A new B&B; at Capitola-by-the-Sea (near Santa...

A new B&B; at Capitola-by-the-Sea (near Santa Cruz) is nirvana for railroad buffs. Occupies a former depot (circa 1901). Eight rooms with individual themes: Paris, Portofino, Stratford-on-Avon, the Cote d’Azur, etc. Private baths, fireplaces. Sits on a bluff less than two blocks from the ocean. Antique shops, golf courses, wineries close by. Owner Dan Floyd says the inn was “designed for the traveler who insists on going first-class.” Some “first-class” rates as well: $135/$185 (single/double occupancy). Includes a full breakfast, hors d’oeuvres/wine in the afternoon, before-bedtime dessert.

Inn at Depot Hill, 250 Monterey Ave., Capitola-by-the-Sea, Calif. 95010. Call (408) 462-3376.

Mexico Giveaway: Few things are free these days, but here’s an exception. To celebrate the opening of two resort hotels in Mexico, Marriott is picking up the tab for the first night at either hotel. The offer, based on space availability, is good till Sept. 30 at properties in Cancun/Puerto Vallarta, including a complimentary breakfast. The 450-rooom Cancun resort features tennis, a health club, water sports. In Puerto Vallarta, Marriott’s 430-room hotel faces the beach. A championship golf course and marina are available to guests. Mexican, American, Japanese cuisine.

Contact your travel agent or telephone (800) 228-9290.

China on a Shoestring: Tourism to China continues to suffer due to the tragedy in Beijing a year ago. In an effort to attract new travelers, InterPacific Tours International has announced a 15-day trip to Beijing, Shanghai and Hangzhou for only $1,025 (round-trip air, hotels, transfers, visa fees). A bargain for those who can put Tien An Men Square out of mind. (Prices in November drop to $979.) InterPacific books similar trips that include meals/land arrangements, in addition to air/hotels, for as little as $1,595.

Your travel agent or InterPacific Tours International, 111 East 15th St., New York 10003. Call (800) 221-3594.

For Adventurers: Travel writer James C. Simmons has authored a 432-page paperback for adventure travelers that’s packed with details on bicycling, wildlife expeditions, river rafting, canoeing, kayaking, diving, cross-country skiing, backpacking, barge/houseboating. Suggestions range from hiking in Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains to island-hopping through Micronesia.

“The Big Book of Adventure Travel” (New American Library, $14.95). Dozens of contacts (addresses/telephone numbers) for adventurers of all ages.

Britain for Free: A 98-page paperback that’s packed with money-saving ideas in England, Scotland, Wales is being mailed free by the British Tourist Authority. Details on dining, shopping, entertainment, accommodations (B&Bs; to elegant country-house hotels). Advice on how to secure reduced-priced theater tickets, passes for entry into hundreds of castles, stately homes. Other information on inexpensive rail/bus/air tickets. At the back of the book you’ll find useful addresses/telephone numbers for car rentals, antique dealers, tourist information offices, theaters, farmhouse holidays.

For a copy of “Great Britain--Great Values,” write to the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071, or call (213) 628-3525.

Meanwhile, the BTA is mailing a free brochure describing more than 200 farms in Wales (some dating from the 16th Century) that provide B&B; services.

Currency Guide: Reusch International (the Washington, D.C., money-changer) updates a pocket-size foreign currency guide three times a year. Contains charts for 24 countries (Australia to Sweden, Switzerland, Yugoslavia). The spring issue contains additional information on tipping. Reusch suggests leaving waiters/waitresses 15% in those restaurants that fail to add a service charge. Other suggestions for tipping taxi drivers, bellmen, maids.

For a free copy of the “Foreign Currency Guide,” write to Reusch International, 1350 Eye St. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005.

The Inn Way: A note from Carol Wolf-Setka of Northern California, who reserves inns for travelers both in the United States and overseas. “Everything,” says Wolf-Setka, “from a B&B; to a castle.” Farmhouses, cottages, flats, villas, manor houses. Wolf-Setka assists vacationers with the booking of accommodations for a day, a week, a month. No time limit. She also provides gift certificates to give to friends, relatives.

Carol Wolf-Sitka c/o Inns by Design, P.O. Box 5098, Novato, Calif. 94948.

Travel Insurance: Mexico Travel Advisors (specializes in travel to Latin America) is offering trip-protection insurance under an agreement with Access America Inc. Cost: $25 per person per trip. Covers cancellations, lost baggage, theft, medical expenses/transportation, travel accidents. Policy holders are given a hot line for collect calls during an emergency. Other help in posting bail, finding legal assistance, arranging for emergency cash transfers.

Call Mexico Travel Advisors at (800) 876-4682.

New York Guide/Map: A new supply of travel guide/maps of New York state are being mailed to travelers by the New York Hospitality & Tourism Assn. Information is geographically organized by region. Details about hotels, motels, resorts, inns, B&Bs.; Other tips on reservations services, recreational areas. Contains telephone numbers, addresses that are helpful when planning your trip. For a copy, send $1 with a self-addressed envelope to Travel Guide, NYSH&TA;, 505 Fifth Ave., Suite 902, New York 10018.

Reader Recommendations

California--Jill and Rick Weinlein, Los Angeles: “A great B&B; in Healdsburg in the heart of the Sonoma wine country--the Grape Leaf Inn, 539 Johnson St., Healdsburg, Calif. 95448. Wine and cheese party at 6 p.m., delicious breakfasts. Rates: $70/$115 and worth every penny.”

California--Nancy C. Ramsayer, Encinitas: “In Palm Desert I took a wilderness Jeep tour. Our driver was a wildlife biologist. The scenery was gorgeous. Contact Desert Off Road Adventures, P.O. Box 4528, Palm Desert 92261-4528.”

New Mexico--Christine L. Eberhard, Mar Vista: “Elaine’s B&B;, P.O. Box 444, Cedar Crest, N.M. 87008. Elaine’s was a wonderful surprise, about half an hour northeast of Albuquerque near Sandia Peak. Rates: $55/$75.”

Oregon--Carol Grier, Portland, Ore.: “Just spent three days at Sandlake Country Inn, 8505 Galloway Road, Cloverdale, Ore. 97112. An unforgettable experience. The 1894 home is surrounded by lush vegetation. Margo and Charles Underwood are superb hosts. Rates: $60/$75.”

Utah--Norman and Anna-Lisa Kingsley, La Canada: “Quail Hills Bed & Breakfast, 3744 E. North Little Cottonwood Road, Sandy, Utah 84092. An immaculate B&B; at the base of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Shuttle to Snowbird and Alta ski resorts. Room for two with private bath: $52. We highly recommend it.”

Ireland--Dr. Edward J. O’Neill, Woodland Hills: “A great B&B;, 24 St. Alphonsus Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9, Ireland. Rate: 12 (about $19 U.S.) per person.”

England--Sidney H. Brown, Palm Springs: “For anyone who is in London and looking for a traditional British meal, try Jason Court restaurant, 76 Wigmore St., London W1H 9DQ, England.”

England--E.G. Bradley, Costa Mesa: “Wonderful walking tours of London for 3.50 led by John Muffty of Historical Tours, 3 Florence Road, South Croydon CR2 OPQ, England.”

Mexico--Doris and Harrison Stephens, Claremont: Enjoyed the Rosarito Beach Hotel, 17 miles south of Tijuana. “ A gorgeous beach, swiming pool, bar with live music, pleasant restaurant. Paid $60 U.S. midweek for an ocean-front suite.”

Mexico--Nina Murphy, Redondo Beach: “Lario’s restaurant in Mazatlan, one block from Mazatlan Artifacts Center. Best scampi we’ve ever eaten. Lunch with four beers: $30 U.S.”