You can enjoy the taste of France...

You can enjoy the taste of France inexpensively with “Cheap Eats” by Sandra A. Gustafon. Thirty-seven restaurants have been added to the 67 former entries. To help you fit in with the locals, the book offers French dining and food terms. It’s $6.95 at selected bookstores. To order by mail, write to Cobble and Mickle, P.O. Box 3521, San Diego 92103-0160 (California residents add 45 cents for tax).

-- -- --

For the real inside story on the Big Apple, “The Carefree Getaway Guide for New Yorkers” by Theodore Scull describes 30 day and weekend trips. Whether by bus, train or ferry (and not by car), the book recommends which seats offer the best views and how to avoid the sun’s glare. The maps are sufficient, the text a bit much, but overall the guide provides most everything visitors should know (Harvard Common Press: $9.95).

-- -- --

“The Korea 1988 Guidebook” by Kyong Cho Chung, Phyllis Hafner and Frederic Kaplan is a potpourri of above-average information on eating, getting around and lodgings, plus some do’s and don’ts. A Summer Olympics guide is included (Houghton Mifflin: $16.95).

-- -- --

“Hidden Los Angeles and Southern California” covers an area about 400 miles by 200 miles. Despite its hugeness, author Ray Riegert has chosen an excellent cross section of where to stay and what to see and do. The guide also includes vignettes about historic sites, ghost towns and country roads. (Ulysses: $12.95).

-- -- --

Visitors or business travelers should find “Tokyo--A Bilingual Atlas,” edited by Umeda Atsushi, among the best of its kind for the easy-to-read text and four-color sectionalized maps. The book includes 19 thematic maps highlighting major points of interest, plus hotels and medical facilities, to get you where you want to go (Kodansha: $14.95).

-- -- --

Insider’s Guides has added “California” by Jane E. Laskey and David Reed, and “New York” by Patricia and Lester Brooks, to its series. “They cover a lot of bases and are presented in a handy-to-take-along size,” the company says. The guides offer suggestions on what to see and do and where to stay and eat. The insider’s tips are worthwhile, and include both perils and pitfalls. The guides are excellent for the visitor or native (Crown: $10.95 each).

-- -- --

“The Adventure Guide to the Pacific Northwest” by Thomas A. Arnold encompasses Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Northern California. Whether biking, hiking or driving, almost everyone will find a plethora of adventures described, including cave exploring, cross-country skiing, backpacking and white-water rafting. The suggested outings include what’s needed for a do-it-yourself trip, plus tips for those who prefer guided excursions, whether for a few hours, a day or a week. The pictures and maps are nicely done (Hunter: $7.95).

-- -- --

The computer readout text in “Railways Revisited” by Bernard C. Winn is not inspiring but the content will be appreciated by those who enjoy riding the rails. It describes little-known railways of Austria and Germany that are used primarily by residents. The trains represent myriad designs and locomotion necessary to face the sometimes-challenging terrain. The equipment, scenery, photos and maps are enlightening. It’s a first edition and may not be available in bookstores for a while, but for $8.95 you can obtain a copy by writing to Incline Press, 456 Columbia Ave., Merced, Calif. 95340. Railroad buffs won’t be disappointed.

-- -- --

“London Man” and “London Woman” by Francis Chichester Ltd. are palm-size guidebooks full of important information for travelers. Each guide is tailored to individual needs, i.e., where to find hairdressers or barbers, tailors or dress boutiques. The 60 pages of maps are well detailed and cross-referenced to the text. For $8.95 each, you can go forward like a native (Warner Books).