This has to be the year’s best...

This has to be the year’s best buy. Only $99 for one week on the island of Corsica. The price includes the round-trip cruise between Nice and Corsica, lodging on the island, and a tour of Ajaccio (capital city of Corsica). This is a promotional tour to acquaint Europe’s visitors with Corsica. Space is filling up fast. Guests are lodged at the University of Corsica in the town of Corte as well as another school in Ajaccio. Dates: weekly from July 2 through Sept. 17. For details contact the International Friendship Service, Corsican Program, 22994 El Toro Road, El Toro, Calif. 92630 or telephone (714) 458-8868.

Mexico Rentals

A note from Nancy Murray of Mexico House Vacation Rentals reminds us that vacation condos are still available for the summer season in Ensenada. Rates start at $64 a day (double occupancy). Or she’ll put you up in an ocean-front dwelling ($115) that sleeps six. Stay a week or longer and you get a 10% discount. This is a guarded compound. On the beach. Six miles south of Ensenada. Stunning views of Todos Santos Bay. A total of 33 modern condos privately owned by U.S. citizens. Fully furnished. Microwaves, barbecues, TVs, stereos, fireplaces. For a brochure, write to Nancy Murray c/o Mexico House Vacation Rentals, P.O. Box 970, Del Mar, Calif. 92014 or telephone (619) 481-6099.

Copper Canyon Choo-Choo

A new American-owned passenger train, the Sierra Madre Express, is doing tours from Arizona to Mexico’s Copper Canyon. Sleeping cars with five double-occupancy bedrooms plus eight single-occupancy roomettes and a lounge. A dining car once used on runs between Chicago and Seattle. Cars are air-conditioned. The Sierra Madre Express is operated by Rail Passenger Services of Tucson, where tours originate and terminate. Departures on Wednesdays, return on Sundays. Passengers are picked up at the airport or their hotel and transferred to the train at the Mexican border town of Nogales.

Passengers spend a couple of nights at the Posada Barrancas, a colonial-style lodge/hotel near the rim of Copper Canyon. The Posada Barrancas, which has rooms with showers and baths, is described as “clean and adequate but not fancy.” Guests hike, ride or do four-wheel drive trips into the canyon. On the fourth day they reboard the train for the return to Tucson, where a van delivers them to the airport/hotels. Rates start at $985, including meals/alcohol and sleeping accommodations aboard the Sierra Madre Express, hotel room/meals at Posada Barrancas, and transfers. Details from Rail Passenger Services, P.O. Box 26381, Tucson, Ariz. 85726 or telephone (602) 747-0378.

Antique Holiday

Antiquing is big business in Britain these days. Eric Hipwell of London delivers tourists to dealers throughout England. Meets them at the airport, transfers them to their hotels to discuss the itinerary. Hipwell sniffs out markets where dealers themselves shop for antiques. These are places that would be difficult for the average American to zero in on. Auctions as early as 4 a.m.

Hipwell claims you can come away with “fantastic bargains.” He’ll search out antiques in advance of your arrival. Besides antiquing, the tour covers small towns and villages normally not seen by the average traveler. First-class inns. A variety of restaurants. Hipwell’s price isn’t cheap, but what is these days? ($450 per day for up to three persons, including Hipwell’s services, the car, petrol.) Write to Hipwell, 34 Walkerscroft Mead, West Dulwich, London SE21 8LJ, England.

Student Bargain

A 22-day tour of eight European countries figures out to less than $45 a day for students. Includes motor coach, breakfast, some dinners, a cruise on the Seine in Paris, a trip to Versailles, a ride aboard a vaparetto along Venice’s Grand Canal and a Rhine cruise. Besides Paris, the itinerary takes in London, Avignon, the French Riviera, Monaco, Pisa, Florence, Rome, Venice, Salzburg, Munich, Rudesheim, Amsterdam, Brussels. Details in a 60-page guide that’s free by writing to Student Travel International, 8619 Reseda Blvd., Suite 103, Northridge, Calif. 91324 or telephone toll-free (800) 637-7687 (California) or (800) 886-0633 (nationwide).

A Letter From Britain

The Jack Palmers of Beer, England, send along this note: “We have a lovely home in Beer (a small, picturesque fishing village in Devon). Suggest that anyone spending a hectic holiday in London book with us for a relaxing break. We will call for them at the railway station. Then for six days we would accommodate them at our home. Traditional English breakfasts, four-course evening meals (wine included).

“During the day we would take our visitors on sightseeing tours of Devon, Dorset, Dartmoor and Exmoor. Beer is an Old World fishing village. Gift shops, pubs, restaurants. Price per person: 250 (about $450 U.S.). Shorter stays can be arranged.” Write to the Palmers c/o Cherry Blossoms, Barline Beer Seaton, Devon EX12 3LP England. Note: Cherry Blossoms welcomes guests year-round.

Reader Recommendations

California--Marjorie Gerrard, San Clemente: “Just returned from an absolutely marvelous trip with Sentimental Rail Journeys, P.O. Box 4574, Thousand Oaks, Calif. 91360, phone (805) 499-9306. We traveled in privately owned vintage rail cars, enjoyed delicious meals beautifully served. Ever-attentive service by white-coated porters. The same attention to providing the very best in service was apparent throughout our tour with excellent accommodations and outstanding sightseeing trips.”

California--Bob Chestnut, Sacramento: “Casa Laguna Inn, Old World charm, beautiful ocean views, lovely terraced grounds, heated pool. European-style continental breakfast. They serve wine, cheeses and lemonade around pool in afternoon. Rates $85 to $155, 2510 S. Pacific Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, Calif. 92651. Phone (800) 233-0449.”

Georgia--Brenda Loree, Ventura: “Spent two days in Plains, Ga., at the Plains Bed and Breakfast, P.O. Box 217, Plains, Ga. 31780. An old two-story white-frame house that Miss Lillian and Earl Carter once lived in. Completely renovated in turn-of-the-century decor. Rates $50 and up. Grace and Buck Jackson, proprietors, serve a fine Southern breakfast.”

Minnesota--Wanita Beal, Pipestone, Minn.: “Anyone traveling through the Midwest would do well to stop at Pipestone, Minn., to view a spectacular outdoor evening show, ‘The Song of Hiawatha Pageant,’ which is produced the last two weekends in July and the first weekend in August. Scenes are played out against ancient boulders and trees and on a small lake. Admission, $5. Write to Hiawatha Club, Pipestone, Minn. 56164.”

England--Anne Bell, Malibu: “The Bull Hotel, Burford, Oxfordshire, dates back to the 14th Century, provides 10 rooms with private baths, some with four-poster beds. Candlelit restaurant, two bars with log fireplaces. Twin room including breakfast and VAT, 42. Burford is a charming Cotswold town, less than an hour’s drive from London.”

France--Priscilla Fourer, Palos Verdes: “Recently spent a wonderful week on the Canal du Midi on an 82-foot barge captained by an Englishman and his wife, Dave and Joan Brock. The Brocks are planning a two-week trip, six people, beginning Sept. 29--three days in Paris, 10 days on the barge through Burgundy. Bicycles, side trips, breakfasts and dinners included, $1,500 per person. Write to Brock Tours, 80 Old Queen Anne Road, Chatham, Mass. 02633.”

Scotland--Audrey and Harold Kahane, Sherman Oaks: “Carlton House, Portpatrick, not far from English border and Sealink to Ireland. A wee, lovely B&B; on harbor front. Wonderful views of Irish Sea. Cozy lounge, seven double bedrooms with hot and cold running water and individually controlled heating. Fishing, golfing, historical walks. Penny Harvie, a charming hostess, provides full English breakfasts and appetizing meals, about $8 for a three-course dinner. Rates $15 per night per person.”

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