Vacationers are donning goggles and scarfs on...

Vacationers are donning goggles and scarfs on Hawaii’s Big Island, where Classic Aviation Corp. is offering aerial hops in an open-cockpit biplane. (Something like Snoopy giving chase to the Red Baron.) The two-winger is a reproduction of a 1935 Waco biplane. An exact copy, but with modern electronic gear and other safety features. The plane flies out of Keahole Airport near Kailua-Kona. Carries two passengers ($95 each). These are 30-minute flights. Pilot Stuart Meriwether gives a running commentary over passenger headsets, pointing out landmarks visible only from the air. A new attraction for Big Island vacationers.

Contact Classic Aviation, P.O. Box 1899, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745. Telephone (808) 329-8687.

Painting in Paradise: A tour for painters (amateurs/professionals) on the Big Island is being led by Robert Althouse, a one-time Venice, Calif., art instructor. Althouse, president of Waimea Arts Council, delivers painters from their hotels by land cruiser to rain forests, volcanoes, valleys, fishing villages, black- sand beaches. Besides providing instruction, Althouse serves a picnic lunch. Groups are limited to six persons, with special instruction for beginners. Rate ($125) includes lunch, all materials (canvases, brushes, paints, easels, etc.).

Robert Althouse, Aloha Aina Art Tours, P.O. Box 2066, Kamuela, Hawaii 96743. Telephone (808) 885-6109.

Gift Certificates: Bon Voyage gift certificates for vacationers traveling to Britain can be ordered from a New York City agency. Redeemable for tickets to plays, comedy clubs, musicals, pop concerts, sports events in Britain. Priced from $23. Certificates can be exchanged at 39 London offices of Keith Prowse & Co. (The agency has allocations for more than 55,000 theater tickets a week in London.) Good for admission to the Royal Shakespeare Theater, Royal National Theater and all theaters in the West End.

Contact Keith Prowse & Co., 234 West 44th St., New York 10036. Telephone (800) 669-8687.

Soviet Union: Homestays in the Soviet Union are being promoted by Traveling Shoes of Laguna Beach. Features lodging, home-cooked meals, entertainment. A chance to exchange views with Russian hosts. Traveling Shoes president Darrylle Stafford says: “Our program is designed to break down barriers and build friendships.” Sightseeing in Leningrad/Moscow. Visits to Red Square, the Kremlin, Gorky Park and other attractions/destinations. Land arrangements for one week: $1,400. Departures July to December.

Traveling Shoes, P.O. Box 4410, Laguna Beach 92652. Telephone (714) 752-9036.

Inn Update: It’s that time of year again when innkeepers everywhere are updating guides to their B&Bs.; Latest report comes from a group in Colorado. Forty members list mountain lodges, historic homes, farmhouses. (No more than 10 guest rooms per inn.) The directory provides addresses, rates, descriptions of the individual inns, plus a map that pinpoints each property as well as Colorado Welcome Centers. Send $1 and a self-addressed envelope to Bed & Breakfast Innkeepers of Colorado, Dept. N, 1102 Pikes Peak Ave., Colorado Springs, Colo. 80904.

For a free copy of Colorado’s “1990 State Vacation Guide,” write to the Colorado Tourism Board, 1625 Broadway, Suite 1700, Denver, Colo. 80202, (303) 592-5510.

Hiker’s Holiday: For the traveler looking for a new vacation twist, here’s an opportunity to join a one-week walking tour of Canyon du Verdon in France (described as “combining the drama of Grand Canyon with the lush vegetation of Yellowstone”). Hikers are based at Hotel Le Relais in the village of Moustiers Sainte Marie in Provence (town dates from the 5th Century). Daily walks, four to six hours. Limited to no more than a dozen hikers, with an English-speaking guide. Great scenery. Picnic lunches. The eight-day, seven-night package ($918) includes a room with private bath, all meals, transfers from the airport in Nice.

Your travel agent or The French Experience, 370 Lexington Ave., New York 10017. Telephone (212) 986-1115.

Europe for the Footloose: For travelers weary of hotel life, an association of 91 family-occupied chateaux, manor homes and hunting lodges has the welcome mat out in Europe. Properties in France, Belgium, Portugal, Italy. Rates: $80 and up per night, including breakfast/taxes. Dinners (optional) in the $30 range. Owners personally welcome guests. Activities: tennis, riding, biking. There’s also a self-drive chateaux package. Four nights (including accommodations, a car, taxes, unlimited mileage) figures out to about $500 per person, double occupancy.

For a 75-page “Chateaux 1990” catalogue, see your travel agent or write to B&D; de Vogue International, P.O. Box 1998, Visalia, Calif. 93279. Telephone (800) 727-4748.

Mapped for Travel: For readers who have been requesting the name of a map company in the West Los Angeles area, try the California Map Center, Santa Monica. Stocks all kinds of maps as well as guides, atlases, language dictionaries, globes and travel accessories (passport wallets, money belts, electrical converters, electronic interpreters, fold-up umbrellas, travel irons, lightweight jackets, hats--even puzzles to work on during those long, wearying flights). This store has been in business for 50 years.

California Map Center, 3211 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica 90405. Telephone (213) 829-6277. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. Open Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

New Hampshire Inns: A group of innkeepers has joined forces to promote properties in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Lodging packages include discounts at more than 50 restaurants, shops, health clubs. All inns have been rated by AAA or Mobil. Colonial dwellings, New England farmhouses (four to 23 rooms). A choice of about 100 properties. The Cranmore Inn at North Conway Village has been welcoming guests since 1863. Other inns feature herb/vegetable gardens, antiques, English teas. For vacationers looking ahead to winter, ski areas are close by.

Call Mt. Washington Valley B&B; at (800) 383-9109.

Minnesota Guides: Nearly 650 Minnesota resorts are listed in a new 128-page guide that’s being offered free to vacationers. Contains addresses/telephone numbers of the individual resorts, plus details on fishing, hiking trails, etc. Other guides name more than 800 restaurants/cafes, hotels/motels throughout Minnesota. Prices, addresses, telephone numbers listed along with those of chambers of commerce across the state.

For copies of the three guides, call the Minnesota Office of Tourism toll-free at (800) 657-3700.

Reader Recommendations

California--Judie and Dick Kappes, Northridge: “Discovered a charming Victorian B&B;, Roseleith, 1415 Vine St., Paso Robles 93446. Three guest rooms furnished in elegant antiques. The innkeeper serves a delicious breakfast. Rates: $65/$95.”

Washington--Linda Aragon, Upland: “A great find for single women who love to travel is The Single’s Travel Newsletter. Published monthly . . . offers tips on traveling alone. Cost is $10 a year for monthly copies. Write to The Single’s Travel Newsletter, 14912 N.E. 249th St., Battleground, Wash. 98604.”

Alaska--Sharon and Ken McDaniel, Arroyo Grande: “A secluded wilderness lodge called Harmony Point, Box 110, Seldovia, Alaska 99663. On a pristine bay with otters and eagles; salmon and halibut fishing. Mountain bike rides to meadows and the river. Private cabins. Family-style meals. Lodging: $125 per person.”

England--Reg and Elizabeth Hill, Studio City: “A wonderful B&B; operated by Mr. and Mrs. Barry Jeffrey, Brymbo, Honeybourne Lane, Mickleton, Gloucestershire GL55 6PU. Three double rooms. Rates: about $20 U.S. per person.”