After reading a brief note in Travel...

After reading a brief note in Travel Tips about John La Point’s Travelin’ Singles, Ann Wymore of Tarzana requests additional details. Here we go: La Point launched Travelin’ Singles in 1980. Caters primarily to travelers in their 30s, 40s, 50s. La Point uses regularly scheduled airlines. Groups visit Hawaii, Mexico, Europe, South America, the Orient.

“There isn’t any trip we won’t arrange if our members request it,” says La Point, who matches singles with roommates of the same sex. La Point hosts get-together cocktail parties, makes restaurant reservations, arranges for side trips. This is a club that’s devoted strictly to singles.

John La Point, Travelin’ Singles Inc., P.O. Box 1343, Bellflower 90706. Call (213) 920-9009 or (714) 530-5269.

Home Swap in Mexico

This note from Cory Gray of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico: “I am interested in exchanging my colonial-style home here for a nice home or large apartment on the Westside of Los Angeles for three or four weeks during September. September is festival month here and there are many interesting activities, including a celebration equal to our Fourth of July with lots of fireworks and wonderful music. My home has three bedrooms, 3 1/2 baths. It’s 2 1/2 blocks from the town square. I have full-time help.”

Write to Cory Gray, Hernandez Macias No. 44, San Miguel de Allende, GTO Mexico 37700.

Thailand on a Budget

For about $65 U.S. a day, couples can vacation at the Dusit Laguna Beach Resort on the island of Phuket in Thailand (about $52 for a single). The offer is good through Oct. 31. Includes accommodations, breakfast, a welcome drink, afternoon tea, complimentary newspaper, unlimited tennis, a souvenir, airport pickup. Special amenities for honeymooners (dinner/wine for those booking five nights or longer).

Phuket has gained international attention in the last few years. A great spot to rest up after touring the Orient. The Dusit Laguna (240 rooms) features air conditioning, mini-bars, a swimming pool, putting greens, water activities on the beach/island lagoons.

Contact your travel agent or SRS Hotels, 40 East 49th St., New York 10017. Telephone toll-free (800) 223-5652.

Reader Catalogues

A couple of book catalogues are available for travelers. One is offered by Book Passage of Corte Madera. Details on new books, old favorites. This company stocks more than 10,000 guides, maps, books. Language tapes also available. A Book Passage employee says: “Our staff is composed of inveterate travelers with a desire to help callers with their travel reading needs.” Free gift wraps. Gift certificates available for purchases of $10 and up. Mail orders taken daily till 10 p.m.

Call toll-free (800) 321-9785 or write to Book Passage, 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera, Calif. 94925. Ask for its free catalogue.

Another catalogue: This one published by the Literate Traveler, 8306 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 591, Beverly Hills 90211. Sells for $1. Guides on history, archeology, art, architecture, hotels/restaurants, etc.

Paris on a Shoestring

Jet Vacations, in cooperation with Air France, is planning a one-week (November) trip to Paris for $999. The package includes round-trip air (LAX-Paris), airport transfers, six nights at the Concorde Lafayette Hotel, a cocktail party and a cruise on the River Seine. Particularly appealing to women (makeup demonstrations, fashion shows). Travelers are also given a Metro pass, a shopper’s guide and a book of coupons with discounts for museums, restaurants, stores.

Contact your travel agent, Air France or Jet Vacations toll-free (800) 538-0999.

Castle Hotels

Germany is campaigning for castle visitors. Not just during the day but as overnight guests. A series of tours featuring castle-to-castle trips is being scheduled by the German Castle Hotel Assn. Prices from about $375 per person (four nights) to about $600 for eight nights. Rates include accommodations, meals, wine tastings and a road map pinpointing the castles. Ask about the “Westphalian Moated Castles Tour,” “On the Fairytale Road” and “Old Houses--Young Wine.”

Contact the German National Tourist Office, 444 S. Flower St., Suite 2230, Los Angeles 90071, or call (213) 688-7332.

Other details from the German Hotel Assn. (GAST Im Schloss), P.O. Box 40, 3526 Trendelburg 1, Federal Republic of Germany.

Ireland on $50 a Day

You can still do Ireland for about $50 a day. Includes accommodations, breakfast, a car (unlimited mileage), service charges, taxes, a guidebook/road atlas, maps, cassette tape, a coupon discount booklet. Accommodations are pre-booked for the first night. Features farmhouses/inns. For a supplementary charge, hotels also are available. (Travelers flying round trip with Aer Lingus get a $50 discount on the land cost.)

See your travel agent or contact CIE Tours toll-free (800) 331-3824 (California) or (800) 423-8866 (outside California).

San Francisco Hotel

The first-class Bedford Hotel (three blocks off Union Square) is offering a special rate of $50 on Sundays (single or double). This is $39 off the regular price. Rooms equipped with bar/refrigerators, color TV, VCRs. Some accommodations offer bay/city views. Complimentary wine served evenings in the lobby. Limousine service is provided to the Financial District on weekday mornings.

Hotel Bedford, 761 Post St. Call toll-free (800) 652-1889 (California) or (800) 227-5642 (outside California).

Reader Recommendations

France--Greg Cotton, Duarte: “An exquisite restaurant on the outskirts of Le Quesnox on the road to Valenciennes. Moderate price range of $12-$18 U.S. for a complete dinner. Not only was the food and ambiance a delight, but the family hostess was very friendly and warm. The town of Le Quesnox is a marvel to behold, with 15th-Century fortifications, moats and cobblestone roads. The surrounding countryside offers ideal camping facilities with a beautiful lake. This is in northern France. The restaurant: Le Relais de l’Escale, 155 Route de Valenciennes, 59530 Le Quesnox.”

France--David Epstein, Irvine: Enjoyed Chez Franckie, 95 Rue La Bourgade, Haute de Cagnes. “Fewer than a dozen tables, and guests are made to feel very welcome by the owner.”

Ireland--Ralph Pierre, LaVerne: “Greatest B&B; in the world is Hawthorne Farm. Only about $18 per person. Near Kenmare, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry. On a fishing stream. Food is great. Write to Kitty Dineen, Hawthorne Farm, Kilgarvan, County Kerry. Kitty is a delight, as is her little granddaughter, Sheila. This B&B; is the greatest.”

England--Mrs. George Middleton, Carpinteria: Enjoyed The Elizabethan Restaurant, 18 Jenery St., Winchester. “Has enormous character, dates from the 16th Century. Food is delicious, prices reasonable, the maitre d’ is gracious and friendly.”

England--Donald Miller, Long Beach: “A wonderful bed and breakfast guest house, The Shamrock, 11 Wearbay Road, East Cliff, Folkestone, Kent. Ask for a room overlooking the ocean. What a lovely view. Rates are a very reasonable, about $41 U.S. double and about $20 U.S. single. A great rest stop for the traveler.”

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.