One of the bargains of the fall...

One of the bargains of the fall season is on the books at Hawaii’s Kauai Hilton on Hanamaula Beach. In celebration of the Hawaii International Film Festival (sponsored by the University of Hawaii’s East-West Center) rates will be reduced by $10 nightly, Dec. 3-11. With prices starting at $80, your last night will be free.

Rates include complimentary admission to the film showings (entries from around the world) plus seminars conducted by the movie colony. A mayor’s reception is in the works. Guests will rub elbows with directors, producers, actors. Toshio Mifune, who starred in the TV miniseries “Shogun,” is the festival’s honorary chairman. (For $25 extra, guests can attend the awards banquet.)

Contact the Kauai Hilton, 4331 Kauai Beach Drive, Lihue, Hawaii 96766. Telephone (808) 245-1955.

Meanwhile, Maui’s Stouffer Wailea Beach Resort will feature a “White Chocolate Bust” Sept. 30-Oct. 3 (seminars, complimentary cookbooks, recipes, tastings, white chocolate garnishes, a white chocolate brunch). Janice Wald Henderson, West Coast editor of Chocolatier, will stir up a storm. (The Stouffer is a seven-time hotel winner of AAA’s Diamond Award.)

Caribbean Wedding Bells

L. D. of Tustin is planning a wedding in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Wants the name of a resort that features marriage packages. Gallows Point on St. John does weddings overlooking Cruz Bay. Sixty villas with kitchens, living rooms, bedrooms, terraces. The hotel provides a multidenominational minister. Twilight ceremonies, sunrise weddings. Your choice. The package includes a complimentary bottle of champagne and a wedding cake. Marriage licenses cost $25 (be sure to take proof of citizenship). Rates for the wedding/honeymoon packages start at $125 through Dec. 18. Prices are based on a six-night minimum. Your travel agent has details.

Freighter Tidbits

Several Sundays ago we mentioned Lee Pledger and his Freighter Travel Club of America, based in Salem, Ore. Now Pledger tells us he has a local representative who can fill you in on the club, its newsletter, notes on sailings, etc. Write to Tom McInerney, 2424 Gaffey St., No. 314, San Pedro 90731. Telephone (213) 831-9367. Says Pledger: “If your readers have any specific questions that need local attention, McInerney would love to hear from them.”

Paris Bargain

With the dollar remaining weak overseas, it’s difficult to find the bargains offered a few years ago. In Paris, though, Globus-Gateway has a rare one-week package that starts at only $380. Sightseeing (the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, the Madeleine and other landmarks) plus six nights at the Novotel-Les Halles next door to the Pompidou Center. Air-conditioned rooms, color TVs, minibars, private baths, a continental breakfast. Included in the package are discounts at Galeries Lafayette and other department stores. A second package featured by Globus-Gateway (14 days) is priced at $828 and takes in London as well as Paris. In London guests receive discount vouchers, sightseeing tours and a theater ticket along with a pass for bus/underground transporation. Year-round departures.

For a copy of the brochure, write to Globus-Gateway, 150 S. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena 91101, or call toll-free (800) 556-5454.

Youth Beat/Summer ’89

Here’s a bargain for young people (ages 13-26) for summer ’89. International Friendship Service is preparing a series of three-week home stays with French families for $699. Includes round-trip air from LAX, accommodations, meals. Students will be matched with families with a son or daughter of similar age/interests. These host families are scattered across France (Paris and Brittany to the French Riviera and Corsica). Available dates are June 17 to July 9 and July 9-30. Applications for next summer must be received by Oct. 25 (this year).

Contact International Friendship Service, 22994 El Toro Road, El Toro, Calif. 92630. Telephone (714) 458-8868.

Car Buffs

Car buffs are being rounded up by Trasco Limousine Hire of London for tours to factories/showrooms in Britain. “Designed to appeal to the auto fanatic,” says Trasco’s Roland Dane. A choice of three tours. One takes in the factories of Rolls-Royce and Crewe, Aston Martin in Newport Pagnell and Jaguar in Coventry. Another does a visit to factories turning out the Hooper, the Mulliner-Park Ward, TVR, Panther and the Bristol. Collector car showrooms are included in the itinerary. Hotel/restaurant reservations are handled by Trasco.

Trasco Limousine Hire, 66 Park Lane, Mayfair, London W1.

Britain

The British Tourist Authority has a stack of brochures ready for mailing. Descriptions of cities, rural villages, seaside resorts. The staff at the BTA will assist in planning your itinerary. They’ll answer your questions, tell you about little-known hotels/restaurants. Tim Lovell is the manager. Staff member Jean Taylor has the answers to practically any question you can put to her. A remarkable lady.

British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071. Telephone (213) 628-3525.

Discount Travel

Discount travel clubs will do a whopping $1.5 billion in business this year. Some provide a first-rate job, others should be avoided. It’s important not to give your credit card number over the telephone. And don’t do business by mail unless you’re certain you’re dealing with a legitimate operator. Ask what the price covers and if there are extra charges. Request the names of hotels, airlines, cruise companies. It’s a good idea also to check on cancellation policies/refunds. Travel clubs sell leftover space on airlines, cruise ships, tours. You save from about 15% to 50%. (This is space that otherwise would go empty.) It’s all spelled out in a brochure titled “The Inside Story on Discount Travel.”

Free copies from Worldwide Discount Travel Club, 1674 Meridian Ave., Miami Beach, Fla. 33139.

Northern California

Fall is a magic time to visit California’s redwood country. Begins at Muir Woods across the Golden Gate, continues to the Oregon border. En route motorists take in the fall grape harvest in Napa/Sonoma and other wine-producing regions. Dozens of attractions and country inns, including a favorite of mine (Heritage House at Mendocino). An updated visitor guide is ready for mailing. Details on accommodations, sightseeing.

For a copy, mail $1 to the Redwood Empire Assn., 1 Market Plaza, Spear Street Tower, San Francisco 94105.

Reader Recommendations

Alaska--Sally and Jon Pelmear, Mission Viejo: “After a lot of soft beds and high prices we found this beautiful B&B; just south of Anchorage. The Austrian family that runs it truly makes you feel at home. We chatted for hours. Wonderful view of Mt. Alyeska. Rates $55 double, $40 single. Write: Heinrich and Emmy Gruber, P.O. Box 234, Girdwood, Alaska 99587.”

Virginia--Dr. and Mrs. Robert Frost, Grand Terrace, Calif.: “A 15-minute subway ride from Washington, the Crystal B&B;, 2620 Fern St. S., Crystal City, Arlington, Va. 22202. Rooms with antiques, handmade quilts, gourmet homemade muffins. Hostess Susan Allen has only three guest rooms. $50 a day per couple.”

England--Kent and Pat Powell, Santa Ana: Recommend Fayrouz restaurant, 33 N. Audley St., Mayfair, London W1. “Beautifully decorated, near American Embassy. We were unfamiliar with Lebanese cuisine, so owner personally took charge. A memorable feast. Entrees from 5 to 9.”

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.