Washington state’s Harry Ellis is back leading...

Washington state’s Harry Ellis is back leading tours through the San Juan Islands to British Columbia. Last summer Virginia Hutcheson of Manhattan Beach traveled with Ellis, describes him as “good-natured, accommodating, knows his subject.”

Ellis’ groups are small. Only eight passengers in a 15-passenger van. Trips take in Vancouver Island. Afterward there’s a 12-hour ferry ride through the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert. Stunning scenery and a side trip to Hyder, “the friendliest ghost town in Alaska.” At Hyder the group takes time out to fish for salmon/trout. Returning to Seattle they zero in on Prince George and the Frazier Valley. Overnight stops at lake-shore inns. The nine-day tour costs $689 (includes transportation, ferry rides, lunches, nine nights’ accommodations). Ellis also does camping trips, custom tours of the Pacific Northwest, a camping/fishing tour of Vancouver Island, backpacking to the Olympic Mountains, plus the beaches of Washington state.

Contact Harry Ellis c/o Venture Outdoors, 5354 Roby Place N.E., Bainbridge Island, Wash. 98110. Telephone (206) 842-3189.

Italian Villas

We ran an item several Sundays ago about villa rentals in Italy’s Tuscany area. Now comes a note from Beth Davies of Italian Villa Rentals with additional listings of other villas/apartments in the same region. This is a good base for trips to Florence, Pisa, Torre del Lago (Puccini’s hometown), Genoa, Portofino, Siena, the wine country of Chianti.

Davies will rent you a one-bedroom apartment for as little as $262 a week. She’s also taking reservations for a two-bedroom home (sleeps four) for $535 a week. This figures out to a trifle more than $20 a night per person. With all the talk about the high cost of European vacations, it’s one way to cut expenses. Most villas are near the village of Marina di Pietrasanta. This is on the Mediteranean (between Genoa and Pisa).

Contact Beth Davies, Italian Villa Rentals, 10700 Northup Way, Suite 222-C, Bellevue, Wash. 98004-1437. Telephone (206) 827-3694. The overseas address: Toscana Mare Villas, Piazza 24 Maggio 25-26, 55044 Marina di Pietrasanta, Italy.

The Grand Tour

Travel agent Richard Mandl says he has “condensed 45 years of travel experience into a 14-day tour to places I like very much.” The European holiday (limited to seven persons) will feature small inns/restaurants. The tour begins in Munich at the 500-year-old Hotel Torbrau. Next stop: Hotel Zugspitz at Garmisch-Partenkirchen (smashing view of Germany’s tallest mountain). In Austria, Mandl has chosen a retreat near Salzburg that was a favorite of Emperor Franz Joseph. In Vienna the group will dine in a restaurant dating from 1447. The trip winds up with a journey on the Danube to Budapest and dinner in an Old World restaurant, with Hungarian musicians cranking out romantic melodies on the violin. Cost of the tour ($2,430) includes land transportation, hotels, sightseeing, most meals. Air fare is extra.

Other details from Mandl at Truly European Holidays, 250 East 1st St., Suite 912, Los Angeles 90012, or call (213) 624-1543.

Maui Rental

Ed Gaines of Visalia wants a rental on Maui “with all the comforts.” We know of a two-story hideaway that overlooks the Kaanapali Coast. Only minutes from the old whaling village of Lahaina. Four bedrooms, 4 1/2 baths, kitchen, a couple of bars, a library/office and an authentic teahouse. A maid/cook does the chores. Guests unwind in a sunken upstairs living room (a smashing view of the ocean framed by the islands of Lanai and Molokai). “For a select view who appreciate the very best in luxury resort accommodations,” says Noel Irwin-Hentschel, who spent a bunch of coconuts creating this holiday home she calls Chiang Mai. The master bedroom features cable TV, a VCR, a movie library, views of the ocean. It’s expensive. Depending on the season, rates run $1,500/$3,000 a week.

For details write to Chiang Mai, 2500 Kuhio Ave., 2nd Floor, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815. Or call (808) 922-2380.

Touring New York

A series of day tours of the Big Apple is being offered this summer by the Guide Service of New York. Tours also feature Manhattan’s other four boroughs. Tailored for walkers, riders, bicyclists. Pedal through Central Park, visit the Lower East Side, do an Irish pub crawl or ride out to Coney Island, Sleepy Hollow, the Hudson Valley. Excursions to Staten Island, Yorkville, the Bronx Zoo, Little Ukraine, Little Italy, Hoboken.

The Irish pub crawl ($42) includes a meal and a drink, takes in several Irish watering holes en route to a pub with authentic Irish music/atmosphere. The tour of the Lower East Side ($15) features noshing with a sampling of rugelach, bialys, knishes, halvah and other Jewish delights. (This group visits Manhattan’s only remaining kosher winery.)

For a brochure write to Guide Service of New York, 445 West 45th St., New York 10036. Telephone (212) 408-3332.

Books/Gadgets

Dozens of mail-order houses specialize in travel gadgets. Now along comes Hal Moscowitz, who is doing business out of a new retail store in Thousand Oaks. Walk in, browse, exchange pleasantries with Moscowitz. Handles all sorts of accessories: inflatable pillows, “body safes,” maps, guides, videos, foreign language tapes, voltage regulators. And a brand-new item: a pocket-size translator with a vocabulary containing 8,000 words (choices of French, Spanish, German). Just push a key and out pops the word you’re after. Moscowitz (his wife is a professional librarian) also stocks books. Operates out of a pleasant, refurbished home. Laid-back, casual. (If what you need isn’t in stock, Moscowitz will order it.)

The Complete Travel Emporium, 61 N. Oakview Drive, Thousand Oaks 91362. Telephone (805) 494-0034. (Note: Leave the Ventura Freeway at the Hampshire off-ramp.)

Switzerland

If you’re visiting Switzerland this summer, here’s a one-day trip worth considering. Starts aboard a turn-of-the-century paddle-wheeler in Lucerne (delivers passengers to Fluelen at the southern end of the lake). Passengers are served a three-course meal en route. At Fluelen they join a luxury train (the TEE Rheingold) for a trip through the Gotthard rail tunnel and an entirely different world: lake-front palm trees, subtropical flowers. The price ($81 U.S.) includes the meal aboard the paddle-wheeler.

Write to the Swiss National Tourist Office, 250 Stockton St., San Francisco 94108 and ask for details about the William Tell Express Steamer/Train package. Or call (415) 362-2260.

Letter From London

If you’re one of those romantics who left your heart in London, Mary Anne Evans figures she can brighten your day. A Britisher, she produces a newsletter that keeps American travelers up to date on happenings outside the city as well as London itself. A recent copy tells about dining at the House of Lords (“formal dress stipulated”). Tips on unusual shops, museums, country cottages, restaurants, theaters, antiquing, gardens. Another issue offers an insider’s view of the pubs of Oxford, its ancient colleges, gardens, parks, museums. In other items, Evans discusses art courses at Sotheby’s and reminisces about a trip she made to Herefordshire.

Her latest newsletter describes an “old-fashioned hotel” near Victoria (“very good for single ladies, mothers and daughters”), the Chelsea flower show, restaurants, pubs, theaters and a shopping service for Americans on the run.

Evans’ newsletter costs $49 a year. Her U.S. address: Letter From London, 63 East 79th St., No. 4-A, New York 10021. Or you can call toll-free (800) 223-6450.

Reader Recommendations

California--Merrill Plan, Santa Monica: “A fabulous retreat, Timberhill Ranch near Cazadero, two hours north of San Francisco and four miles inland from the coast. In majestic hills that ooze tranquillity and peace. We were thoroughly pampered throughout our stay. The food is a gourmand’s delight and is served with elegance. The ranch consists of 80 acres, only 10 cottages. Cars not permitted on the ranch proper. No television or telephone in the rooms. Activities: tennis, hiking, jigsaw puzzling. The $250-a-day tariff weekdays, $270 weekends includes all meals. Would highly recommend it to anyone.” Timberhill Ranch, 35755 Hauser Bridge Road, Cazadero, Calif. 95421.

California--Mrs. Robert Freidin, Glendale: “Delightful small resort on Coffee Creek in Northern California. Very clean, well-equipped cabins rent from $50 to $60 a day or $350 to $420 a week. Hiking, fishing, wonderful swimming hole. Write Don and Fran Lethbridge, Route 2, Box 4790, Trinity Center, Calif. 96091.”

California--Ken Kaitschuck, North Hollywood: Recommends The Next Stage, Box 35269, Los Angeles 90035 for “interesting trips in the Southern California area . . . tours to Santa Barbara, San Juan Capistrano, Santa Cruz Island, San Diego, etc.”

Arizona--Sharon and Ted Drake, Arcadia, Calif.: “Enjoyed a wonderful lunch and dinner at the Off-Main Street restaurant, “Eat Your Heart Out,” in Sedona. Homemade breads, soups, sandwiches, quiche for lunch. Dinner, prepared by Chef Dean, featured French cooking with raspberry sauce on breast of chicken--unusually good dish. Fresh bread, fresh vegetables and extravagant desserts as well as good wine. Prices moderate, service excellent. At 350 Jordan Road, Sedona, Ariz. 86336.”

New York--Roy Kunkle, Corona Del Mar: “Highly recommend Terrace Five restaurant, Level Five, Trump Tower, 725 Fifth Ave., New York City. Great food, marvelous atmosphere, friendly and efficient personnel. Prices $15 to $22 for entrees.”

Mexico--Shirley Williams, Montclair: High praise for Global Adventures, 350 N. El Camino Real, No. 36, Encinitas, Calif. 92024. “I just completed a Copper Canyon Mexico trip that was absolutely the best!”

England--Jack P. Gabriel, Carson, Calif.: “Do I have a recommendation for you!” The Knightsbridge Service Flats, 45 Ennismore Gardens, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1AQ, England. Great location for shopping, restaurants and transportation. They have single apartments that sleep two, fully furnished, with kitchen, bath, TV and phone, plus daily maid service. Rate about $640 U.S. a week.”

England--Linda and Jack Hathaway, Pacific Palisades: “A lovely old Georgian home above the sea in North Devon called Clooneavin. Address: Lynmouth, Devon EX35 6EE. Rate: 12.50 with breakfast and bath. Also, the New Haven Hotel, 1 Pound St., Lyme Regis, Dorset DT7 3HZ. Rate: 10. Super breakfast, charming town, a great base for touring Dorsett.”

England--M. L. Roman, Glendale: “Jackie and David Parrish’s annex to their 16th-Century farmhouse ideal for anyone driving who wants to be in the country but near London. Self-catering facilities, sleeps two to four persons. 200 a week or 15 per person a night includes breakfast. Write to the Old Farm, Hog Lane, Ashley Green, Chesham, Buckinghamshire, England HP5 3PY.”

Scotland--Barbara H. Ohara, Anchorage, Alaska: Recommends Heriott Park Guest House, 256 Ferry Road, Edinburgh EH5 3AN, Scotland. “We paid 11 per person in February. Coffee and tea available in rooms and in the lounge. Breakfast was excellent. Dinner is available.”

France--Barbara Kraus, San Luis Obispo: “Hotel Splendid Etoile, a four-star, turn-of-the-century classic. Swing open your French doors and you have an unobstructed view of the Arc de Triomphe. Location is outstanding. A small lobby, rooms tastefully done. At $106 U.S. a night double, including tax and service, this could very well be the best buy in Paris. Address: 1 Avenue Carnot, 75017 Paris. Reserve in the United States by calling toll-free (800) 448-8355.” Note: Breakfast is extra.

Argentina--Bea Nash, Seal Beach: Suss Hotel, Buenos Aires 59, Cordoa. Rates $22 U.S. single. Super service, swimming pool, close to main plaza and shops. Los Orquideas, Iguacu Falls. Charming hotel with large verandas and pool. Excellent food. Dinner for two with wine was $8 U.S. Hotel rates: $22.50 for two.

New Zealand--Linda Pain, San Diego: “Marvelous B&B; farm visit hosted by Pat and Derek Turnbull. We were there for a small part of their sheep-shearing season. Derek is a master marathoner. Rate N.Z. $27 for single, N.Z. $44 double including breakfast. Write to Pat Turnbull, Sherwood Farm, Tussock Creek, No. 6 R.D., Invercargill, New Zealand, or contact Rural Holidays, Box 2155, Christchurch, New Zealand.”

New Zealand--Harold Guggenheimer, Laguna Hills: “The Academy Motel, 64 Creyke Road, Christchurch. Spacious suites. Close to the airport. Rate: $77.50 N.Z. double.”

Belize--Mrs. E. D. Warren, Long Beach: Enjoyed guide services of Elijah Sutherland. “He did a very professional job for us. Can arrange tours to Mayan ruins, jungle trips and river tours. He also has rental cars. He can be reached at 127 Neal Pan Road, Belize City, Belize. The cost for two of us for a nine-hour sightseeing trip in a new air-conditioned, four-wheel wagon was $300 U.S. Included lunch and admissions. The total cost for up to six people would be the same.”

We regret that only a select few recommendations can be used. They must be brief (typewritten or printed). Only one recommendation per reader, please. Note: Recommendations will not be used unless prices and addresses are included.