Hit a jackpot in Las Vegas. Tried...

Hit a jackpot in Las Vegas. Tried the new limousine service from Los Angeles that was announced in Travel Tips June 4. It’s a package deal ($179) that includes round-trip transportation plus three days/two nights at the new San Remo Hotel Casino & Resort on Tropicana Avenue. Guests are picked up in stretch limousines that are equipped with TV sets, videos, bars. (They move like a cloud on the road to Nevada.) Winning Tours’ limousines leave Los Angeles/Orange County daily (both morning and evening). Return trips at 1 p.m. or midnight. Night owls doze en route, reaching Los Angeles in time to go to work. The 332-room San Remo Hotel (next door to the Tropicana) features a lounge show, gourmet restaurant, casino, swimming pool. For value, this is a hard act to follow.

Contact Winning Tours, 6125 W. Sahara Ave., Suite 2B, Las Vegas 89102, or telephone toll-free (800) 657-5334.

Budget Ideas

If you’re going to Las Vegas, get a copy of the Las Vegas Advisor. Publishes monthly. Tells where to get the best values for dining, entertainment (49-cent breakfasts, dinners for $2, shows for as little as $9.95). Readers are also told how to locate the hard-to-find penny slots. For a copy of the Las Vegas Advisor, send $1 to Huntington Press, Box 28041, Las Vegas, Nev. 89126.

Idyllic New Zealand

Idyll, the company that arranges for American travelers to stay in private chalets/apartments in Europe, has turned its attention to New Zealand. You can spend three weeks for as little as $11 a day per guest (based on four persons to an apartment) on either (or both) North Island or South Island. The price includes the assistance of a representative in New Zealand. All accommodations feature modern kitchens, living room, bedroom, bath. Linens/towels included. For brochures, write to Idyll Untours, P.O. Box 405, Media, Pa. 19063, or telephone (215) 565-5242.

Kiwi Skiing

While the United States swelters, New Zealanders are enjoying the best ski season in several years. Heavy snow began falling in the Southern Alps in May. As a result, a number of ski areas opened early this year. Lots of action at Queenstown’s Coronet Peak. Eight-to-15-day ski packages are being offered by a company called Skiing Kiwis in the Queenstown-Wanaka region. Beginners, intermediates, advanced. The Southern Alps takes in a territory bigger than the French, Italian and Swiss Alps combined. Heli-skiing on Tasman Glacier is high on the operator’s priority list. For details, contact the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Office, 10960 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 1530, Los Angeles 90024, (213) 477-8241.

Caribbean Hideaway

Drake’s Anchorage Resort Inn in the Caribbean is a hideaway for all reasons: It’s secluded (on a private island of only 126 acres), and the waters are picture post-card perfect for snorkelers. Drake’s is in the British Virgins. A speck on the map. Totally divorced from civilization, with a restaurant that serves West Indian/continental cuisine. If you can afford to splurge, you can rent the entire island. For a day, a week, a month. Four beaches, a dozen ocean-front accommodations. The operator says Drake’s is “where live entertainment is watching a humming bird sip nectar from a hibiscus or a pelican plunge into the sea.” To get to Drake’s you fly from San Juan, Puerto Rico, or St. Thomas to the island of Virgin Gorda. From there you take a short boat ride to Drake’s. Rates: $155 a day single, $205 double, including breakfast, lunch, dinner. A seven-night honeymoon package figures out to $999, including the use of snorkeling, windsurfer and other water sports equipment.

Contact Drake’s Anchorage, 209 Harvard St., Suite 207, Brookline, Mass. 02146, or call toll-free (800) 624-6651.

Pacific Northwest

In the Pacific Northwest, Harry Ellis operates mini-tours. Only eight persons aboard a 15-passenger van. Special deals for seniors. Coming up is a trip to the San Juan Islands, followed by a cruise through the Inside Passage, a visit to Alaska’s “friendliest ghost town.” Salmon/trout fishing, with a return to Seattle by way of British Columbia’s Frazier Valley. Eleven days: $798. Other tours of B.C. feature Vancouver, British Columbia’s Sunshine Coast, Port Alberni, a cruise aboard a Scottish coaster, plus time out for salmon fishing. Ten days: $999. A fall color trip will take in Seattle, the Cascade Mountains, Mt. Rainier, Olympic National Park, the San Juan Islands, Vancouver. Ten days: $999.

Adventure Outdoors, 5354 Ruby Place N.E., Bainbridge Island, Wash. 98110. Telephone (206) 842-3189.

Hawaii for Vegetarians

A new vegetarian health spa in Hawaii has the welcome mat out for mainlanders. It’s on the windward side of Oahu. Features nature hikes, beach walks, jogging, aerobics, canoe trips, yoga, health lectures. Diets for weight watchers. Bodil Anderson, a native of Sweden, is the founder. Anderson calls his spa “Hawaii’s only full-service vegetarian health retreat.” Ocean/mountain view accommodations. A maximum of 14 persons per week. Massages, herbal wraps. For rates and other details, write to The Plantation Spa, 51-550 Kamehameha Highway, Ka’a’Awa, Hawaii 96730.

Rocky Mountain Fishing

If fishing is your passion, the 4 UR Ranch in Creede, Colo., has the hook out for you. Eight miles of private angling on the 4 UR’s own Goose Creek, as well as three Rocky Mountain lakes. This is the one-time ranch of Gen. William J. Palmer, the founder of Alamosa, Durango and Colorado Springs. Palmer used the ranch as a haven for friends, delivering them by private train through the San Juans to the headwaters of the Rio Grande. Besides fishing, guests of the 4 UR soak in hot springs on the ranch, raft on the Rio Grande, ride, hike, play tennis. But fishing is the big attraction. The owners have spent 15 years guiding guests to waters containing browns, rainbows and native cutthroats. They promise “some of the best private fishing in Colorado.” For the adventurous, guides lead guests to lakes in the wilderness. Rates: $130 per day (single), $240 double. (Children four to 12 years, $95.) The ranch is open through Sept. 24.

Write to the 4 UR Ranch, P.O. Box 340, Creede, Colo. 81130, or call (303) 658-2202.

A Royal Retreat

England’s King Edward VII was a frequent visitor to Chateau de Montardy in that region of France known as the Dordogne. Edward fell in love with this 17th-Century castle that accommodates up to eight guests. Rates from $1,050 per week depending on the season. This area is popular with Americans. Forests, rivers, prehistoric caves, medieval villages. Only a short drive from Perigueux.

Meanwhile, in Provence you can rent a home that sleeps up to eight guests for $5,250 a month during the summer. Less during other seasons. Three bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, an American-style kitchen, a fireplace, a roof terrace with a view of Les Baux. Only a short drive to Avignon and Aux.

For details, write to At Home Abroad, 405 East 56th St., Suite 6H, New York 10022, or telephone (212) 421-9165.

Note: For information on other properties in the South of France, contact Villa Rentals, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 702, Los Angeles 90048, or telephone (213) 651-3071. Locations in Biot, Cannes, Chateauneuf, Grasse, Mons, Mougins-le-Haut, Roquefort, Theoule, Valbonne, Villeneuve Loubet.

A Letter from Britain

Mrs. Robin Candy writes: “We would like to invite your readers to explore the glorious West Country and Cotswolds by staying with us in our charming home situated in a quiet residential area of Chippenham, a small market town 12 miles east of Bath. An ideal touring base to many areas of outstanding natural beauty steeped in history. We offer warm hospitality. Provide a pretty double room overlooking the delights of our old English gardens. Our terms are 12 (about $19 U.S.) per person per night including breakfast, or one can rent the room without breakfast on a weekly basis of 140. My husband is a professional artist and art tutor at Chippenham College. My interests are historic architecture and gardening and I am a tourist guide at the Roman Baths.” Write to Mrs. Robin F. Candy, Carew House, 2 Lowden Hill, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 2BY, England.

Island Hideaway

From Paul Betouliere of Topanga Canyon: “Twenty-five years ago I stayed at Deetjens Big Sur Inn at Big Sur, where I met the inn’s guardian-caretaker, Ed Gardien. He created a warm and secure environment. Gardien is no longer at Big Sur Inn. He now operates a little inn on Kauai where he touches each person with that same magic care that made him so well-known at Big Sur Inn. I’m sure former guests at Big Sur would love to know where Ed Gardien has landed. Write to Gardien c/o Hanalei Bay Inn, P.O. Box 122, Hanalei, Kauai, Hawaii 96714.”

Reader Recommendations

California--Pebby and Kathryn Wafer, Chino Hills: “Our favorite B&B; is The Jabberwock, 598 Laine St., Monterey, Calif. 93940. Prices range from $85 to $150.”

California--Michael E. Leviton, Encino: Praise for The Inn at Shallow Creek Farm, County Road DD, Route 3, Box 3176, Orland, Calif. 95963. Rates from $45 to $75 per person, double occupancy.

Oregon--Marshall McCall, Long Beach: Enjoyed the Sonka Sheep Ranch B&B;, 901 N.W. Chadwick Lane, Myrtle Creek, Ore. 97457. Rates $45/$60 double.

Canada--Deb and Abe Luboff, Studio City: “If one is looking for a romantic experience, try Sooke Harbour House, 1528 Whiffen Spit Road, RR4, Sooke, B.C., Canada VOS INO. Rates: $80/$200. Each room is enormous. A spa tub, views of the ocean.”

Costa Rica--Fred and Marian Walburn, San Clemente: “The Maribu Caribe, P.O. Box 623-7300, Limon, Costa Rica. Rate about $56 a night for two, including taxes. This is north of town overlooking the Caribbean. Good restaurant, bar, swimming pool. Manager speaks English and is most helpful.”

New Zealand--Mary B. Scibetta, Sherman Oaks: “In Auckland I stayed at a charming B&B; with a quaint turn-of-the-century feeling throughout the home. The breakfasts were absolutely delicious. Rates are $55 New Zealand double, $35 single (about $35/$20 U.S.). Write to Bed & Breakfast, 811 Dominion Road, Mt. Eden, Auckland, New Zealand.”

Brazil--Ina Nuell Bliss, West Hollywood: Fine dining at Restaurant Marius, Rua Francisco Otavisano 96, in the Ipanema area.

England--Ann and Brian Wilson, Los Angeles: “A charming dining experience in Shrewsbury at the Peach Tree, hidden away in an Elizabethan building in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. Food was marvelous, reasonably priced. The best meal we have had in years.”

England--Jim and Marilyn van Oppen, Torrance: “Pickering Farm, Whaddon, Cambridgeshire. Rates: 12 for bed and breakfast, including snacks and tea. No smoking. The host will pick you up at the local BritRail stop. Golf and fishing nearby. Excellent pub. Owners of this working farm are Jeff and Monica Capon, Whaddon, Near Royston, Cambridgeshire.”

England--A. Christine Flum, Van Nuys: “Put Buckingham House on your list. Highly accessible to Castle Howard, Herriot sites. Charming, helpful people. Rates: 12/19. Write to Moira Wood, Buckingham House, Helmsley, York YO6 5DX.”

England--Barbara J. Condon, San Marino: “For a delightful, personalized tour of Oxford or the Cotswold countryside, contact Ina Merriman, Thames Gardens, Charlbury, Oxford 0X7 3QH.”

England/Scotland--Mr. and Mrs. Gene Horwitz, Valencia: “At Stratford-Upon-Avon, try Sandbarn Farm, Hampton Lucy, Warwick CV35 8AU. Rate: 15 per person. In Scotland, Tigh na mara, Achintore Road, Port Williams PH33 6RN. Rates: 12.50 per person.”

England--Coralie and Harry Sparkes, Oceanside: “Found a bargain in car rentals. Contact Minidrive, 10 Manor Place, Nether Heyford, Northants. Rates: $120 U.S. per week, including VAT, insurance and unlimited mileage.”

France--Neal Bertram, La Jolla: “Found a wonderful restaurant in the Marais section of Paris called Le Maraicher, 5 Rue Beautreillis. Delicious and imaginative food with first and main course for only about $13.75 U.S., tax and tip included.”

Recommendations must be brief (typewritten or printed). Only one recommendation per reader, please. Note: Recommendations will not be used unless prices and addresses are included.