Tour Information That’s Free for All

A post card or phone call is all it takes to command a wealth of travel information. Here are some of the latest offerings.

Long Beach and Southern California’s 72-page, four-color magazine includes map, calendar of events, B&Bs;, luxury hotels. A free brochure detailing weekend packages also is available. Contact the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Council at One World Trade Center, No. 300, Long Beach 90831-0300, (213) 436-3645.

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Florida visitors planning a drive of the state should send for an 88-page booklet that provides exit-by-exit data on restaurants, lodging and attractions along Florida’s Interstate highways. Mileage charts, maps and discount coupons. Add $2 for postage and handling and send to Exit Information Guide, 3014 N.E. 21st Way, Gainesville, Fla. 32609.

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Mendocino Coast’s vacation homes, B&Bs;, whale watching, camping and horseback riding information is given in new brochures from the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce. A map/guide to the town of Mendocino (where the last episodes of TV’s “Murder, She Wrote” were filmed), plus a calendar of events, will be sent with them. Send a stamped, self-addressed envelope with 45 cents postage to the Mendocino Coast Chamber of Commerce at P.O. Box 1141, Ft. Bragg, Calif. 95437.

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A Eurail pocket-size timetable for trains running between all major cities in Europe has been issued by Eurailpass, the 17-country rail-pass organization. The best inter-city rail connections are given in a 160-page booklet that covers trains running from next Sunday to May 26, 1990. For free copies of “Through Europe by Train,” write to Eurailpass, P.O. Box 325, Old Greenwich, Conn. 06870-0325.

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West Germany’s state of Hesse offers a new 200-page catalogue that lists the many vacation attractions available in this area of the country. Twenty-two listed castles offer lodging for vacationers, plus the latest prices for guest houses, hotels and 32 spas and cure centers. The brochure is printed in English. For a free copy, write to Hessische Landeszentrale fur Fremdenverkehr, Abraham-Lincoln-Strasse 38-42, 6200 Wiesbaden, Federal Republic of Germany.

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The Finger Lakes region of New York has a new 12-page B&B; guide that features 77 suggestions in the scenic grape-growing region of the state. The guide includes an expanded map, 50-word description of each facility, prices and handicapped access information. Send a stamped, self-addressed No. 10 envelope to FLBBA, P.O. Box 862, Canandaigua, N.Y. 14424.

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Overseas Adventure Travel has just published a 64-page brochure on safaris, treks and other exotic trips. Worth writing for if only for dreaming. It has dozens of color photos and travel articles about the Masai, the Lost City of the Incas and Himalayan trips. Soft treks and safaris may appeal to families. Write to Overseas Adventure Travel, 349 Broadway, Cambridge, Mass. 02139, or call toll-free (800) 221-0814.

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Popular Cape Cod with some 300 miles of seashore is ready for holiday visitors and inns, B&Bs; and resorts await vacationers this summer. For a free accommodations directory, write to Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce, Hyannis 50, Mass. 02601, or phone (508) 361-3225.

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The Missouri Travel Guide, a 104-page compilation, features the state’s lakes, caves, golf courses, arts, music shows, rivers/canoeing, family fun parks, sports, state parks, historic sites and wineries. A typical listing, for example, will include an attraction’s location, description, price and phone number. Call (800) 877-1234 for the guide.

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“Yukon, The Magic and the Mystery,” a 72-page guide, contains maps, information about driving, fishing and hunting licenses, vehicle and camper rentals and air services. It’s a pleasure to read as well as learn from. Available free from Tourism Yukon, P.O. Box 2703, Whitehorse, Y.T., Canada Y1A 2C6, or phone (403) 667-5340.

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The Reno-Sparks area is the subject of a 42-page travel planner with information about accommodations, events, recreation, entertainment, sightseeing, transportation, map and tours. A separate four-page calendar lists hundreds of events such as gaming tourneys, livestock and equestrian competitions and performing arts productions. Write to the Reno Sparks Convention & Visitor Authority, P.O. Box 837, Reno 89504, or phone (702) 827-7662.

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British Columbia highlights its guest ranches in a new brochure that includes turn-of-the-century ranching or luxuriously appointed lodges with spas and beauty parlors. Phone toll-free (800) 663-6000.

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Oregon B&B; Directory contains a list of the inns and rates, plus brief descriptions. It’s free by sending a No. 10 self-addressed, stamped envelope to Oregon B&B; Directory, 230 Red Spur Drive, Grants Pass, Ore. 97527.

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Massachusetts comes to the rescue for travelers making last-minute plans to visit the state. They can order express delivery of the Bay State’s 200-page tour guide. Call for the new “Spirit Express” service and you’ll get the guidebook within 24 hours. Cost of delivery is $4.95, payable with MasterCard or Visa; the guidebook is free. Phone (800) 447-MASS, Ext. 30.

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Pennsylvania’s new 60-page Spring/Summer Travel Guide contains a calendar of events and all the information needed for exploring the state. It includes 54 coupons for each of the state’s tourist promotion agents so readers can receive additional information about their areas of interest. Write to the Office of Communications, Pennsylvania Department of Commerce, 453 Forum Building, Harrisburg, Pa. 17120, or phone (800) VISIT-PA, Ext. 19.