A note from Scott McTiernan of the...

A note from Scott McTiernan of the little San Juan Guest Ranch in the Colorado Rockies tells of summer plans. The season opens June 1 with a thrifty package ($700) that includes a room in the ranch house, meals, a horse, sightseeing by Jeep, fishing (McTiernan supplies poles, bait).

New in ’89 will be two spring flower photo workshops (June 11-17 and June 18-24). Film is developed nightly with critiques by professional photographer Chuck Dresner. Two “autumn colors” photo workshops are planned for Sept. 24-30, Oct. 1-7. The price remains the same throughout the season, whether guests attend the workshops or just ride, fish and sightsee (or else just laze in the shade of the towering ponderosa pine outside the ranch).

The San Juan is next door to the village of Ouray (the “Switzerland of America”). Meals served family-style. Morning and afternoon or all-day rides. Jeep trips to ghost towns hidden in the San Juan Mountains. This is a small, friendly ranch. Only 25 guests. Meadows reach out to the mountains. A white rail fence, red barn. Dudes come all the way from Europe to saddle up at this friendly little ranch.

Scott McTiernan, San Juan Guest Ranch, 2882 Highway 23, Ridgway, Colo. 81432. Telephone (303) 626-5360.

Upbeat Tours

B.L. of Brentwood wants the name of an “upscale” tour operator. Hemphill Harris is one of the top-of-the-line companies. Trips are aimed at the discriminating traveler. A la carte meals (choose the restaurant that appeals to you, order whatever you wish, give Hemphill Harris the bill and they reimburse you). The company books deluxe hotels. In Sao Paulo it’s the Maksoud Plaza, in Rio the Caesar.

Hemphill Harris has prepared eight major catalogues (Europe, Africa, Egypt/Middle East, the Orient, China, South America, South Pacific, India). These are slick, magazine-quality publications. Details on 150 different tours, 1,200 departures. Hemphill Harris also does barge/balloon trips in France.

Catalogues are available from your travel agent or from Hemphill Harris, 16000 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200, Encino 91436. Call toll-free (800) 252-2103 (California), (800) 421-0454 (nationwide), (800) 367-8075 (Canada).

Paris by Foot

Travelers who enjoy seeing a city by foot are being offered a free Paris guide. Describes seven walking tours, dozens of attractions: Place de la Concorde, the Elysee Palace, Rond-Point, Palais de Chaillot, Eglise de la Madeleine, Place Vendome, Palais Royal, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre Dame, the Louvre, ad infinitum. In the centerfold a handy map pinpoints many of the sites. Other pages devoted to trips outside Paris (Versailles, Chantilly, Fontainebleau, Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Malmaison, Chartres, Vaux-le-Vicomte, Giverny, Barbizon). This is a handy little booklet. Free copies by sending a self-addressed envelope to Paris a Pied, Dept. NYCDX, 2039 9th Ave., Ronkonkoma, N.Y. 11779.

Europe by Train

The Eurailpass people have published a new 36-page, pocket-size guide for train buffs zeroing in on Europe. Contains a helpful map showing major rail lines that serve 17 countries under the Eurailpass banner. Details on trip scheduling. Helpful phrases in French, Spanish, German, Italian. Other information on distances (city to city), train frequencies. A lot of travelers are opting for train travel this year. Besides Western Europe, Hungary has been added to the list of countries served by Eurailpasses. For copies of the guide, write to Eurailpass, Box 325, Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870-0325.

Germany on the Cheap

LTU International Airways of Germany will jet you round trip from Los Angeles to Dusseldorf, Munich or Frankfurt for $569 through April (one-way fares, $330). No advance booking, no minimum stay. (From New York you pay $399 round trip, $250 one way.) There’s a 33% discount for children. LTU has been flying for 30 years. Serves countries around the world. (Flights to other destinations must be bought in Germany.) Details by calling toll-free (800) 888-0200.

Letter From Britain

John Goldsmith used to cut classical records with such big names as Leopold Stokowski, Ruggerio Ricci. Now he’s switched to the tour business. Instead of spinning platters he’s spinning through the English Lake District in a Mercedes minibus, delivering vacationers on trips that feature the English countryside.

Only a dozen travelers per tour. Accommodations in Country House Hotels in England’s Lake District National Park. Visits to Grasmere, Ullswater, Wasdale, Buttermere. Goldsmith’s group hops a lake steamer at one point, a steam train at another. Wild and stirring scenery. Ancient houses/castles. This isn’t a cheap tour. Six days: $1,125 per person (accommodations, meals, sightseeing). Contact Goldsmith c/o Land of the Lakes Tours Ltd., The Birches, Cornbirthwaite Road, Windemere, Cumbria LA23 1DG, England. In the United States dial toll-free (800) 441-2558.

Guidebooks

Mobil has come out with its 1989 updated guides. They cover the United States. Descriptions of more than 21,000 hotels, motels, inns, restaurants. One to five stars. Entries are rated on information gathered annually by more than 100 field reps. The Mobil guides contain maps, sightseeing suggestions, travel tips, discount coupons. Seven regional volumes ($9.95 each) plus a “Major Cities” edition. On sale at your local bookstore. A good buy. These are top-of-the-line guides.

Freighters

Trips on freighters operated by Columbus Line to Australia/New Zealand will cost you about $100 a day. Eight to 12 passengers per ship. Cabins are carpeted, equipped with refrigerators, picture windows. These ships feature swimming pools, lounges, bars. Dining rooms are shared with the ship’s German officers. You sail from Los Angeles to Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Wellington. The return is to Tacoma, Wash. About 42-45 days. Age limit: 79 years.

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

Reader Recommendations

Hawaii--Bill and Linda Gabriel, Solana Beach: “Enjoyed a two-week stay in a lovely two-bedroom/two-bath ocean-front condominium north of Kaanapali on the island of Maui. Spacious units. Views of Molokai and Lanai. Rates: $225 a night and up. The unit sleeps four to six. Contact Aston Resorts, Paki Maui, Route 1, Lower Honopiilani Highway, Lahaina, Hawaii 96161.”

Louisiana--William E. Webster, Elk Grove: High praise for Pastore’s Italian restaurant, 301 Tchoupitoulas St., New Orleans. “Our meal with wine, including tip, was less than $50 for two.”

Oregon--lizabeth Symmonds, Eagle Rock: “A delightful time in Hood River at the Pheasant Run Bed & Breakfast, 1190 Country Club Road, Hood River, Ore. 97031. Margaret and Tony Dallman, the proprietors, are such fun. He looks like Papa Hemingway and she is an ex-ballet dancer. The inn sits between two snowcapped mountains. Ice fields all year. I highly recommend this place. Rates: $25/$50.”

France--Huguette Patinaude, Venice: “In November last year I rented an apartment for two weeks in Villefranche-Sur-Mer on the Riviera. The best vacation I ever had. The apartment had a living room, kitchen, bedroom, bath, balcony overlooking the sea. All this for $385 U.S. a week. I rented through Christian Lucas (other rentals in the South of France), 1007 Elk Grove Ave., No. 2, Venice, Calif. 90291).”

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.