Pat Dickerman, the travel book author who...

Pat Dickerman, the travel book author who specializes in adventure vacations, has prepared a free newsletter that describes working ranch vacations/wilderness pack trips. Tells about trailing cattle at a 91,000-acre ranch in Wyoming, joining a 10-day cattle drive near Douglas, Wyo. (campfire suppers, tent/trailer shelter). A total of 16 summer/fall trips. Crews set up camp, prepare meals. You ride daily to a new camp. Spectacular scenery, but some rugged riding. Not for sissies.

Rates from $50-$100 a day and up. For a copy of Dickerman’s newsletter, write to Adventure Guides Inc., 36 East 57th St., New York 10022, or call (212) 355-6334.

Royal Flush

Peter Horowitz, an ex-chauffeur for Britain’s Royal Family, has turned tour leader. Describes himself as a “concierge on wheels.” Horowitz features stately homes, privately owned castles, manor houses. Dinners arranged with the Duke and Duchess of Somerset. Horowitz says his Nobility Tour is “run like the British aristocracy run their country house parties” (a choice of 14 stately homes). Horowitz also does golf tours and a “super gourmet tour” (four nights in London, four nights in Paris, or three nights in London, three nights in Cannes, three nights in Paris). Top chefs, superb meals. Horowitz aims to please. He will arrange personalized tours (shopping, garden, castles, fishing, shooting). Travelers get the VIP treatment, start to finish.

Peter Horowitz, Empire Tours, 33 Lyttleton Road, London N2 0DZ, England.

Travel Health Note

Physician-writer Dr. Karl Neumann is taking a crack at the newsletter business. Calls his publication “Traveling Healthy.” Tips on keeping in shape while galavanting around the world. Neumann insists “you can enjoy a safe, healthy trip practically anywhere if you take certain precautions.” His premiere issue discusses sunburn, China, Spain, immunizations, “surfer’s ear.” Published bimonthly, although Neumann intends to go monthly next year. Price: $24 annually.

Traveling Healthy, 108-48 70th Road, Forest Hills, N.Y. 11375.

Paris Apartments

Another note on Paris apartments from Vacation Home Rentals tells us they’ve rounded up lodgings on Rue Franklin off Rue de Passy. Fully equipped kitchens, living/dining rooms, color TV, telephones. Near department stores, specialty food shops, boutiques. The English-speaking VHR staff in Paris helps round up theater tickets, baby sitters, sightseeing tour operators. Price for a one-bedroom apartment (up to three persons) starts as low as $130 a night. Includes maid service daily except weekends. Discounts for monthly rentals. VHR also handles airline ticketing/car rentals with its apartment arrangements.

Details from VHR Worldwide, 235 Kensington Ave., Norwood, N.J. 07648. Note: The same company rents villas in the Bahamas, Caribbean, Central America, Europe, Mexico, the United States.

Belgian Bonus

Young travelers are getting a break in Belgium. Shelter is provided at the International Accommodation Center in Brussels. This is a good location. Within walking distance of a couple of rail stations, metro lines. Rates start at about $9.50 U.S., breakfast included. The center provides accommodations for 131 guests. There’s a cafeteria, disco, TV room. Dinners will cost you about $6. Reservations essential for groups and recommended for individuals. Contact the International Accommodation Center Jacques Brel, Rue de la Sablonniere 30B, 1000 Brussels, Belgium.

Note: An association of host families in Belgium is welcoming travelers. For details, contact the Belgian National Tourist Office, 745 Fifth Ave., Suite 714, New York 10151, (212) 758-8130.

Connecticut/Canada/Aspen

A new 36-page travel guide published in Connecticut is packed with information on attractions, accommodations in the state’s northwestern corner. Details on B&Bs;, campgrounds, country inns, motels, art/antique stores, shopping, cinemas, the performing arts, resorts, restaurants (one with the fetching name The Uncommon Strudel), public transportation, rail excursions, carriage and sleigh rides, canoeing, state parks. The booklet also contains a handy map, addresses of chambers of commerce, stunning color photos. Copies available from the Litchfield Travel Council, Box 1776, MarbleDale, Conn. 06777.

British Columbia has installed a new toll-free information number: (800) 663-6000. Operates seven days a week (ask for a B.C. vacation kit).

Another new toll-free line is operating in Aspen, Colo., (800) 262-7736, for travelers wishing to book lodging/airline reservations. For more information contact the Aspen Resort Assn., 303 E. Main St., Aspen, Colo. 81611.

Reader Recommendations

California--Mary Hendrick, West Covina: “A huge new three-room apartment in San Jose for $50 a night (two-night minimum) or $300 for a week. A wonderful place for visitors to San Francisco. Solves the difficulty of parking in the city (use public transportation instead). Write to Jeanne Andersen, 4271 Manzanita Drive, San Jose 95129.”

Massachusetts--Josephine Moonves, Los Angeles: “A wonderful B&B; in the Berkshires. Spacious accommodations in a renovated carriage house. Rate: $75 a night, including continental breakfast. Write to Bob and Roz Rosenblatt, 56 Cliffwood St., Lenox, Mass. 01240.”

Hawaii--Laura Whitmore, Los Angeles: “A small publication that I’m certain your readers traveling to Kauai would enjoy--the “Kauai 1988-89 Underground Guide.” We picked it up on the island this spring, found it to be a valuable discovery, full of suggestions for restaurants, shopping, hiking, riding, camping, golf, some of the most beautiful beaches in paradise. Publisher: Papaloa Press, 362 Selby Lane, Atherton, Calif. 94025.”

Arizona--Virginia Vivier, Los Angeles: “A great B&B;, the Prescott Pines Inn (13 country Victorian rooms, all with private baths), 901 White Spar Road (U.S. 89 South), Prescott, Ariz. 86303. Innkeepers were so caring that I felt like family. A kitchenette suite was $50. Nice restaurant across the street.”

Caribbean--John McCafferty, Manhattan Beach: “The Heritage Manor, 1-A Snegle Gade, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands 00801, is a beautifully restored home in the town’s historic district, just uphill from the harbor. Five guest rooms, $50/$85 in summer, $60/$95 in winter.”

Switzerland--Claire Haller, Blue Jay: Enjoyed Hotel Butterfly Zermatt, CH-3920 Zermatt, Switzerland. “Price for my single room with a balcony overlooking the village and the Matterhorn was 80 Swiss francs a night, including breakfast. There was a welcome basket in my room with fresh fruits and chocolates.”

Australia--Madeleine and Peter Wood, Rolling Hills Estates: “Found true Australian hospitality with Dave and Lois McKie at their two-bedroom duplex in Port Douglas. Just a two-minute walk from Four Mile Beach. Perfect base for touring the rain forest, taking river trips, exploring beaches, the Great Barrier Reef. Rate: $35 Australian a night ($45 in season). Contact the McKies, 23/25 Limpet Ave., Four Mile Beach, Port Douglas 4871, Queensland, Australia.”

Ireland--John Moriarty, San Diego: “After passing through Glenbeigh at the beginning of the Ring of Kerry, came to Rock Dale B&B; (a small farm). Address Mountain Stage, Glenbeigh, County Kerry Ireland. Overlooks Dingle Bay. Riding, golf, beach. Rates: 26 a night double. Great farm-fresh Irish breakfast.”

England--Michael Herman, Carolyn and Gary Hawn: “Holly Lodge B&B;, a large Victorian House. Magnificent views of Bath. All bedrooms have private baths, color TV, tea/coffee making equipment. This is a nonsmoking house. Rates: 22 per person, including traditional English breakfast. Address: Holly Lodge, 8 Upper Oldfield Park, Bath, Avon BA2 3JZ.”

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.