, Highway 395 North, just outside Bishop on the road to the Mammoth ski area. Beautifully furnished. A huge country breakfast each morning. Rates from $65 to $75 for two persons with a 10% discount offered Monday through Thursday. For reservations, write to The Matlick House, 1313 Rowan Lane, Bishop, Calif. 93514.”

North Wales--Eva Krutein, Irvine: “Near Beaumaris Castle on Anglesey we found an old farmhouse B&B; with panoramic view over Snodonia and the Menai Straits. Double room, $14.25. Meals $6.70. Most important--a warm personal atmosphere.”

England--Mrs. Terrie Benham, Huntington Beach: “Enjoyed Cathedral Gate Hotel, 32A Burgate Road, Canterbury. Rate: 18 to 50 ($28 to $76). Also, Marlborough Crest Hotel, Bloomsbury Street, London WC1B-3QD. Rate 105 for two.”