If you’ve ever had the urge to...

If you’ve ever had the urge to live the good life on a Greek island, Constantin Mavrikis is waiting in the wings. Mavrikis, born in Greece, is steering American travelers to homes/villas on a dozen of the best-known islands in the Aegean. Beach houses on Skyros and Corfu. Others on Mykonos, Santorini, Rhodes, Paros, Amorgos, Crete. Rates from $65 U.S. a night for a one-bedroom hideaway to $175 for a two-bedroom bungalow (kitchen, bath, swimming pool, tennis court). Mykonos, with its whitewashed homes/churches, is an island favored by other Americans. Book for a week or the entire summer. Mavrikis also provides maid service, rental cars, airport pickups.

Constantin Mavrikis, Complete Vacations Inc., 38 West 39th St., New York 10018, or call (212) 944-7909.

A Small Hotel

There’s no question, Bruges is Belgium’s most romantic village. A network of canals, flower stalls, a colorful marketplace, ancient homes. The Pandhotel is a good choice for travelers looking for a touch of elegance. Only 18 rooms with baths, color TV. This is an old house that’s been renovated. A handsome lobby-lounge with crystal chandeliers, a cozy bar. In a quiet section of Bruges near the canals. For $289 U.S. (two nights, two persons) you get lodging, a daily breakfast buffet, a guided tour of town, tickets to the top museums, dinner in one of Bruges’ best restaurants (wine included), a gift and a canal trip.

Write to Pandhotel, Pandreitje 16, Bruges, Belgium.

Scottish Country House

Shieldhill Manor is an 800-year-old Norman manor between Edinburgh and Glasgow that’s been restored by a couple of Californians (Christine Dunstan, who owns the Cheshire Cat Inn in Santa Barbara, and ex-travel agency exec Jack Greenwald). They spent a year putting Shieldhill in shape. Nine rooms, all with private baths. Some with wood-burning fireplaces, four-poster beds, Jacuzzis. Guests are pampered. Terry-cloth robes, special soaps, hair dryers. Travelers relax over coffee in an oak-paneled lounge. The resident ghost rattles through the house. Shieldhill was built in 1199. A member of the prestigious Romantik Hotels & Restaurants group. Rates (double occupancy) run 79/119.

Contact Andrea Dunstan in Tarzana at (818) 345-7704.

Irish Bonus

Ireland has an ambitious campaign under way to attract new travelers. Incentives include a $50 rebate for car rentals between Sept. 15 and Nov. 15. This is a government deal in cooperation with the Car Rental Council of Ireland. Book in advance or wait till you get to the Auld Sod. Renters must take a car for at least seven days. Travelers booking fly-drive packages qualify for the rebate. The cost is being shared by the government in an effort to attract off-season travelers.

Contact the Irish Tourist Board, 757 3rd Ave., 19th Floor, New York 10017, or telephone (212) 418-0800.

Italian Guide

Italy has produced a handy guide (78 pages) that’s filled with general information for travelers. Contains summaries on the country’s 20 regions. Names airlines that serve Italy, tells about customs regulations, currency, tipping, banking hours, climate. Lists flea markets, sightseeing, guide services, advice on papal audiences, addresses for villa/apartment rentals, youth hostels, museums, art galleries. There’s a calendar of events (music festivals, concerts, art exhibitions) and a section that tells how to secure tickets for musical/theatrical events. Other sections cover golf, tennis, yachting, riding, fishing, winter sports.

Free copies from the Italian Government Travel Office, 360 Post St., Suite 801, San Francisco 94108.

Travel Health Service

A group of Santa Monica physicians is specializing in health services for travelers. Operating as an official vaccination center, they provide required/recommended vaccinations. Travelers fill in a questionnaire to determine health risks they may face overseas. Details are fed into a computer using the latest advisories from the Centers for Disease Control, the State Department and the World Health Organization. Patients are given an 80-page (pocket-size) health guide written by one of the physicians. Medical kits also available. Tips on jet lag, motion sickness, exotic diseases. Destinations covered by the medical group range from Angola to Zimbabwe.

For questions about fees/consultations, contact Travel Health Service c/o Santa Monica Physicians, 804 7th St., Santa Monica 90403, (213) 395-5588.

Cheaper in Japan

It’s difficult to imagine anything being cheap in Japan, but the nation’s tourist office has produced a leaflet listing nearly 200 “inexpensive” restaurants in 16 cities. Japanese, Chinese, Western-style meals (even a Golden Arches and a Shakey’s listed). These restaurants are scattered from Sapporo on Hokkaido to Kagoshima on Kyushu Island. Besides naming restaurants, the JNTO leaflet gives addresses/telephone numbers of tourist information centers. Free copies from the Japan National Tourist Organization, 624 S. Grand Ave., Suite 2640, Los Angeles 90017. Telephone (213) 623-1952.

Short Takes

--Hundreds of lodgings for under $40 (U.S. and Canada) are listed in “Budget Motels” ($8.95) published by MarLor Press, 4304 Brigadoon Drive, St. Paul, Minn. 55136.

--British Columbia is offering a free 60-page magazine-size booklet containing details on adventure resorts, canoeing/kayaking, biking, river rafting, sailing/scuba diving, fishing, guest ranches, trail riding, trekking, parks. Free copies from Tourism British Columbia, (213) 380-9171.

--For copies of a 130-page magazine/guide on Australia, write to the Australian Tourist Commission, 2121 Avenue of the Stars, Suite 1200, Los Angeles 90067, or call (213) 552-1988.

--The booklet “Camping Guide 1988-89” (names more than 100 camping areas within the U.S. national park system) is available for $3.50 from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

--For a 19-page list of 450 events taking place this summer between San Francisco and Oregon, send $1 to the Redwood Empire Assn., One Market Plaza, Spear Street Tower, Suite 1001, San Francisco 94105.

--Brochures describing small properties in Palm Springs are being mailed free by the Small Discoveries Hotel Assn., 611 S. Palm Canyon Drive, Suite 7-330, Palm Springs, 92264.

Reader Recommendations

California--Carmelita Aman, Apple Valley: “A delightful, secluded inn nestled in the oak-studded hillsides of Carmel Valley, Robles del Rio Lodge, 200 Punta del Monte, Carmel Valley, Calif. 93924. Charming double rooms from $49 up.”

California--Mrs. John R. Stahr, Corona Del Mar: “Aunt Abigail’s, 2120 G St., Sacramento 95816. A colonial revival mansion built in 1912. Susanne Ventura cooks a wonderful breakfast. Rates: $55/$80.”

California--Lya van den Oever, Temple City: “Had a marvelous time at The Pelican Cove Inn, 320 Walnut Ave., Carlsbad 92008. Beautiful room and surroundings. Rates: $85/$125.”

Colorado--Karen Chernekoff, Los Angeles: Enjoyed the Baldpate Inn, 4900 S. Highway 7, Estes Park, Colo. 80517. Rates: $70/$95. “Includes breakfast and all the hospitality the Lois Smith family can provide.”

New Zealand--Barry Murphy, El Toro: “Ledwich Lodge, a modern motel at 12-14 Lake Road, Rotorua, New Zealand. Rates for a double: $71.50 N.Z. An excellent base for day-touring. Centrally located in the thermal area of the North Island. Units have a view of the lake. Two units are configured for handicapped. A coin-operated laundry is available.”

France--Sidney Soffer, Van Nuys: “On the French Riviera, Hotel Le Panoramic, 3 Ave. Albert, 06230 St. Jean, Cap-Ferrat. Every room has a balcony. A beautiful view of the sea. Price in season is 540 francs. Our bill for three nights came to $275.”

Jamaica--Blaine and Lois Strickland, Diamond Bar: “The Ambience Resort Hotel, P.O. Box 20, Runaway Bay, Jamaica, offers a seven-day package through Air Jamaica that provides air, hotel and transfers for $579 per person from Los Angeles. The hotel is about halfway between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. Restaurant is superior.”

Soviet Union--Ann Flatten, Yorba Linda: “The best tour I have ever taken was organized by the Center for U.S.-U.S.S.R. Initiatives, 3268 Sacramento St., San Francisco 94115.”

Wales--Leo and Eleanor Fiertl, Cayucos: “A lovely B&B;, Dewis Cyfarfod, Llandderfel, Bala, Gwynedd, Wales. Price: 12.50 to 14.50 per person for a double, breakfast included. Decor is country French, hosts are charming. A real treat.”

Canada--Ed and Linda Kushner, Beverly Hills: “In British Columbia we stayed in a delightful B&B; called the Traveler, 1143 Leonard St., Victoria, B.C. V8V 2S3. Rooms with shared bath: $40/$50 Canadian.”

Mexico--M. Frey, Huntington Beach: “An excellent 1-year-old apartment hotel, Suites Elena Mar, Jose Clemente Orozco 500, Zona Hotelera Las Glorias, Puerto Vallarta, Jal., Mexico. Rate: $39.95 U.S. a night.”

Australia--Connie Merritt, Laguna Beach: A B&B;, 19 Clarina St., Chapel Hill, 4069 Queensland, Australia. Rates: $24/$48 U.S.

England--Simon Wilder, Los Angeles: “The Brook House Hotel, 52 Stamford Brook Road, Chiswick W6, England. About $82, includes a full breakfast. Exceptionally quiet, short walking distance to excellent transportation, bus or underground, to the heart of London.”

England--George W. Carrington, Beverly Hills: “Farmhouse west of Oxford. Twin-bed room with TV, breakfast. Rate: 100 per person a week. Weekends (Friday night to Monday morning) 50 per person. Contact C. M. Squire, Macaroni Downs Farm, Eastleach, Cirencester, Gloucestershire GL7 3PU, England.”

England--G. E. Hirst, Irvine: “A B&B; in the heart of the North Yorkshire moors, the Royal Oak Inn, Gillamoor, Kirkbymoorside, North Yorkshire, England. About $24 per person, including a full English breakfast. Comfortable rooms with individual shower units.”

England--Isolde Schwartzman, Hollywood: “Found a wonderful, friendly tour guide--Rosemary Loverock, 17 Inglethorpe St., London SW6 6NS. She arranged an itinerary suited to our interests. Recommended a beautiful small hotel, Summer Lodge, Evershot, Dorset DT2 OJR. Serves gourmet meals. Has tennis courts and a pool. Set in peaceful, quiet countryside. Rates per person for one night’s accommodation with afternoon tea, dinner, breakfast: 55/75.”

England--Suzanne and Bob Chapman, Orange: “A charming B&B;, Inverlodden Cottage, Wargrave, Berkshire, England. Rates: 12.50 per person. Full English breakfast, large, cozy room with a private bath overlooking lawn sloping to banks of Thames.”

England--Alice Gerold, Canoga Park: “A delightful 12th-Century inn and pub, Journey’s End Inn, Ringmore Near Kingsbridge, Devon TQ7 48L. Home-cooked pub meals available. Rooms with bath: 16.50 per person, including a full English breakfast.”

England--Dorothy Kay, San Marino: “Northlands Farmhouse, Ketches Lane, Sheffield Park, East Sussex TN22 3RX. Host pickup at Gatwick Airport. About $50 in 1987 for two.”

England--Barbara Snowdon, Redlands: Enjoyed Somerset House Hotel & Restaurant, 35 Bathwick Hill, Bath BA2 6LD. Rates (dinner, bed and breakfast): 31, or 21 for bed and breakfast only. “A no-smoking house. Meals were superb. Anyone going to Bath would find the hotel peaceful.”

England--James Stanley and Christine Vertosick, Santa Monica: “Spent four days in England’s stunning Lake District at a wonderful B&B;, the Archway Guest House, 13 College Road, Windermere LA23 1BY Cumbria, England. Rate: 11.50 per person including breakfast, 6.50 for a three-course evening meal.”

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.