If New England is on your travel...

If New England is on your travel agenda, write for a copy of the New England USA Official Travel Guide. This is a 56-page magazine. Facts on Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont. Lists dozens of inns, motels, hotels, restaurants with addresses and telephone numbers. Other sections deal with tours, public transportation, rental cars, climate, airlines. The guide tells how to obtain free road maps, calendars of events, and names, addresses of public information offices for each state. Focuses on major destinations--Boston, Newport, Cape Cod, the White Mountains of New Hampshire, the Green Mountains of Vermont, Montpelier, Woodstock, the Berkshires, Martha’s Vineyard, Nantucket, Bar Harbor, Mystic Seaport.

Free copies from New England USA, 76 Summer St., Boston, Mass. 02110. Call toll-free (800) 847-4863.

Eurail Prices

With the decline in the U.S. dollar value, Europe’s Eurail Pass prices will be increased in ’89. Here’s the rundown:

--15 days, $320.

--21 days, $398.

--1 month, $498.

--2 months, $698.

Good for use in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Italy, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, West Germany, Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Switzerland and Hungary.

For the Eurail Saverpass (two or more persons traveling together off-season or three or more April 1 to Sept. 30), you’ll pay $230 for 15 days. Other savings on Eurail Youthpasses.

For more information, write to Eurail Pass, Box 325, Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870-03255.

Winter at Bass Lake

Here’s one for bargain hunters: Pines Resorts at Bass Lake (14 miles from the south entrance to Yosemite) is featuring a winter package through March 31 that includes lodging for two for two nights, two dinners and a welcome gift for $110 (midweek) or $150 (weekend). For the holidays, the resort is scheduling a Christmas celebration (six-course meal, caroling, accommodations for two for one night) for $190. Limited to 25 couples per night (Dec. 15 or Dec. 22). Chalets with fireplaces, TV, kitchens, lofts, bedrooms with queen-size beds, patios. Shops/restaurants close by at The Pines Village.

Write to The Pines Resorts, P.O. Box 329, Bass Lake, Calif. 93604, or call toll-free (800) 643-2277. Outside California dial (209) 642-3121.

House Parties

You’re right, it’s a mite early to start talking about Christmas. But reservations during the holidays often are hard to come by. So if you’re considering a different kind of Christmas this year, here is a thought. At Home Country Holidays is offering celebrations at nine homes in Britain. Each will provide its own merriment. Two to four nights, starting Christmas Eve. All but one accepts children. Here are the destinations: Kingham House in Oxfordshire, Balsham Place near Kingsbridge, Lower House Farm in West Sussex, Fitz Manor at Shropshire, Ellingham Hall near Bungay in Suffolk, The Old Rectory at Gloucestershire, Cotescue Park in North Yorkshire, The Drum (a mansion rising on 400 acres) at Edinburgh and Crapstone House in Devon at the edge of Dartmoor. Log fires, mistletoe, holly, Christmas trees, gifts, plum puddings, mulled wine and more.

At Home Country Holidays, P.O. Box 936, Alamo, Calif. 94507. Telephone (415) 935-7065.

Free Hawaii

A tour operator in San Jose is booking free rooms in Hawaii. Here’s how it works: Every third night is on the house at Aston Shores on the Big Island, De Nani Kai on Molokai. Other properties on Kauai, Oahu, the Big Island provide fourth, fifth, seventh nights free. Dozens of upscale condominiums and hotels (including the Kona Hilton on the Big Island, the Kauai Beachboy and several Sheratons). Westin and Stouffer are in the giveaway game along with Hotel Hana Maui and Kona Village on the Big Island.

Contact Classic Hawaii, 65 W. Santa Clara, San Jose 95113, or call toll-free (800) 221-3949.

Bargain Hawaii

If you’re traveling to Hawaii on a budget, ring up Travel Impressions: toll-free (800) 367-2341. Here’s what you get for $269: round-trip air (Continental Airlines), transfers from the airport, hotel for two nights, a lei greeting, continental breakfast. Offer is good through Dec. 15. Departures Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays. In addition, Travel Impressions is preparing a Christmas package ($799) that includes round-trip air, hotel for nine nights. Offer is good Dec. 23 to Jan. 1.

Paris

A pocket-size guide to Paris is being distributed free by the French Government Tourist Office. The title: “Paris--The Insider’s Good Value Guide.” Lists more than 100 moderately priced hotels, 230 reasonable restaurants, wine bars and tearooms. Contains shopping tips (department stores, museum gift shops, antique dealers). Another section is devoted to discount centers catering to Parisians themselves. You can obtain names and phone numbers of more than a dozen hotel reservation services. Tourist offices are listed along with details on fashion shows, entertainment, the Metro, museums.

Free copies from the French Government Tourist Office, 9454 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 303, Beverly Hills 90212. Call (213) 271-6665.

Reader Recommendations

California--Aileen Williamson, Yorba Linda: A new inn, Cambria Landing, 6530 Moonstone Beach Drive, Cambria, Calif. 93428. Rates: $70/$120. “All rooms with partial ocean view. Nicely decorated with king or two queens, gas fireplaces.”

California--Sara Binder, West Hollywood: Enjoyed Circle Bar B Guest Ranch, 1800 Rufugio Canyon Road, Goleta 93117. “Run by a very congenial family. Rates start at $128.”

Wisconsin--Albert J. Sparo: “During a recent visit to the Milwaukee/Chicago area I found the ideal spot for our headquarters between the two cities and nearby Lake Geneva. Library square B&B;, 6003 7th Ave., Kenosha, Wis. 53140. Rates: $35/$55.”

Hawaii--Steve Tusler, Pasadena: “On Kauai try the Koloa Broiler. Cook your own meals over a big grill with sides of salad, rice, condiments. Hamburgers, fish, chicken, steak, shish kebabs. Specials at prices from $6 to $9.”

West Germany--Lorraine Hundermark and Betty Hunter, Long Beach: “If you’re a romanticist, by all means stay overnight at Hotel Keutman, 5401 St. Goar Am Rhine, St. Goar. Rates from $17 to $20. From your balcony you can watch ships navigating this most treacherous spot on the Rhine. A fantastic view.”

France--Paula C. Matos, Orange: “Rented an apartment in Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Riviera. Probably the best vacation my husband and I have ever taken. Our delightful apartment had living room, complete kitchen, bedroom and bath. Balcony overlooking the sea. All this for an effective rate of less than $48 per day. Rented through Christian Lucas (who has other rentals all over the South of France), 1007 Elk Grove Ave., No. 2, Venice, Calif. 90291.”

Wales--Linda Jones, Sepulveda: “A lovely 18th-Century B&B;, Brookfield, Monmouth Road, Abergavenny, Wales NP7 5HH, Great Britain. Rates: $20 U.S. per person, including superb breakfast.”

England--Belle and Joe Lorand, Van Nuys: Recommend The Shallows, Woodgason Lane, Hayling Island, Hampshire, England. “Lovely wooded area, charming, accommodating hosts. Paid 8.50 with full English breakfast.”

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.