Travelers flying with Air New Zealand can...

Travelers flying with Air New Zealand can take advantage of one of the season’s better buys. Hotels throughout New Zealand, Australia and Fiji are providing accommodations for $5 a night under a package plan involving the airline. This is the rate per person based on double occupancy. The hotels are the Gazebo Ramada in Sydney, the St. Kilda Road Travelodge in Melbourne, the Hilton International in Cairns, Auckland’s Quality Inn and the Vacation Inn in Christchurch. In Fiji, choices include the Fijian Hotel, the Sheraton and the Fiji Hyatt. A number of other hotels also on the $5 list. What with summer in full bloom Down Under, it’s the perfect time to escape our winter. The offer is good through March 31.

Call Air New Zealand toll-free at (800) 262-1234 (continental United States) or (800) 521-4059 (Alaska/Hawaii).

New Mexico

A note from Michael Pitel of Santa Fe, N.M., tells about a recently restored hotel in Gallup that was a hideaway for celebrities between the ‘30s and ‘60s (John Wayne, Humphrey Bogart, Alan Ladd, Jane Wyman, Errol Flynn, Spencer Tracy, plus dozens of others). This was the era when Hollywood was heavy into Westerns. The hotel is the El Rancho. Built by the brother of movie magnate D. W. Griffith. Photographs of film stars are displayed in the lobby with its circular stairway, Navajo rugs, rustic beams. Rates: $28/$58 a night. For a brochure, write to the Gallup Convention & Visitors Bureau, P.O. Drawer Q, Gallup, N.M. 87301, or call toll-free (800) 242-4282. Note: Travelers intending to book accommodations for next summer’s Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial (Aug. 9-13) are advised to make reservations now by calling toll-free (800) 233-4528.

Hotel Bargains/San Francisco

You’ll pay $79 a night at the following hotels in San Francisco:

Villa Florence, 25 Powell St., San Francisco 94102. Telephone toll-free (800) 243-5700.

The Juliana, 590 Bush St., San Francisco 94108. Toll-free (800) 372-8800.

Hotel Vintage Court, 650 Bush St., San Francisco 94108. Toll-free (800) 654-7266.

Galeria Park Hotel, 191 Sutter St., San Francisco 94104. Toll-free (800) 792-9855.

Other cheaper accommodations: the Monticello Inn ($75), 80 Cyril Magnin, San Francisco 94102, toll-free (800) 669-7777, and the slick little Hotel Bedford ($69), 761 Post St., San Francisco 94109. Call (800) 652-1889. Note: These toll-free numbers may be used only in California.

More on San Francisco: Victoria Stein will put you up in a home, condo or apartment in San Francisco as an alternative to a hotel. Stein says these are “luxury furnished” accommodations. Contact Stein c/o American Property Exchange, 170 Page St., San Francisco 94102. Telephone (415) 863-8484.

Colorado Ski Bargain

Skiers will be hard pressed to find a better deal than the one offered at SilverCreek Ski Resort in Colorado, where a family of four (two adults, two children under 13) can ski the entire day for $44. The people at SilverCreek guarantee this to be the lowest-priced ski package in the state. Till Dec. 15 accommodations at the Inn at SilverCreek figure out to $73 a day for a family of four, $93 during the holiday season. Rates drop back to $73 on Jan. 6.

Call toll-free (800) 526-0590, or write for a brochure to the Inn at SilverCreek, Box 4222, SilverCreek, Colo. 80442. Other details from the SilverCreek Ski Area, Box 1110, Granby, Colo. 80446. Note: SilverCreek is 15 miles north of Winter Park.

Ski Utah

Another offer for skiers: At Robert Redford’s 4,000-acre spread at the foot of Mt. Timpanogos, a family of four can ski the entire day with a personal, certified instructor for $125. The same instructor will accompany them to Alta, Snowbird, Park City or Deer Valley. Accommodations at Redford’s Sundance Resort include 34 cottages (rustic furnishings, down comforters, fireplaces, kitchens, private decks). A general store sells baked goods, sundries, local crafts. Sundance also operates two restaurants.

Both downhill and cross-country skiing are available at Redford’s resort. Winter rates start at $90 a night through Dec. 21. (Higher prices during the holiday season). Package deals also offered (accommodations, ski passes). Note: Children under 12 share rooms free with parents. A six-night “Learn to Ski Week” package ($495) includes accommodations, lessons, lift tickets.

Call your travel agent or contact Sundance, RR 3, Box A-1, Sundance, Utah 84604.

Freighters

This note from Mary LeBlanc of Freighter World Cruises: “Travelers can now go around the world by freighters departing Long Beach and returning to Long Beach. The service begins in December and will continue with departures about every three months.” Trips involve about 84 days. The freighters carry up to six passengers. No doctor on board, so the age limit is set at 79. Rates figure out to about $90 a day.

Contact Freighter World Cruises, 180 S. Lake Ave., Suite 335, Pasadena 91101, or call (818) 449-3106.

Tailored Itineraries

After spending 14 years in “corporate America,” Angie Brenner decided that what the busy traveler needs is help with personalized itineraries. As a result she quit her job and hung out her shingle: “Journeys by Angie.” What Brenner provides is “painstaking research which travelers so often haven’t time for.” Recently she arranged a trip for a client by horse through Germany’s Black Forest. Sent another off on a journey to Nepal.

Brenner doesn’t claim to be a travel agent, only a consultant. Says she: “Have you spent valuable vacation time and dollars only to find much of where you ate and slept and what you saw was disappointing?” While travel agents are skilled at obtaining bargain fares, etc., Brenner “provides valuable details that enhance your travel experience,” working out of Word Journeys Bookstore, Lomas Santa Fe Plaza, 971-C Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solano Beach, Calif. 92075. Call (619) 792-6535.

Home Stay Language Studies

One call will set in motion plans for language studies in Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Brazil, Portugal, Italy, West Germany, Japan, Canada, France. These study programs are tied in with home-stays with families. A four-week program starts at $500. Air fare is extra. For a detailed brochure, contact Language Studies Enrollment Center, P.O. Box 5095, Anaheim 92814. Telephone (714) 527-2918. (Be sure to specify the country you wish to visit.)

For the Record

Singles Tours International (mentioned in Travel Tips Nov. 20) has suspended operation. This was the tour group (based in Salinas, Calif.) that offered a 50/50 mix of men and women on trips to Maui, Puerto Vallarta, Rio and Switzerland. The idea was to get vacationers with similar interests together. According to a spokesperson, the idea fizzled.

Reader Recommendations

Spain--Mr. and Mrs. Y. Clifford Tanaka, South Pasadena: “We highly recommend Parador Nacional de Nerja, about 32 miles north of the Malaga airport. This beautiful site known as the Balcon de Europa was chosen by Alfonso XII and sits 60 meters above sandy beaches on a steep cliff with a spectacular view of the coast and countryside. Dining is super, with an Andalusian cuisine and Malaga dishes.” Rates: 9,500 pesetas double. Reservations advised. Address: Apartado 123, Nerja b (Malaga), Spain.

California--Mr. and Mrs. Arthur C. Dirlam, Escondido: “We found a lovely B&B; at Walnut Creek with pool, Jacuzzi and a gracious hostess who speaks four languages--English, German, Spanish and Italian, and prepares a super breakfast.” Cost is $50 for a double. The Gasthaus zum Baren, 2113 Blackstone Drive, Walnut Creek 94598, phone (415) 934-8119.

California--Joyce Tucker, Anaheim: “Delightful B&B;, the Garbo Inn, 287 W. Racquet Club Road, Palm Springs, Calif. Built in the 1930s by MGM for John Gilbert and Greta Garbo. Beautiful place, delicious breakfast, friendly atmosphere. Rates: $75 to $85 for two.”

California--James Allen, Bellflower: “Found a perfect place to stay in San Francisco, the Grove Inn, 890 Grove St., San Francisco 94117. This above-average hotel/B&B; is only eight blocks from the Civic Center and the Opera House. Second-floor rooms are neatly furnished with color TV, clock radio. Continental breakfast included in rates of $33 (shared bath) to $55 (private bath).

Alabama--Sandi and John Fay, Valdosta, Ga.: “Stayed at a lovely B&B; run by Anne and Mark Waldo in Montgomery, just minutes from the State Capitol, Gen. Richard Montgomery Riverboat and other historic sites. At 551 Clay St., P.O. Box 886, Millbrook, Ala. 36054. Hosts, the Waldos, are very friendly. Rates: $48 a night double, including full breakfast.”

Kansas--Margaret Eichman, Redlands: “Found a warm welcome at the Pomeroy Inn, 224 W. Main, Hill City, Kan. 67642. Don and Mary Worcester are refurbishing the old square stone hotel. Very clean, good beds, homemade cinnamon rolls and coffee. Rate: $26 for two, breakfast included.”

New Hampshire--Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Andersen, Cerritos: “Mulburn Inn, Main Street, Bethlehem, N.H. In the White Mountain area. Large rooms with private bath, $25 per person double including breakfast.”

New York--Roy Kunkle, Corona Del Mar: Recommends dinner at Chin Chin, 216 East 49th St., New York City. “Best Oriental food I’ve ever had, also an excellent atmosphere. Reasonable prices from $7 to $15.”

Pennsylvania--Virginia and David Anders, Marina Del Rey: Recommend the Iron Horse Inn, 135 Main St., Strasburg, Pa. 17579. Elegant food using local Amish produce. Young French-trained chef. Wonderful cream of pumpkin soup. $15 per person.

Vermont--Stephen H. Suffin, Los Angeles: “Cavendish Inn, a B&B; on Route 131 near Ludlow and Proctorsville. Accommodations in wonderfully maintained 19th-Century residence. Hosts Ellie and Bill Brenner are delightful. Breakfasts are more than any normal person can handle. Rates: $75 double. Write to P.O. Box 82, Cavendish, Vt. 05142.

Washington--Joy Nuell, West Hollywood: Enjoyed Otter Point, P.O. Box 938, Eastsound, Wash. 98245. “Two guest rooms just minutes from Eastsound. Breakfast fixings are provided in the rooms. Rates: $55.” (This is in the San Juan Islands.)

Canada--Kathy Anderson, Costa Mesa: “There is a network of farms throughout Canada that take in tourists. I stayed with Stephanie and Bob Harvey in Alexander, Man. They picked me up and dropped me off at the train station. Stephanie took me horseback riding, gave me a grand tour of the farm, fed me three fabulous meals a day. All for only $30 Canadian a day. Contact R. A. Harvey, Willeta Farm, R.R. 1, Alexander, MB Canada R0K 0A0.”

Canada--J. and G. Cunningham, Torrance: Recommend Pension Tannenhof, 121 Cave Ave., Box 1914, Banff, Alta., Canada. Accommodations from $55 to $85 Canadian, including kitchenette, fireplace and full breakfast.

Mexico--International Spanish Institute of Ensenada. Immersion-style instruction six hours a day. Excellent Mexican teachers. Maximum class size is five. Field trips to wineries, beaches, super mercados. Students are encouraged to live with Mexican families (room and board is $15 to $20 U.S. a week), but that’s optional. One-time registration fee is $50. Classes are $100 a week or $50 for weekends only. Write to P.O. Box 536, Bonita, Calif. 92002-0536, or phone (619) 472-1066.

England--Douglas Maguire, Diamond Bar: “Looking for something different? Elegant country house, totally refurbished with all five bedrooms en suite. Tennis court, color TV, tea/coffeemaking facilities. Rolling pastures. Rates: $70/$110 U.S., with full English breakfast. Near Birmingham, Coventry, Stratford-on-Avon. Write to Lodge Paddocks, Country House, Warings Green Road, Illshaw Heath, West Midlands B94 CBT.”

England--Elizabeth Alexander, Irvine: “Strongly recommend a stay in an old cottage in Sussex, 12 miles from Gatwick Airport. Only two guests at a time. Rate: 10 per person. This is a B&B.; Write to Mrs. D. Hawkes, 1 Nymans Cottages, Staplefield Road, Handcross, West Sussex RH17 6EB.”