A Canadian businessman is attempting to solve...

A Canadian businessman is attempting to solve the thorny problem of “concealed costs in the car rental game.” Frank Wells provides a “no hidden surprises” alternative. Customers prepay for car/camper rentals with prices determined in advance. Says Wells: “Check-in clerks are paid a commission to sell extras.” As a result, Americans traveling abroad tell of paying up to double the advertised rate for cars/motor homes. Wells’ company, Wheels International Rent-A-Car, guarantees prices in advance. Reservation centers in Vancouver, Toronto, Paris, London, Sydney (Australia), Auckland (New Zealand).

Contact Wheels International Rent-A-Car, 1682 West 7th Ave., Suite 308, Vancouver, B.C. V6J 4S6, Canada. Telephone toll-free (800) 663-8888.

Molokai

This note from Jim Tyner of Camarillo: “Our vacation home on the island of Molokai is available for rental. Provides a perfect setting from which to enjoy the unhurried pace of Molokai.” Tyner calls his home Kalua Hale. Doors open onto a lanai with a solar-heated spa. Extras include a TV, VCR, stereo. A fully equipped kitchen (microwave oven, dishwasher). A washer/dryer. Two suites with king-size beds, a full bath. Kalua Hale sleeps up to six persons. About five minutes from Maunaloa on the West End of Molokai, a 20-minute drive from the village of Kaunakakai.

Says Tyner: “No Maui or Waikiki crowds here.”

Rates: $150 a night, $795 a week. A four-night minimum. For reservations: Kalua Hale, 480 Mobil Ave., Suite 18, Camarillo, Calif. 93010. Telephone (805) 484-1024.

Wilderness Trips

Although raft operators are suffering from shrunken rivers due to the Sierra drought, it hasn’t affected the Snake River in Hell’s Canyon or the Salmon “River of No Return.” Martin Litton is running his dories down the wilderness rivers of Idaho and Oregon. Both the Snake and the Salmon are “flowing strongly,” Litton reports. Trips continue through this month and September. Because of news of the drought, both rivers are less crowded this year. Litton uses dories rather than rafts. Says they ride high in the water. Groups visit old gold-mine sites; fly-cast in creeks; soak in a hot spring and photograph elk, big horn sheep, eagles.

Martin Litton, Great River Journeys, P.O. Box 7538, Menlo Park, Calif. 94026. Telephone (415) 854-6616.

Love Boat Dropout

John Strange, a Britisher who spent 11 years as a steward aboard the Pacific Princess (the “Love Boat”), put ashore awhile back to open a guest house in Summertown near Oxford, England. The Old World dining room features a huge breakfast. Good beds, large guest rooms. Adds Strange: “I run it myself and give full help to my guests.” Tells them where to sightsee, shop, dine (seven restaurants nearby). He’ll direct you to his favorite pubs. Strange’s B&B; is open year-round. Transportation is no problem (a bus stops just outside the door).

John Strange, Adams Guesthouse, 302 Banbury Road, Oxford OX2 7ED, England.

Giveaway

A directory containing maps, hundreds of details on destinations and tour companies, plus several thousand points of interest is available from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Advice on packing, restaurants, etc. This is a 144-page publication titled “Calling on North America.” Complimentary copies available by telephoning toll-free (800) 527-9131. In a year when millions of Americans will be vacationing in the U.S.A., this is a handy guide for advice, ideas. Fits snugly in the glove compartment.

Budget Trail

California hostels are featured in a new brochure produced by American Youth Hostels. Titled “Experience California Youth Hostels.” Names 26 destinations in the Golden State. Redwood National Park, Point Reyes National Seashore, Lake Tahoe, Big Bear, Disneyland, the Mendocino wine country, San Francisco, San Diego, etc. A couple of hostels occupy lighthouses. “The best of California at a price you can afford.” Rates from $5 a night. Vacationers bed down at hostels on the Eel River, at Boonville, in the foothills of the Sierra, San Clemente and other choice spots. The hostels are open to all ages.

Free copies of the brochure from AYH, 335 West 7th St., San Pedro 90731, or call (213) 831-8846.

Disabled

Whole Access (an organization devoted to the disabled) has put together a guide that deals with national parks. Full-color photos, charts, maps. Pinpoints support services within a 100-mile radius of each park. This is the culmination of a five-year planning/research project. Takes in 37 major national parks. Copies available at Waldenbooks. They’re costly--$89.95, with a discounted edition for $72.45, plus $5 for postage.

For a free color brochure, contact Northern Cartographic, Department AA, P.O. Box 133, Burlington, Vt. 05402.

New Orleans

R. F. of Simi Valley asks for the name of a reasonable inn in New Orleans. Try the Park View Guesthouse. This is outside the French Quarter “on the quiet side of New Orleans.” The Park View (circa 1884) is operated by Zafer Zaitoon, from Lebanon. Rates the last time we checked were $40/$65 a night. A beauty of a building where students stop to sketch regularly. Features stained glass, chandeliers, carved mantelpieces. Dozens of old books for guests occupying the 25 rooms. Each room is individually decorated. Some with private baths, balconies. Audubon Park just next door.

Park View Guesthouse, 7004 Saint Charles St., New Orleans, La. 70118. Telephone (504) 861-7564.

Reader Recommendations

Pennsylvania--Mrs. A. J. Brayarly, Redondo Beach: Enjoyed the Doubleday Inn B&B;, 104 Doubleday Ave., Gettysburg Battlefield, Pa. 17325. Rates: $65/$90.

Mexico--John C. Habecker, Cucamonga: “In Guadalajara I recommend guides Raul and Ernesto Flores Carrillo. Their address is Teresa de Mier 1481, Col El Mirador, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.”

England--Mrs. Karen Halbe, Temple City: Enjoyed Robin and Freda Mellanbys’ B&B--Colebrick;, 21 Crossgate, Durham City DHI 4PS. “Beautiful, peaceful. Medieval Durham is in northeast England. A double costs 30 per night with a full English breakfast.”

England--Giovanni Di Ponzio, Agoura Hills: “I’ve been to London more than 100 times. Happy to say that Roberto’s Pizzeria Arno Italian restaurant is the very best! Address: 256 Archway Road, Highgate, London N6.”

England--Bernice Biekofsky, Sierra Madre: “If I were to design the ideal B&B; I couldn’t surpass The Old Rectory, Church Street, Willersey, Near Broadway, Worcestershire. Rates from 49. On a quiet street with its own duck pond. An old country house beautifully updated.”

Ireland--Kay and Ed Bukowski, Los Angeles: Recommend Priory Lodge, Blackrock, Dublin. Restored home in parklike setting, large rooms, excellent full breakfast included in rates of 30 double, 35 to 60 for suites. Also the Old Dublin restaurant, 90/91 Francis St., Dublin, specializes in Russian and Scandinavian cuisine.

New Zealand--Fred and Ilse Kornfeld, Los Angeles: “Great B&B; in Russell, Bay of Islands, the oldest European settlement in New Zealand. Terrific breakfast on the terrace overlooking the bay. $66 New Zealand double. Write to Kay Bosanquet, P.O. Box 23, Russell, New Zealand.”