With prices climbing both in the United...

With prices climbing both in the United States and overseas, American travelers are looking for bargains as never before. To encourage visitors, British Travel Associates has listed 50 hotels in London at rates of $50 or less per person. The schedule goes into effect Thursday. Includes breakfast, taxes, service. These hotels are in central London. Near underground/bus stops. Rooms must be booked a minimum of 20 days before departure from the United States. Minimum stays: three nights.

Contact British Travel Associates, P.O. Box 299, Elkton, Va. 22827, (800) 327-6097.

At Home in London: Four years ago, Londoner Maggie Dobson began enlisting a network of families (Kensington to Kew Gardens) to serve as bed and breakfast hosts in London after friends from abroad “despaired of finding a good place to stay in London without breaking the bank.” Her list has grown to 60 families. Hosts include a banker, an attorney, a jeweler, journalists, an interior designer. Dobson steers guests to homes that appeal to personal requests. And for something totally different, she’ll book you onto a houseboat moored on the Thames. Rates at these B&Bs; starting in January will begin at 18 single (about $36), 36 double, including booking fees, the usual full English breakfast.

Brochures from the British Tourist Authority, 350 S. Figueroa St., Suite 450, Los Angeles 90071, (213) 628-3525, or by writing to Dobson c/o At Home in London, 70 Black Lion Lane, London W6 9BE, England.

Passports: While the number of Americans who will be traveling overseas in ’91 is anyone’s guess, Sakae M. Hawley of the U.S. Passport Agency is encouraging travelers to apply for documents early. Her office gets crowded after Jan. 1. Long lines, long waits. Busy hours are noontime/late afternoon. Apply at the U.S. Passport Agency, 11000 Wilshire Blvd., 13th Floor, West Los Angeles. Hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. Applications are available at county courthouses, post offices. You’ll need proof of citizenship, a driver’s license, birth certificate, a couple of passport photos measuring two inches square.

For recorded instructions, call (213) 575-7070.

Roman Holiday: I continue to get inquiries about my favorite pension in Rome, the Scalinata di Spagna. Lorraine Adams of Fontana is the latest caller. Says she lost the address. Write to Scalinata di Spagna, Piazza Trinita dei Monte 17, 00187, Rome, Italy. The Scalinata is at the top of the Spanish Steps, directly across the piazza from the Hassler Hotel. Ten rooms. An excellent location, especially for shoppers. Several of Rome’s finest clothing stores do business in this area. American Express operates an office at the bottom of the Spanish Steps. A number of good restaurants nearby. Ask the proprietors of the Scalinata for restaurant/shopping recommendations. (Be sure to visit the roof garden. Stunning views of the city.) The Scalinata is within walking distance of Piazza Navonna, Rome’s loveliest square, as well as St. Peter’s, other attractions.

San Francisco: A glowing report from Kristin Schwarz of Villa Park about the Juliana Hotel in San Francisco: “On a recent trip, the Juliana provided all the extras to make my business trip more like a mini-vacation--things like a lighted makeup mirror and coffee makers in the room. Even limousine service to the Financial District. The hotel has a warm, homey feel--all the charm of a B&B; with the pluses of a hotel. I have a new home away from home.” Schwarz calls the Juliana the “perfect businesswoman’s hotel.”

I checked it out by telephone. It’s 1 1/2 blocks off Union Square, a block from Chinatown and a block from the Powell Street cable car that runs to Fisherman’s Wharf. Rates: $107 single/double, $135 for junior suites. Corporate rates: $95/$125, including complimentary wine each evening, continental breakfast.

The Juliana Hotel, 590 Bush St., San Francisco 94108. Call (415) 392-2540.

Scandinavia on the Cheap: Scandinavian Airlines has come up with several low-cost packages for the off-season. Now through May 15, a seven-day, round-trip flight to Copenhagen (hotel included) figures out to $795. Another one-week visit to Scandinavia features four nights in Copenhagen, a cruise to Oslo (dinners aboard ship), breakfasts daily and hydrofoil passage between Copenhagen and Malmo, Sweden. Price: $948. Other packages combine hotels in Bergen, Copenhagen, Odense, Oslo, Stavanger, Stockholm ($73 per night).

Call SAS at (800) 221-2351. Other details from the Scandinavian Tourist Board, 655 Third Ave., 18th Floor, New York 10017, (212) 949-2333. Ask for a copy of the booklet “Wonderful Copenhagen.”

Air to Europe: Round-trip flights to London this winter are being booked for $498 by Airseat/Afterhours Travel in West Hollywood. (Nearly as cheap as flying round trip to New York, without the hassle of advance-purchase requirements.) Others: $540 to Frankfurt and Brussels, $550 to Paris, $580 to Zurich, Berlin, Munich and Copenhagen, $650 to Lisbon, Madrid, Milan, Rome. Airseat books other flights to the South Pacific, the Orient, South America, Mexico. In the United States, destinations include New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Seattle, Hawaii.

In addition, Airseat is offering domestic/international discounted student fares. Airseat/Afterhours Travel, 7985 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 109-429, Los Angeles 90046, (213) 656-8443.

Reader Recommendations

California--Martha Mart, Beverly Hills: Enjoyed Shell Beach Motel, 653 Shell Beach Road, Pismo Beach. “Rates for a double: $45/$55. A real find!”

California--Joseph and Rose Pancia, Brea: Enjoyed Village Inn Bed & Breakfast, 407 El Camino Real, Arroyo Grande 93420. Rates: $85-$125.

California--Barbara and Roger Edelson, West Los Angeles: Praise for the Ballard Inn, 2436 Baseline Road, Ballard 93463. Rates: $135/$145 double.

New Hampshire--Rayle and Bud Mozur, Los Angeles: “An unexpected highlight of our drive during the fall foliage was the Nutmeg Inn, Pease Road, Meredith, N.H. 03253. A charmingly appointed, 18th-Century inn with eight units. Quiet area. Rates: $60/$85 double with an excellent breakfast.”

Oregon--Susann Monroe, Glendale: “For naturalists and theater buffs who visit Ashland: Every day starting at the main plaza, one-hour walking tours of the historic Victorian houses/theater areas. Commentary is lively. Cost: $5.”

Washington--Michael Vickers, Del Mar: “A tranquil, uncrowded gem, L’Aerie, Orcas Island, P.O. Box 1088, Eastsound, Wash. 98245. Rates: $75 nightly ($60 off-season). Stunning views of Eastsound, a sumptuous breakfast.”

Washington--Anna and Bob Hewitt, Marina del Rey: “A delightful B&B; close to Ballard Locks and downtown Seattle attractions. Hosted by Sue and Rick Gregor, 7301 Dibble N.W., Seattle, Wash. 98117. Rates: $45 double.”

England--Mary and Sheldon White, Burbank: “An unforgettable day during a personalized tour of the Cotswolds by private car with guide Ina Merriman, Thames Gardens, Charlbury, Oxford 0X7 3QH.”

Ireland--Ken Gaskell, Simi Valley: Enjoyed Edenlandia B&B;, School Road, Lahinch, County Clare, near Shannon. Rate: about $23 per person per night.

New Zealand--Elon and Wanda Yurwit, Studio City: “A B&B; called California House, 29 Collingwood St., Nelson, New Zealand. A beautiful 1893 Victorian mansion. Five spacious guest rooms. Proprietress Carole Glenn, an expatriate from Mendocino, is famous for her superb breakfasts. Rates: $60/$90.”

Australia--Jay J. Stemmer, Glendale: “A quiet two-bedroom, two-bath home with full kitchen, one block from the beach at Durham Court, 19-21 Clifford St., Surfers Paradise, Queensland, Australia. Rate: $50 double.”