Loads of pets are flying these days....

Loads of pets are flying these days. Only Jerry Mishler says that sometimes it can be a bum trip. As head of Action Pet Express he’s an authority on air travel for animals. His travel agency for pets (based in Van Nuys) provides taxi service to LAX and other airports.

Action Pet Express assists with health and rabies certificates, quarantine information, customs and public health clearance, shipping kennels. Mishler says: “We do not allow pets to wait unattended at the airport. We check arrival times and are there waiting for their flights.”

Pets should fast for at least eight hours before traveling, Mishler advises. He also lectures against the use of tranquilizers before flights. Action Pet Express provides transportation throughout Southern California (Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Bernardino, San Diego, Imperial, Orange, Riverside counties), operating round-the-clock seven days a week. For Mishler’s file on pet travel send a stamped, self-addressed envelope (legal size) to Action Pet Express, 14338 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys 91401.

California Map

Bob and Sharon Porter have updated their detailed little map of the Northern California coast. Beginning at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, it takes in 26 coastal villages along a 209-mile span of California 1. All the way to Leggett. Details on Stinson Beach, Point Reyes, Tomales, Bodega Bay, the Victorian village of Duncan Mills, Jenner, Ft. Ross, Sea Ranch, Gualala, Little River, Mendocino and Ft. Bragg. This is one of the prettiest stretches of coast in the world. The map contains tips on motels, inns, B&Bs;, restaurants, galleries, gift shops, vacation home rentals, camping/recreation, plus a 24-hour tow-truck number to call in the event you break down.

Free copies from the Porters, P.O. Box 999, Gualala, Calif. 95445.

Africa

A giveaway worth writing for is African Classics’ 56-page brochure on safaris and other activities. Dozens of color photos. Recommendations on game parks for first-timers as well as returning adventurers. Veteran photographer/safari leader Michael W. Fox zeros in on Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Zambia. Other excursions to Rwanda (home of the mountain gorilla), the islands of Lamu and Mauritius, the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. Fox’s brochure contains details on camel and fishing safaris, trips to Mt. Kilimanjaro, Lake Nakuru/Lake Baringo in the Great Rift Valley. For honeymooners there are trips to beaches along the Indian Ocean, wildlife parks, Bill Holden’s old (and elegant) Mt. Kenya Safari Club (riding, tennis, swimming), the Masai Mara and a hot-air balloon ride at Little Governor’s Camp. Even if you’re only an armchair traveler, this handsome booklet is enjoyable reading.

For a free copy, write to African Classics, Department RG1, 625 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago 60611.

Car Rentals

No one denies that Europe is expensive this year, but shrewd planners are beating the rap by using B&Bs; and dining at small neighborhood restaurants. Meanwhile, Connex (based in New York) has put together a car-rental program that’s hard to beat. Prices guaranteed in dollars. Unlimited mileage. Weekly rates: $88 in Luxembourg, $89 in Portugal, $98 in Belgium/Germany, $99 in Spain, $105 in Holland, $112 in Britain, $115 in Yugoslavia, $126 in Israel, $139 in Ireland, $145 in Denmark, $147 in Greece, $154 in Austria/Italy and $199 in Switzerland. Reservations must be made before leaving the United States. Connex also does hotel/car packages with a go-as-you-please plan featuring 500 hotels.

Contact Connex, 983 Main St., Peekskill, N.Y. 10566, toll-free (800) 333-3949.

Alaska

John G. Regan Jr. (based in Anchorage, Alaska) describes himself to travelers as their “host, driver, tour guide and trail boss.” Promises loads of enjoyment on trips in his 25-foot, self-contained motor home. A one-day “turnaround” excursion to the bush village of Hope, Alaska (90 miles south of Anchorage), costs $30. Or for $35 Regan will deliver you to Matanuska Glacier (100 miles east of Anchorage). Both trips include snacks/lunch. Other tours to the Kenai Peninsula. A five-day jaunt visits Denali National Park, Wonder Lake, Fairbanks and GlenAllen. Regan says the five-day outing appeals to travelers who “can do without a radio, TV, newspaper or a shower every night.” Promises his guests that they’ll “see and feel the real Alaska.” Rates from $400 per person. Regan also does custom tours.

John G. Regan Jr., Bed & Breakfast on Wheels, P.O. Box 190411, Anchorage, Alaska 99519-0411.

Island Adventure

International Friendship Service of El Toro keeps popping up with travel bargains. Now it’s a two-night cruise to the island of Corsica (birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte) from Nice/Marseille, France. The ship sails in the evening, arrives early the next morning. Passengers are bused around the island. The cruise/tour with two nights aboard the ship (restaurants, theater, shops, disco) costs $250, including lunch at a mountain village on the island.

International Friendship Service, 22994 El Toro Road, El Toro, Calif. 92630. Call (714) 458-8868.

Holland

A 30-page booklet, “Touring Holland by Rail,” is offered free by the Netherlands Board of Tourism. Details on 24 different day excursions ($14 to $61). Included are trips to The Hague, Delft (the 17th-Century city famed for its porcelain), the fishing villages of Volendam and Marken, De Hoge Veluwe (the Dutch nature park and museum containing Van Gogh masterpieces) and Rotterdam (featuring a boat tour).

Write to the Netherlands Board of Tourism, 90 New Montgomery St., Suite 305, San Francisco 94105. Telephone (213) 678-8802.

Budget Travel

Nearly 500 colleges and universities (both in the United States and overseas) will be offering guest lodging this summer with rates starting at around $6. U.S. accommodations are available by the day, week or month. Single/double rooms. Some bedroom apartments. Overseas lodging is offered by 235 universities in 25 countries. Rates, types of accommodations, food service, etc., is provided in a compact guide, “U.S. & Worldwide Travel Accommodations,” P.O. Box 5007, Laguna Beach 92652. Sells for $9.95. This is a bit steep for a thin (68-page) booklet, but used wisely there could be substantial savings, particularly for the student traveling on a budget.

Road Atlas

For Francophiles, Rand McNally has published a superb new large-scale-format road atlas. Divides France into 22 regions. Contains four pages of maps on Paris alone. In addition, there are 25 inset maps of cities with populations topping the 100,000 mark. Symbols direct motorists to ruins, spas, castles, cathedrals, abbeys, churches, caves, museums, shrines, canals. A list of attractions, plus charts showing distances between towns. Available at bookstores ($12.95).

Reader Recommendations

California--Victoria and John Bennett, Los Angeles: “A gem of a bed and breakfast, the Ojai Manor Hotel, 210 E. Matilija, Ojai, Calif. 93023. An old California feeling embraces us each time we walk through the door. All rooms are $75 a night, none with private baths. A short drive puts you at Wheeler Springs for a relaxing mineral bath and massage.”

California--Clara Hutton, Ventura: “A new B&B; experience aboard the 96-foot Principia in the Ventura Marina. From $150 to $250. Full breakfast in the galley. For reservations, call (805) 647-0651 or (805) 642-1919.”

Massachusetts--Bob and Liz Smith, Venice: Enjoyed Pilgrim Plymouth B&B;, P.O. Box 3383, Plymouth, Mass. 02361. “Sumptuous Yankee breakfast. Spacious bedrooms, $65. New England’s friendliest hosts.”

California--Bruce and Jana Kidd, Yorba Linda, Calif.: “We spent a wonderful weekend in Pierpoint Springs, Calif., a small community 3 1/2 hours from Los Angeles in the southern Sierra, surrounded by Sequoia National Forest. Our ‘cabin’ was actually a brand-new home, and for $75 a night offered spectacular views, accommodations for eight and all the modern conveniences. Weekly rates are available. For more information, contact Shelley or Mike at Mountain Home Care, P.O. Box 95, Camp Nelson, Calif. 93208, (209) 542-2822.”

Hawaii--Mrs. J. Morgan, Los Angeles: “Just returned from a week in paradise at the Hana-Maui Hotel. Operates on the American plan ($415 for a double in a sumptuous suite with living room, wet bar, king bed, garden bath, private outdoor lanai). Expensive and worth it. Reservations: P.O. Box 8, Hotel Hana-Maui, Hawaii 96713.

Hawaii--Judy Glassmaker, Culver City: “New at Hilton Hawaiian Village is the Tropics Surf Club. Singing star John Rowles has an energy-charged show. Fabulous buffet dinner. The club converts to a disco at 9:30 p.m. Party atmosphere with laser lights, videos, confetti. Learn dance steps from dancing waitresses and bartenders. Buffet and show, $41.50. Disco $5 cover.”

New Mexico--Howard Wisse, Woodland Hills: “Stayed with Larry and Lila Goodman at their new Sierra Mesa Lodge near Ruidoso. Five charming guest rooms with private baths. Indoor hot tub. Near Ski Apache ski basin, Ruidoso Downs race track, Lincoln National Forest. Place and people terrific. Cooking out of the ordinary. Rates: $65 for two a night, including breakfast. Write to Sierra Mesa Lodge, Ft. Stanton Road, P.O. Box 463, Alto, N.M. 88312.”

Washington--Ruth Robinson, Santa Monica: “Elegant restored Victorian mansion on lovely tree-lined street two blocks from Pioneer Park and 15-minute bus ride to city center. Pleasing ambiance, obliging management, delicious breakfast. Rates $45 to $145. Write: Shafer Mansion; Lee Vennes, manager; 907 14th Ave. E., Seattle, Wash. 98102.”

Mexico--Parker and Margaret Kemp, Long Beach: “Wonderful relatively new restaurant, Casa de Tony, in a restored 1800s home in Old Mazatlan at 111 Mariano Escobedo Pointe. Food is excellent, prices moderate. Reservations recommended.”

England--Charles Wordsworth, Lancaster: “The Grey Horse Inn, Great Edstone, York WO6 PD, England. A delightful little 17th-Century inn in a small hamlet. Just over half an hour’s drive north of the historic city of York. Excellent dining room and provides B&B; service year-round. In James Herriot country and also close to Castle Howard (‘Brideshead Revisited’) and Rievaulx Abbey. About $26 U.S. per person.”

England--Sandra Hoffman, Studio City: “The Inverness Hotel, Inverness Terrace, London W2 3JL. Old World elegance. Singles 40, doubles 57. Also, John Howard Hotel, 4 Queens Gate, London SW7 5EH. Across from Kensington Park. Very friendly staff. Singles 45, doubles 75.”

England--Anne Littler, Cerritos: “Quaker Cottage, Hutton-Le-Hole, North Yorkshire YO6 6UA, England. The perfect base from which to see the Yorkshire moors. Immaculate house. Built by Quakers more than 300 years ago. Cost: about $19 U.S. per person a night, including breakfast. Bath facilities down the hall. Evening meals (four courses) available for under $12 each.”

England--Mrs. Louise Blum, Downey: “Last fall two companions and I enjoyed the services of Basil Burrows of Meon Car Hire, 45 Meon Road, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire County, England. The most memorable and enjoyable day I’ve ever spent in England. Basil is extremely knowledgeable about the countryside, the perfect English gentleman. Cost for a full day was 60.”

England--Mary Pat Don, Manhattan Beach: “Recommend Pembridge Court Hotel, 34 Pembridge Gardens, London W2 4DX. Newly redecorated, convenient to Nottinghill underground. Superb, casual restaurant in hotel. Special hotel weekend rates 45 to 85. Excellent new restaurant within walking distance is Kensington Place, 201-205 Kensington Church St.; continental cuisine, full bar, moderate prices.”

England--Anne and John Currie, Tujunga, Calif.: “Recommend the B&B; of Mrs. Mardie Rutherford in Pendeen, Cornwall. On the moors, it is ideally sited for exploring the Cornish countryside. Comfortable rooms, an enormous and delicious home-cooked breakfast and friendly, helpful people. Write to Mrs. M. J. Rutherford, 2 Boscaswell Terrace, Pendeen, Penzance, Cornwall.”

Scotland--John O’Hara, Thousand Oaks: “Recommend Tighnuilt House in the village of Innerleithen 26 miles south of Edinburgh, with easy access to Glasgow, Carlisle and Newcastle. Surrounded by beautiful gardens overlooking the River Tweed, which has marvelous trout fishing in season. Large rooms, dining room, bar and game room. Robin and Margaret Mayhew and their family go to great lengths to accommodate their guests. Rate of 15 per person includes breakfast. About 8 for the evening meal. Write to Tighnuilt House, Peebles Road, Innerleithen, Peeblesshire EH44 6RD, Scotland.”

Scotland--Louis R. McCreight, Rancho Palos Verdes: Recommends North Kessock Hotel, which has views across the firth toward Inverness and mountains beyond. Rate of 15 per person includes breakfast. Write to North Kessock Hotel, North Kessock by Inverness (one mile north of Kessock Bridge, five minutes from town center), Scotland.

Wales--Dr. Bettyjane Morrison Poage, San Diego: “For your readers who loved Fern Cottage outside Bath, and Jean and Dennis Goodhind, the proprietors, they have moved to Wales, where they now own the Wye Valley Hotel, Tintern (02918) 441, near Chipstow, Quent NP6 65P, Wales, U.K. The old coaching inn is spacious. All rooms are en suite (with bath) at 18 per person. Outstanding chef. A 10-minute drive from Bristol Parkway rail station. Hiking, horseback riding, canoeing and natural beauty.”

Wales--Connie Parks, Visalia, Calif.: Recommends the Tregenna Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil, Wales. “It’s about an hour’s drive north of Cardiff and a gateway to Brecon Beacons National Park. Operated by the Hurley family, the hotel has a superior dining room. Rates are 36 and include sumptuous breakfast.”

Ecuador--Hank and Priscilla Brodkin, Marina del Rey: “Recently we spent a couple of weeks at La Selva, a new jungle lodge opened by California writer Eric Schwartz on the Rio Napo in the Amazon basin of Ecuador. In a breathtakingly beautiful setting overlooking a lake. The lodge features delicious food, comfortable though rustic accommodations in twin-bed cabins with cold-water showers. The basic overnight package includes transportation from Quito and five days at La Selva for $650 U.S. For more information, call toll-free (800) 247-2925.”

Italy--James Berkovec, Claremont, Calif.: “The 300-year-old Grand Bretagne Hotel in Montecatini has been recently restored, with modern rooms, antique furnishings, Italian art and artifacts plus handcrafted wood and stone interior. In the heart of Montecatini, the center of Tuscany, where Italians go for the curative waters. Easy to reach Siena, Firenze (Florence), Pisa and Livorno (Leghorn). Elegant double room with super breakfast, $105 U.S.”

New Zealand--Armony Share, Sherman Oaks: “Found a fantastic B&B; on Ohope Beach on the east coast of North Island, called The Rafters. Immaculate, warm and homey. Swimming pool and hot tub. Right on the sheltered beach with driftwood, various birds and seashell life. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises. About four miles away is the oldest Maori village in New Zealand. Rates about $60 N.Z. for two, including breakfast (they provide food and you make your own at your leisure). Each room is a suite with bedroom, living room, kitchenette and private bathroom. Owners Mavis and Pat Rafters are delightful, caring people. Write to The Rafters, Ohope Beach, New Zealand.”

Saipan--Jack Fletcher, Los Angeles: “If you go to the island of Saipan of the Marianas group in the Western Pacific, drop in for dinner at Oceana House in the Hyatt Regency Hotel to listen to the extraordinary piano of Bruno, who also does an occasional haunting vocal. Bruno, an Italian gentleman, said he was wandering around the world and got waylaid on the island about 14 years ago. Sometimes his elegant piano is augmented by Mike, an American from Minnesota, on the sax. During the day both teach music at North Marianas College. They’re something to hear.”