Beginning Jan. 9, British Airways will fly...

Beginning Jan. 9, British Airways will fly you round trip to London and Manchester for $438. Requires a minimum seven-day visit (maximum: 21 days). Tickets must be purchased 45 days in advance. Non-refundable. Eastbound travel restricted to Sundays through Wednesdays, westbound Mondays through Thursdays. Offer good through March 8.

See your travel agent or call British Airways toll-free at (800) 247-9297.

Other Discounts

DIF Travel of Hollywood is offering a number of discounted seats on scheduled airlines for passengers acting as couriers for overnight mail companies. These companies operate a service similar to Federal Express with one exception: trips are by commercial jet. (Federal Express operates its own fleet of planes.) DIF has four to five seats daily to London, three to five to New York City, one to Honolulu, three to Hong Kong. These plus others. Fares (depending on season) start at $300 round trip to London and Paris, $200 to New York City, $350 to Singapore and Hong Kong, $600 to Australia. Generally, passengers are not required to deliver parcels. They merely represent the company on the flight. Note: DIF also has discounted standby fares to Europe, March/October.

DIF Travel, 3317 N. Barham Blvd., Hollywood 90068, or call (213) 851-2572.

Best Friend

Dawn and Robert Habgood have written another book for dog lovers, “On The Road Again With Man’s Best Friend.” Concentrates on resorts, inns and B&Bs; in California, Oregon, Washington that welcome travelers with canine companions. The Habgoods checked out more than 450 locations on the West Coast (took along their two golden retrievers). Selected only the best. The 220-page paperback gives rates, addresses, telephone numbers of the various properties.

This isn’t a book just for dog owners, but any traveler exploring the West Coast. Loaded with information on select accommodations. Well written. Good details.

Inquire at your local bookstore or write to the Habgoods, P.O. Box 2758, Duxbury, Mass. 02331.

For Skiers

A toll-free number is available for skiers seeking B&B; accommodations in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Dial (800) 825-0225. Listings for more than 110 properties. Information on rates, nearby ski areas. Some inns feature hot tubs, fireplaces. One 13-room inn at Breckenridge, Colo., provides double/queen beds. Features a hot tub, wood-burning stove, steam room. Serves continental buffet breakfasts. Free shuttles to ski points at Breckenridge, Copper Mountain, Keystone and A-Basin. Rates: $31/$83. Call number above for details.

Cruise Discounts

World Wide Cruises of Florida has established a toll-free hot line providing details on low-cost cruises. World Wide says it offers an “average of $500 savings on most seven-day sailings.” Longer cruises to Alaska, the Mediterranean. For up-to-the-minute information on discounts and cabin availability, call (800) 882-9000. No membership charges. No service fees.

World Wide Cruises, 8059 W. McNab Road, Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 33321.

Adventure Travel

For adventurers, Wilderness Travel has published a new 84-page catalogue. Spotlights dozens of trips around the world for ’89. Destinations: the Galapagos, Amazon, Andes, Nepal, Tibet, Africa, Europe. Information on various attractions. Stunning color photos (wildlife, scenics, local residents). A nice publication both for the adventurer and the armchair traveler.

Free copies from Wilderness Travel, 801 Allston Way, Berkeley, Calif. 94710.

Letter From England

From Mary Evans of Great Britain: “I would dearly love to visit California, and preferably not as a ‘package tourist.’ So I’m wondering whether any of your readers would like to exchange a holiday with me? I’m a divorced, Irish-born woman in my early 50s. Self-employed and had my own antique shop for some years. Would be delighted to take my exchange visitor out to London, antique shops, country houses and show her (or him) around. I live 45 miles from London.”

The idea is for the Californian, in turn, to host Mrs. Evans in the United States. Her address: 97 Newport Road, Woburn Sands, Milton Keynes, England MK17 8UN.

Oregon

Fourteen driving itineraries are listed in the latest Exploregon Travel Guide. Tips on sightseeing, accommodations, restaurants, wineries, shopping, fishing, camping. Areas profiled include the Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, Crater Lake, Ashland (for the Shakespeare Festival), Migrant Lake, Grant’s Pass, the wine country. Listed are names/addresses/telephone numbers of visitor information centers throughout the state.

Copies free at AAA offices in California, Washington, Oregon, or by sending $1.95 to Exploregon, Oregon Marketing Associates, 600 High St. N.E., Salem, Ore. 97301.

Reader Recommendations

California--Kathleen Craig, Flintridge: Enjoyed Boulder Creek Bed & Breakfast, 4572 Ben Hur Road, Mariposa, Calif. 95338. Rates: $55/$65. “It has three guest bedrooms, one with a private bath. Quiet, rustic surroundings.”

California--Thora Rebard, Newport Beach: Praises El Bonita Motel, 195 Maine St., St. Helena, Calif. 94574. “New rooms. Fully equipped kitchens. Off-season rates with senior citizen discount: $70.29. Situated in the center of the wineries of Napa Valley on Route 29.”

California--Jim and Barbara Heywood, La Canada: “Had an excellent stay at The Plough and the Stars Country Inn, 1800 27th St., Arcata, Calif. 95571. Prices: $50/$75 plus tax. “Warm hospitality and service by the owners. A perfect example of what a B&B; should be.”

Hawaii--Iris Storch, Studio City: Enjoyed Avalon Restaurant, 844 Front St., Lahaina, Maui. “Local foods prepared and served with a melange of spice and flavors ranging from Mexican to Indonesian. Price range $6/$20 and worth every penny.”

Pennsylvania--Jack Katz, Marina Del Rey: “I would like to recommend a wonderful B&B;, the Sevenoaks Farm, 492 New Galena Road, Chalfont, Pa. 18914. Double rooms start at $55, plus tax. Breakfast absolutely made to order by the host. A pleasant experience overall.”

Florida--Stuart Rosenberg, Hollywood: Enjoyed The Mermaid & The Alligator Guesthouse, 729 Truman Ave., Key West, Fla. 33040. “Completely restored B&B; inn. It would be difficult to find a more attractive guest house with more hospitable hosts.” Rates: $50 to $75.

Alaska--Dick Slade and Linda Janssen, Simi Valley: Enjoyed an Alaskan breakfast of caribou sausage and sourdough pancakes at a B&B; at 12531 Turk’s Turn, Anchorage, Alaska 99516. Rates start at $45 single, $60 double.

Fiji--Sandra Hoffman, Studio City: Enjoyed Kaba’s Motel & Guesthouse, P.O. Box 4, Taveuni, Fiji Islands. Rates: $25 U.S. single, $30 double.

Mexico--Ginny and Del Smeltzer, Anaheim: “For RVers wanting an enjoyable, interesting, relaxing and fun caravan for 27 days through Baja to Cabo San Lucas, we highly recommend Carr’s Caravans, P.O. Box 956, Windsor, Calif. 95492. Next caravans are scheduled for Feb. 4, March 6 and April 4. Cost per one rig with two people is $898. Caravan provides wagon master, daily hookups, tourist permit, several meals, tours.”