It’s called The Cascade Loop, a tour...

It’s called The Cascade Loop, a tour that begins with a ferryboat ride beyond Seattle to Whidbey Island, followed by a drive over the Cascades, looping back to the Seattle area. Figure on a leisurely two or three days. One of the prettiest drives in the Pacific Northwest. Spectacular mountains, alpine lakes, sagebrush wilderness, dairy farms, orchards.

Winthrop is a good spot to overnight. It’s about halfway--an old Western town with boardwalks. You’ll find a good selection of motels, hotels, B&Bs; in Leavenworth (the town with the Bavarian theme that’s featured on Page 1). If you’re searching for seclusion, try the River Chalet. This is a two-story vacation home on the Wenatchee River. Surrounded by mountains. Fishing out the back door. Sleeps up to eight people. Rate is $150 a night. Contact Dean Adams, 1131 Monroe St., Wenatchee, Wash. 98801, or telephone (509) 663-7676.

A handy 62-page guide gives the lowdown for this trip. For a free copy, write to The Cascade Loop, P.O. Box 3245, Wenatchee, Wash. 98801. Contains a map outlining the drive. Lists hotels/motels, RV parks, campgrounds, restaurants, shopping attractions.

San Luis Obispo

A slick, magazine-size guide (68 pages) has been produced by the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. Details on back roads and out-of-the-way places. Profiles Hearst Castle, wineries, the Mission Plaza. A calendar section lists San Luis Obispo’s Mozart Festival, its Mardi Gras, jazz festival, Renaissance Faire, clam festival and nearly two dozen other events. Various sections feature dining, shopping, hotels, motels. Covers areas from Arroyo Grande and Morro Bay to Pismo Beach.

If you’re planning a trip to the Central California Coast, this is a useful guide. Sells for $2. Write to Chamber Visitor Center, 1039 Chorro St., San Luis Obispo 93401. For other details, telephone (805) 543-1323.

A Letter From Italy

American Ellen McCance offers “personalized travel service” for tourists visiting Italy. She assists travelers “who want to see the real Italy.” Specializes in off-the-beaten-track destinations. “We find apartments for people who want a base from which to take day trips. We book their hotels or pensions, and serve as guides to Etruscan hill towns and sites that are the real gems, but which few tourists ever get to see.” McCance is an ex-Angeleno who’s lived for years in Italy. Says she’ll call for you at the airport or train station. During the holidays she can arrange for you to spend Christmas with an Italian family in the Tuscan countryside. Other seasonal events, including the wine harvest in October. For details, contact McCance, Podere Ricciolino, 57022 Castagneto Carducci, Italy.

A Letter From Britain

Deborah Newman writes from Britain: “We operate the Vine House Hotel in a quiet village just off the A5, which is about 45 minutes from Oxford. Nearby we have many historic houses, including the home of the Princess of Wales and Sulgrave Manor. In the village we have the headquarters of the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts Club with a small museum. We will plan the itinerary for visitors coming to Britain, using small hotels with very good restaurants.”

Newman’s hotel features six guest rooms, each with private bath, color TV. The restaurant won acclaim in the 1987 Good Food Guide, and was given four crowns by the English Tourist Board. Write to Newman c/o the Vine House Hotel & Restaurant, High Street, Paulerspury, Northamptonshire, England NN12 7NA. Rates: 32 (about $51 U.S.) single, 46 (about $73 U.S.) double.

Another note from Neil Castle of Gloucestershire: “My wife and I have many years’ experience providing a comfortable room and English breakfast for visitors to Britain. We are right next to the A46 country road near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. From our front door you can set off to Cotswold villages. Our rate is 14 per person, including tax, room with bath, color TV, tea and coffee. Breakfast is chosen from my menu.”

Write to Castle c/o Allards, Shurdington Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England GL51 5XA.

Interstate 5

A new 64-page camping directory is tuned in to vacationers traveling Interstate 5 through California, Oregon and Washington. Lists both public and private campgrounds. Tells of camping opportunities for as little as $6 a night. Mobile home parks, national forests, recreation areas, trailer parks, public campgrounds. This guide fits into your glove compartment, contains state/city maps. Particularly helpful for trailer/RV campers. Also provides information on fishing, boating, golfing. On sale at bookstores for $2.95. Ask for “Camp Interstate 5” (published by Rand McNally).

Baja Beat

One of the last wilderness regions below the California border is drawing vacationers to a world of hunting adventure. This is a guided tour into the remote back country of Baja. Visits to secluded beaches, lakes in the Sierra Mountains, hot springs, a working ranch, ancient missions. Stunning sunsets, cave paintings, petroglyphs. Off-road vehicles are used to explore this wilderness region. A choice of two trips--one to the Pacific side of Baja, the other to the Sea of Cortez. Except for the final night when the Baja bunch is hosted at a dude ranch, you’ll sleep in nylon tents with air mattresses. You can do the Baja Beat for $649 for six days, five nights. Contact Baja Adventures, 16000 Ventura Blvd., Suite 402, Encino 91436 or telephone toll-free (800) 345-BAJA in California or (800) 543-BAJA outside California.

Reader Recommendations

California--Steven P. Gross, Santa Monica: Enjoyed the Wine Way Inn, 1019 Foothill Blvd., Calistoga 94515. “Furnished with antiques, fresh flowers. Complimentary decanters of wine. Innkeepers are Dede and Allen Good, who have taken refuge from the Los Angeles area. Rates range from $65 to $80 including a generous continental breakfast.”

California--Kim Eaton, Sacramento: Praises Roundstone Farm, 9940 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Olema, Calif. 94950. “A new facility that features rooms with private baths. Sits on 10 acres overlooking a pond that is used by both horses and deer. Tomales Bay in the distance. Rates $95/$110. Includes full breakfast.”

Canada--Robert J. Smith, Mountain View: Enjoyed a 126-year-old inn and motel, Telegraph House, P.O. Box 8, Babbeck, Nova Scotia, Canada BOE 1BO. “Rooms and home-cooked meals where Alexander Graham Bell used to stay. Rates $32 U.S. per couple. Also enjoyed the 184-mile Cabot Trail Loop. Mackey of Bannockburn Tours Ltd., Babbeck, Nova Scotia, Canada BOE 1BO. Charged $25 ($12 for children).”

Canada--Jack and Marilyn Kates, Cypress: Praise for the Blenkinsop Bed & Breakfast, 4049 Century Road, Victoria, B.C., Canada V8X 2E5. Rates $30 Canadian single, $45 double. “Our hosts were Charlie and Diana Schnider. They serve scrumptious gourmet breakfasts, late-afternoon sherry, and in the evening tea and a snack. About three miles from downtown Victoria.”

Ireland--Savannah Chalifoux, La Verne: Praise for “the best B&B; ever: Hawthorne Farm. Write to Mrs. Kitty Dineen, Kilgarvan, County Kerry, Ireland. Rate: 10.50 per person. This B&B; is delightfully located on a fishing stream. Nearby is Kenmare, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. Friendly proprietor serves tea with the best Irish whiskey cake.”

France--Lynn Phillips, Playa del Rey: “Stayed in a charming cottage in northern France in the countryside surrounded by farms, castles, cloisters, old churches. Perfect for anyone who wants a romantic week away from the crowds. Two bedrooms and a kitchen. Also bicycles. Rentals are $200 U.S. for two, $300 for four, weekly. Arrangements can be made through Christian Lucas, 318 1/2 N. Rampart Blvd., Los Angeles 90026.”