David Johnson of Portland, Ore., is booking...

David Johnson of Portland, Ore., is booking villas again for 1990 on Italy’s Lake Como. Summer space is filling up fast. Still openings for autumn/spring months. Rates: $800/$1,025 a week. Villas face the lake from the north shore in the village of Gera. To get a fix on Gera, it’s about an hour by car from Lugano. Besides villas, Johnson also makes reservations for 7-10-day walking tours of the Italian Lake District using luxury hotels. Tennis, golf, riding. Rates start at $1,570 and include breakfast, dinner, taxes, gratuities. Twice monthly departures from Lugano beginning in May.

Contact David Johnson c/o Laghi Travel, 301 S.W. Lincoln, Suite 802, Portland, Ore. 97201.

Florida Guide: Vacationers planning motor trips to Florida can order a 96-page guide featuring discounts at hundreds of lodgings throughout the state. Details on where to exit for budget motels/hotels plus inexpensive dining/entertainment. Example: accommodations at Daytona/St. Petersburg (one to four persons) for $29. Directions for off-ramps on Florida Interstates 95, 75, 10 and 4. Other pages devoted to discount coupons/mileage charts.

For copies, send $2 to Exit Information Guide Inc., 3014 N.E. 21st Way, Gainesville, Fla. 32609.

Alaska Travel Pass: A new pass for visitors to Alaska is being issued by AlaskaPass of Haines. Good for travel on British Columbia ferries/rail lines, Vancouver Island Coach Lines/Greyhound Lines, Alaska Marine Highway ferries, Alaska Railroad, Alaskon Express Motorcoaches and municipal bus lines in Anchorage, Fairbanks, Juneau. Travel valid for eight to 30 days, depending on type of pass selected. Group discounts on request.

Details from AlaskaPass Inc., P.O. Box 897, Haines, Alaska 99827-0897. Telephone toll-free (800) 248-7598.

Portugal’s Riviera: Mediterranean villas along Portugal’s Algarve are the latest offering of Hometours of New York. Thirty ocean-view units. Accommodations for two to six guests in one- to three-bedroom units. Fireplaces, terraces, patios, gardens, swimming pools. A beach nearby. Maid service six days a week. Restaurants/shops within walking distance. Rates $57/$116 U.S. a day. Weekly rates also available.

Hometours International, 1170 Broadway, New York 10001. Call toll-free (800) 367-4668.

Sunday in San Francisco: A free night (Sunday) at San Francisco’s Hotel Bedford is being offered to guests arriving Saturday or staying over on Monday. Two nights for the price of one are available for $94 single, $99 double. Offer is good through April 30. The Bedford is three blocks off Union Square. Complimentary wine in the evening. Guest rooms feature an honor bar with snacks/beverages.

Hotel Bedford, 761 Post St., San Francisco 94109. Telephone toll-free (800) 652-1889 in California or (800) 227-5642 outside the state.

Living High in Japan: During June, students of all ages will be living the good life in Japan in a village near Kyoto. A “hands-on” experience in Japanese culture will be offered at the Oomoto School of Traditional Arts in Kameoka. Students will wear kimonos, sleep on tatami mats, learn calligraphy, the Noh dance, flower arranging, pottery making. They’ll attend tea ceremonies, visit Zen temples. Cost for the monthlong program (including room, meals, tuition and materials) is $1,900.

Write to Yoshitaka Nishino c/o Oomoto Foundation, Kameoka-shi, Kyoto-fu, Japan 621, or to the school’s U.S. representative, Patricia Ryan, 168 Grand View Ave., San Francisco 94114.

Reader Recommendations

Fiji--Mark Oki, Culver City: Enjoyed the Mana Island Resort, P.O. Box 610, Oautoka, Fiji. “A 12-minute seaplane ride from Nadi International Airport. Well-maintained bures that overlook white sandy beaches. Daily rates about $90 U.S. Activities include scuba diving, snorkeling, water skiing, windsurfing, fishing, tennis.”

Ireland--”A wonderful B&B;, The Ranch House, Cork Road, Newcastle West, County Limerick, Ireland. Run by Joan and John King. Rate: 10 a day.”

England--Bruce J. Altshuler, Beverly Hills: “If anyone misses California cuisine during their visit to London, try Mulholland Drive, operated by Robert Jones, an Englishman who acquired his recipes while living in Southern California. Reasonably priced meals. California-style salads, steaks plus tape recordings of Los Angeles radio broadcasts for atmosphere. Address: 201-203 Stoke Newington Church St., London N16.”

England--Gene Romano, San Diego: “Discovered Camelford House B&B;, Camelford, Cornwall. Owners directed us on day-trips, introducing us to their favorite country pubs at night. They are fond of Americans. We booked for three nights and stayed 10. Rates: 10 per person through June, 12 through August.”

England--Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd De Graw, San Diego: “A small B&B; operated by Paddy and Mary Gordon, 22 Stirling Ave., Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, England. Paddy and Mary make you feel at home. The rate is $20 U.S. per person, and for that you have tea and homemade dessert on arrival, a huge breakfast and a thermos of coffee to take with you. Easy access to the Cotswolds and Oxford.”

Scandinavia--Ulla Fetzer, Santa Monica: “Hotelcheque Systems in Scandinavia offers a less expensive way of staying in hotels this summer. Buy Scandic Cheques, Best Western Cheques or Danish Inn Cheques. Each check covers one night’s accommodation in shared twin room with private bath, buffet breakfast, taxes, service charges. For a list of the participating hotels and information about the checks, call Scantours toll-free at (800) 223-7226.”

Turkey--Stephen P. Webb, Los Angeles: Describes a trip to Turkey with his wife and two youngsters as “one of the finest vacations that our family has taken.” High praise for the Turkish people. “All were friendly and cordial.” Arrangements made through M. Akif Gurerk, Trans Royal Travel & Tourism Agency, 2 Selanik Caddesi, 33/19 Kizilay-Ankara, Turkey.

Vermont--Hazel Constance, West Hollywood: “I stayed at the Nordic Hills Lodge, 179 Coldbrook Road, Wilmington, Vt. 05363. Spotlessly clean. Breakfasts and dinners were excellent. So were the homemade cookies and breads laid out every afternoon for guests after skiing.”

Maine--Nancy Shepard, San Diego: “The Inn at Harbor Head, RR2 Box 1180, Kennebunkport, Me. 04046. This is in George and Barbara Bush’s magnificent vacation neighborhood. An intimate B&B; that has everything. Splendidly decorated rooms with ocean views. Lively cocktail hours, creative breakfasts. Rates: $105/$130 double.”

Alaska--Jennie and Larry Stone, Santa Monica: “In Lake Clark National Park we had an unforgettable wilderness adventure at Distant Shores, the isolated homestead of Craig and Gail Coray. Write to the Corays c/o Distant Shores, 440 West 88th St., Anchorage, Alaska 99515. One party at a time. Minimum stay: five days. Rates (four to six persons): $120 per person a day.”

Arizona--Douglas J. Woodman, Fresno: Praise for the Copper Queen Hotel, 11 Howell St., Bisbee, Ariz. “This famous 45-room hotel was constructed in the early 1900s when Bisbee was a thriving copper mining town. The hotel has been beautifully restored. The dining room is outstanding. Rates: $40/$70.”

California--Mrs. Norman Rubin, San Diego: Praises Dinah’s Motor Hotel & Apartments, 4261 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, Calif. 94306 (near Stanford University). Rate: $67.32.

California--Ralph D. Slocum, San Diego: Enjoyed Dickinson/Boal Mansion Bed & Breakfast Inn, 1433 East 24th St., National City, Calif. 92050. Rates: $75/$85 double occupancy.

California--Avis and Nick Buzolich, Irvine: High praise for Wildasinn House, P.O. Box 8026, Mammoth Lakes 93546. “A most delightful and comfortable mountain inn and a rare treat. Innkeeper Roxy Romo serves a delicious breakfast and makes one feel so welcome. Rates: $65/$85.”

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.