Soon the low roller will be cruising...

Soon the low roller will be cruising to Las Vegas in the same high style of the high roller. Cindy Tractman, who transported Eastern vacationers to Atlantic City during the ‘70s, will be delivering Southern Californians, door to door, to Las Vegas’ new 332-room San Remo Hotel Casino & Resort by super-stretch limousines starting June 30. The $179 package will include round-trip transportation, three days/two nights at the San Remo. Tractman’s limos will feature an open bar, videos and TV. The door-to-door limousine/hotel service is programmed for vacationers looking to be pampered without paying the hefty price.

Details from Winning Tours, 6125 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 2B, Las Vegas, Nev. 89102. Telephone toll-free (800) 657-5334 or (702) 871-9499.

Vermont

Vermont is high on the list for vacationers planning trips to New England. For information on accommodations, write to the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 37, Montpelier, Vt. 05602 (request a copy of the Vermont Travelers’ Guidebook). This same agency publishes the Vermont Country Inn with information on B&Bs.; The booklet, “Vacation Rentals,” lists hundreds of cottages/cabins. Copies available from the Vermont Travel Division, 134 State St., Montpelier, Vt. 05602.

Swiss Treat

“Switzerland on $15 a Day” is the title of a new promotion by the Swiss National Tourist Office. Fifteen dollars is the bottom price you’ll pay for a room in one of 175 hotels throughout Switzerland. Rates range upscale to $40 a night. (The $40 rooms feature private baths). These are clean, family-style accommodations. For a free booklet titled E&G; Hotels, write to the Swiss National Tourist Office, 250 Stockton St., San Francisco 94108 or telephone (415) 362-2260.

At the same time, inquire about the Swisspass (good for unlimited trips by rail, bus, boat, streetcar in 24 Swiss cities). A 15-day pass figures out to about $10 a day. Travelers buying the Swisspass are given a free Citypass with descriptions of Switzerland’s major destinations, vouchers for free sightseeing tours, admission to museums, free snacks, reductions at spas. Check with the SNTO.

Wagon Train

Wagons West will roll again this summer/fall through Wyoming/Utah. These are replicas of covered wagons that carried settlers west. For comfort, the wagons are equipped with rubber tires, foam-padded seats. Wagon trains roll to Utah’s Redrock country near Zion and Grand Canyon plus the wilderness regions of Wyoming’s Teton National Forest. Afternoons are spent fishing/hiking. Meals are served family-style and guests bed down in wagons, tents or else outside under the stars. Wagons West also conducts mule rides and horse treks (accommodations at lodges/dude ranches). Adult rates: $195/$540 for the wagon train (up to five nights), $600 for horse treks. Special rates for children.

Contact L.D. Frome, Wagons West, Alton, Wyo. 83110. Telephone toll-free (800) 433-1595.

Britain by Train

A good buy in Britain this year is a five-day, four-night train tour that takes in Scotland, Wales, England. The price ($799) includes transportation, guide service, motor coaches (for side trips), first-class hotels with private baths, dinners each evening, a cocktail party in Plymouth plus Britain’s VAT. This is one of the widely heralded “Britainshrinkers” tours. Since 1973, Britainshrinkers has transported more than 250,000 vacationers.

For tour information, contact Britrail Travel International, 800 S. Hope St., Suite 603, Los Angeles 90017, (213) 624-8787. Other details from the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071, (213) 628-3525.

Canal Barge

Eight years ago, Chris Copping left London’s world of electronics to become the skipper of a Dutch trading vessel on the canals of France. Since then he’s delivered loads of vacationers through the Burgundy countryside. Six days and nights will cost you $1,250 (including breakfast/lunch). A choice of five cabins with private bath or shower. Copping says the barge “floats along at little more than a walking pace.” Passengers bicycle into the countryside, pedal alongside the boat or just sit back and watch the beauty of Burgundy slide by. Copping delivers his guests from Paris by minibus. The barge trip takes in the market town of Sens, the medieval village of Joigny and Burgundy’s capital of Auxerre. “It’s not the Queen Elizabeth 2, but it’s comfortable and clean,” said the Matthew Rothmans of Albertson, N.Y., who took the trip with Copping recently.

Contact Copping c/o Cruises in France, P.O. Box 2876, Torrance, Calif. 90509. Telephone (213) 679-2138.

Youth Travel/Israel

Israel’s Youth Hostels Assn. lists a wide selection of programs for the independent traveler. Tours begin at the Tel-Aviv Youth Hostel in Tel-Aviv. Seven-day tours priced at $180, including accommodations, breakfast/dinner, a seven-day bus ticket. The longer you stay, the cheaper the daily tab: 14 days, $340; 21 days, $490, 28 days, $630. Other tours combine Egypt/Jordan with Israel.

Details from Home Tours International, 1170 Broadway, New York 10001, toll-free (800) 367-4668, or by writing to the Israel Youth Hostels Assn., P.O. Box 1075, Jerusalem 94625. Ask for a copy of “Israel on the Youth Hostel Trail.”

Rome Pension

R.V. of Sacramento writes: “Can you give me the name of a small (reasonable) hotel in Rome? Something with atmosphere.” Nothing is really cheap in Rome these days. I favor the Scalinata di Spagna, the little 10-room pension facing the expensive Hassler Hotel at the top of the Spanish Steps. A double with private bath starts at about $75. A friendly proprietor, cheerful atmosphere, a roof garden with a stunning view of Rome. A parrot has the run of the hotel (the bird is madly in love with the proprietor’s wife). Several good restaurants within walking distance of this pension.

Address: Scalinata di Spagna, Piazza Trinita dei Monte 17, 00187 Rome, Italy.

Reader Recommendations

Massachusetts--Pam Lechtman, Woodland Hills: “If you plan to be in Boston, contact Samuel Eisenberg. He’s been driving a cab for 39 years. During an afternoon of sightseeing he pointed out various monuments and sites, along with an amazing amount of historical trivia not in the books. You can reach him at (617) 633-1347. Eisenberg is the best one-man public relations firm Boston has.”

Florida--Jerri and Ed Spoehel, Northridge: Enjoyed Grandma Newton’s bed and breakfast, 40 N.W. 5th Ave., Florida City, Fla. 33034. “Two cages of cockatoos on the front porch offer a warm welcome. This is a fenced, one-acre home. Four guest bedrooms with private baths. Near the Florida Keys, Everglades and Miami. Rates for doubles, including magnificent breakfasts: $35 to $65.”

Arizona--Fran Miner, San Diego: “A restaurant called Eat Your Heart Out, 350 Jordan Road, Sedona, Ariz. 86336. Dinner with candlelight and wine. There is also a luncheon buffet.”

California--Mr. and Mrs. Ron Bain, Los Angeles: “Had a delightful stay at the Golden Gate Hotel, a bed and breakfast at 775 Bush St., San Francisco 94108. Two blocks from Union Square, half a block from the Powell Street cable car. Cheerfully decorated (fresh flowers in every room). Rates: $45/$69.”