Bookworms are having a holiday in Wales....

Bookworms are having a holiday in Wales. This is no spoof. Saint Deiniol’s, near Chester (England), takes in boarders. Only 19.65 (about $31.50 U.S.) a day, 137.55 (about $220 U.S.) a week (full-time students get a break at 98 per weekend). Rates include a room, three meals a day, morning coffee, afternoon tea. Accommodations for 46 guests in single, twin-bedded rooms.

This is the world’s only residential library. Read, write and research under congenial conditions. More than 150,000 books available. Saint Deiniol’s has been described as a “home for mental and spiritual refreshment and research.” Founded in the 1800s by the Victorian Prime Minister William E. Gladstone. Open to thinkers from around the world. For details write to Saint Deiniol’s Library, Hawarden, Deeside, Clwyd CH5 3DF, North Wales, Great Britain.

Tennis Ranch

Adam Benson of La Mirada asks for the name of a tennis ranch in Arizona. John Gardiner operates two--one in Scottsdale and a brand-new property in Boynton Canyon, near Sedona. A spectacular setting. Dead center in Sedona’s Red Rock country. Topnotch accommodations. Rates for a double with breakfast and dinner figure out to $225 a day. Tennis packages start at $1,200 per couple for five days, including breakfast and dinner daily, a champagne reception on arrival and massages. Gardiner’s ranch covers 70 acres. Open year-round. Casitas blend with the surrounding wilderness. Wood-burning fireplaces, kitchenettes, balconies for viewing spectacular sunsets.

John Gardiner’s Enchantment, P.O. 2945, Sedona, Ariz. 86336 or telephone toll-free (800) 826-4180.

British Columbia

A new booklet describing fishing opportunities, riding, mountaineering, sailing, camping and river rafting is offered free by the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism, 3400 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 34, Los Angeles 90010. This is a slick, 46-page magazine with gorgeous photographs. Details on adventure resorts, guest ranches, parks. A section on bicycling tells about trips in the Gulf Islands (rural scenery, deserted beaches). Fishermen are given information on world-famous Campbell River and the Cariboo Chilcotin with its lakes and streams for fly fishing. Dozens of other destinations for rod and reel vacationers.

Nearly 100 parks are listed in the guide, covering most of British Columbia. To obtain a copy in a hurry, phone the British Columbia Ministry of Tourism at (213) 380-9171. Ask for the “Adventure Vacation Guide.”

Medical Help

A pocket-size guide devoted to medical assistance around the world provides the names of English-speaking physicians in dozens of countries, along with an immunization chart. Contains a set of 24 climate charts with details on food/water, diseases that plague travelers. The guide is produced by a nonprofit organization. Although donations are accepted, the guide is free. For a copy, write to IAMAT (International Assn. for Medical Assistance to Travelers), 736 Center St., Lewiston, N.Y. 14092. You’ll receive a membership card that names doctors charging a preset fee. The organization was established by a Canadian doctor. We’ve had good reports on IAMAT over the years.

Discount Club

Sears, Roebuck has founded a travel club offering travelers huge discounts on packaged tours, cruises, flights, other travel programs. Membership is $45 a year per family. Major discounts offered on “short notice travel” (both domestic and international). With lead time of three days to eight weeks you get big breaks. In other words, if you can get away in a hurry, your chances of obtaining cheaper prices are that much better. Average discounts range from 40% to 45%. For additional information, contact Sears by calling (800) 331-0257.

India

If your travels take you to India, here’s a trip worth considering. It’s a 22-hour journey by ship between Bombay and Goa (roughly 320 miles). Features interesting coastline. And it’s cheap. Only $23 for the owner’s cabin, $20 for what the company describes as “deluxe cabins” or $17 for first-class passage. If you want to sneak away on the cheap, deck travel costs only $3. And this includes three meals as well as the passage!

Just remember one thing: “deluxe” or “first class” on certain Indian ships doesn’t necessarily mean luxury. Here are the details: Daily departures except Tuesday from Bombay with arrival in Goa the following morning. Return from Goa every day but Wednesday. Contact Shipping Corp. of India, New Ferry Wharf, Bombay, India or locally, the Government of India Tourist Office, 3550 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 204, Los Angeles 90010. Telephone (213) 380-8855. Trips are offered throughout the year except during the monsoon season (early June through early September).

Reader Recommendations

California--Jaime and Liesel Paris: “Just returned from our second visit this season to Glacier Lakes area. Offers hiking and mountaineering facilities. Had the joy of one full day on the North Fork of Big Pine Creek. Saw five of seven emerald-blue lakes, then visited the South Fork. Enjoyed Glacier Lodge, which is truly charming, combining the lodge and several smaller cabins. Loved the ambiance of the lodge. A great fireplace, wonderful dining room and subdued classical music in the background. Excellent food, wines. Recommended for those who enjoy outdoors yet don’t want to give up the comfort of home. Rates: $50/$60. Contact Mark and Janet Korpela, P.O. Box 370, Big Pine, Calif. 93513.

California--Julie and Jeff Lowe, Altadena: “An absolutely charming B&B;, the Cliff Crest, 407 Cliff St., Santa Cruz, Calif. 95060. This is a Queen Anne/Victorian, which celebrates its 100th birthday this year. Only 1 1/2 blocks from the ocean. Close to the famed Santa Cruz boardwalk. Rates $70/$115.”

California--Ben Ellis, Los Angeles: “Enjoyed the Palm Bed and Breakfast, 10382 Willow St., P.O. Box 515, Jamestown, Calif. 95327. Rates: $55/$100. This includes a gourmet breakfast.”

California--Marie McGrath, Tustin: Praises a Pismo Beach house “at the edge of a bluff just two blocks from the steps that lead to the beach and a couple of blocks from the pier.” Address: 295 Harloe, Pismo Beach, Calif. 93449. Rates: $400/$600 per week.

California--David Chiles, Seal Beach: High praise for the Shaw House B&B;, 2476 Main St., Cambria, Calif. 93428. Rates: $50 “with a good breakfast.”

California--Bruce Wilson, Gardena: “A small, European-style hotel, the Hotel Carter, in the heart of Eureka’s renovated Old Town, is furnished with antiques. Wine and hors d’oeuvres in the lobby, a complimentary continental breakfast in the morning. Rates $58/$135.”

Connecticut--Marisa Peterson, Glen Cove, N.Y.: “A wonderful, idyllic hideaway in the rolling countryside of Connecticut called Harrison Inn (Heritage Village, Southbury, Conn. 06488). Rate is $89.50 per person (breakfast and dinner included), or there is a European plan.”

Indiana--Robert L. Garland, North Hollywood: High praise for Brigadoon Bed & Breakfast Inn, 1201 S.E. 2nd St., Evansville, Ind. 47713. “Four rooms (two with bath) for $40 per person, $45 for two. Excellent full breakfast. The inn was built in 1892.”

Massachusetts--Annette and Steve Grob, Los Angeles: Recommend Brook Farm Inn, Hawthorne Street, Lenox, Mass. 01240. “Host Bob Jacob offers poetry and music on tapes, holds frequent poetry readings. Breakfasts are huge and delicious. Rates range from $60 to $125. Brook Farm Inn is a mile or so from Tanglewood, summer home of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Also close to Norman Rockwell Museum.”

Montana--Ray Keller, Westwood: “A great place on the Bitterroot River c/o Elkhorn Ridge Outfitters, Darby Road Bridge, Darby, Mont. 59829. Excellent accommodations in the bunkhouse, good cooking. Fishing for large trout. Rate $80 a day.”

Pennsylvania--Marion L. Sprague, Santa Ana: “Enjoyed Noon-Collins Inn, 114 E. High St., Ebensburg, Pa. 15931. Jeannette and Lew Ridley are the warm and helpful innkeepers. She is a French-educated gourmet cook. Rates are $45 a night double, which includes a sensational breakfast, wine in the evenings, color TV in a comfortable room filled with antiques (private bath). Gourmet meals in the inn’s restaurant.”

San Francisco--S. Provost, Huntington Beach: “Delightful, small French restaurant near downtown San Francisco, La Quiche, 550 Taylor St.”

Utah--Margaret Wybel, Bakersfield: Enjoyed Sundowner restaurant, P.O. Box 97, Moab, Utah 84532. “Dinner entrees start at $6.25.”

Utah--Don and Dorothy Clifford, Carlsbad: “A cozy bed and breakfast guest house in Zion National Park area. Rates from $25 single to $45 double. Write to P.O. Box 29, Springdale, Utah 84767.”

Vermont--Mary Lembke, Sacramento: “In Vermont used the Cycle and Walking Inn Vermont plan. Each day our host would give us a detailed map of our day’s ride, letting us decide the distance. He’d take us to a starting point and then deliver our luggage ahead to our next inn. Each inn served a lovely dinner, though we have to single out Rowells Inn, RR1, Box 269, Simonsville, Vt. 05143 as being exceptional. All this costs $60 a day. Contact Cycle Inn Vermont Inc., P.O. Box 243, Ludlow, Vt. 05149-0243.”

Washington--Stewart and Elaine West, Ventura: A lovely B&B; on entry to Camano Island, Puget Sound. Called Willcox House, 1462 Larkspur Lane, Camano Island, Wash. Single and double with bath, $35/$50.

Wisconsin--Adele Krasner, Northridge: Enjoyed the White House Lodge, Route 14, Richland Center, Wis. 53581. “Eighteen guest rooms, outstanding dining room. Had the best beef ever. Our dinners cost $9.95. Room rates run about $50. Worth every penny.”

Wisconsin--Carol and Doug Edwards, Camarillo: Discovered Enchanted Loon Inn, 6021 Moccasin Lake Road, Land O’Lakes, Wis. 54540. Rates: $35 a night for two people includes gourmet buffet-style breakfast.

Canada--Hetty van Adelsberg, Glendale: “I must praise very highly the All-Day Pass for $3 in Vancouver, B.C. Enables the passenger to travel on any form of public transportation (bus, sky train, sea bus) as often as desired from 9:30 a.m. to midnight.”

Canada--Shel Bercovich, Calgary, Canada: “I’d like to recommend Trail Rides organized by the Trail Riders of the Canadian Rockies. Volunteer, nonprofit group organizes eight- and six-day trail rides to a fixed camp in the Canadian Rockies in Banff National Park. Riders sleep in Indian-style tepees, are provided with horses. Great food. Scenery is unsurpassed. Contact Marlene Lea, Trail Riders of the Canandian Rockies, Box 6742, Station D, Calgary, Alta., Canada. Rates: $280 per child, $560 per adult.”

England--Glenn Abnay, Irvine: Northcote Manor, Burrington, Near Umberleigh, North Devon EX39 9LZ. Summer rates 66 for two nights to 230 for seven nights. “I frequent England each year and this was one of my superior visits.”

England--Frances Harding, Sepulveda: “A B&B; operated by Olivia Gannon, 93 Cowley Hill, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, 9 a night with large English breakfast. Another: The Palmerleigh Guesthouse, 76 Cambrian View, Whipcord Lane, Chester (9 a night).”

England--Frank and Ann Knaack, Oxnard: “Belsfield Guest House, 4 Kendal Road, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria, England. Within walking distance of Lake Windermere. Seven rooms with private bath. Includes English breakfast for about 27 per couple.”

Scotland/England--John and Eileen Collins, Fullerton: “Charming, restored 200-year-old hotel, The Loch Etive, Connel Village near Oban, Argyll PA37 1PH, Scotland (about $9 each), and in England a B&B; operated by Mr. and Mrs. A. Chalons Browne, Vitry, 14 Gazely Road, Cambridge CB2 2HB, England (about $45 for two).

Scotland--Evelyn Marshall, Cypress: “An ideal B&B; for 18 single, 21 double. Family room for three was 46 and worth double the price. Gorgeous Victorian interior. Write to Mrs. Elizabeth Burns, 62 St. Andrews Drive, Nithsdale Close, Pollokshields, Glasgow, Scotland G41 5EZ.”

Scotland--Warren L. Rose, Bell Gardens: Enjoyed Invery House. Address: Benchory, Royal Deeside, Kincardineshire, Scotland. “Beautiful grounds, a salmon river running by. Great food. Rates: 65/195.”

Scotland--Mr. and Mrs. David Cooper, North Hollywood: Had a wonderful stay at a private home, Shalimar, Grainepark, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 14L, Scotland. “A lovely new home, beautifully decorated. For nonsmokers only. Prices range from 7.5 to 10 per person, bed and breakfast. Can’t recommend this B&B; too highly.”

Portugal--Edward Kranch, Westchester: Praises Hotel Lutecia, Avenue Frei Miguel Contreiras 52, 1700 Lisbon, Portugal. “Entire staff is Swiss-trained. Paid $52, which is a bargain indeed. This is a clean, comfortable hotel.”

France--Dorothy and Jack Paridon, San Clemente: Enjoyed Hotel Fondary, 30 Fondary, 75015 Paris, France. “Large, bright rooms. Under $40 for a double. At Carcassonne we found a fabulous hotel, The La Vicomte. Eddie Aguilar, one of the owners, couldn’t do enough for us. He and everyone at the reception desk speak English. Rates: $55 double, $47.50 single. Address: 18 Rue Camille, Saint-Saens, 11000 Carcassonne, France.”

France--Bert and Nancy Levy, Beverly Hills: Bersoly’s Saint-Germain Hotel, 28 Rue de Lille, 75007 Paris, France. “Most courteously staffed hotel where we’ve ever stayed. In the heart of the antique and decorating area. Rooms $80 U.S., including tax and service.”

France--Bob Evans, Palm Springs: “Enjoyed the three-star Hotel L’Ermitage, 24 Boulevard Paul-Chalvet, 61140 Bagnoles-de-l’Orne, France. Rates vary from 180 to 245 francs ($30 to $40 U.S.) a day.”

France--David W. Harlowe, Sherman Oaks: Recommends that Americans get a copy (in Paris) of “Paris Passion.” Contains 56 pages of theaters, restaurants, the current offerings of Paris. Inside is a 30-page pull-out guide which gives all kinds of current events for the month. To improve the enjoyment of Paris for newcomers and old hands alike, for 25 francs it could be the best buy of your trip.

France--Sylvia and Hi Popkin, Los Angeles: “Just off Route D775 in Brittany we enjoyed a small inn, Moulin Bernard, 56350 Beganne, France. Our room with continental breakfast and two dinners cost 325 French francs. This is well worth a detour.”

Sweden--Gerd Abegglen, Downey: Enjoyed Birger Jarl Hotel, Tulegatan 8, S-104 32 Stockholm. “Four women roomed together for about $26 each. This included an excellent breakfast.”

Fiji--Fran Bioletti, Newport Beach: “Enjoyed vacationing on the schooner Whale’s Tale. One of our best trips ever, cruising around some of Fiji’s remote outer islands. The Whale’s Tale takes up to six guests in cabins with private baths. Every convenience you could wish for, plus delicious food, plentiful booze and a delightful Fijian crew. The Whale’s Tale costs approximately $200 a day per person. Covers absolutely everything except air fare. For booking, contact owner Paul Myers, P.O. Box 9625, Nadi Airport, Fiji.”

Ireland--Richard M. Downing, Los Angeles: Recommends (for 10) “the bed-and-breakfast services of the Grotto Fossa, Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland; Lawndale, 5 Beach Court, Lower Salthill, Galway, County Galway, Ireland, and Ballinode House, Ballinode, Sligo, County Sligo, Ireland.”

Ireland--Al and Fern Thompson, Arcadia: “Two very nice B&Bs--The; Shalom, 19 Eglinton Terrace, Donnybrook, Dublin (11.50 per person) and Hilltop View Country Home, Navigation Road, Mallow, County Cork (9.50 per person).”

West Germany--George and Paul Shecter, Tarzana: “Found a small, charming hotel in Duesseldorf called Am Volksgarten. About 10 minutes from the old city, it is completely refurbished. B&B; about $70 for two. Address is Hotel Am Volksgarten, Flugelstrasse 46, 4000 Duesseldorf 1, West Germany.”

New Zealand--Dr. and Mrs. U. Kyaw Win, Laguna Hills: “Recommend Matai Travel Lodge, Mokonui Street, Te Anau, New Zealand. Owner Marilyn Ridfern is highly knowledgeable about her country’s natural history, enjoys guests and takes interest in them. Excellent meals. Rates $25 for two.”