TRAVELS WITH ALICE <i> by Calvin Trillin (Avon: $7.95)</i>

In these warmly funny recollections of places visited and meals eaten, Calvin Trillin contrasts European attitudes regarding travel with the American predilection for speed (“Americans drive across the country as if someone’s chasing them”). But Trillin prefers good food--especially good French and Italian food--to scenic vistas, and he goes to great lengths to find it. He seems to regard Provence, Sicily, Rome and various Caribbean islands as large-scale cafeterias, rather than geographic entities, and his contagious enthusiasm for the pleasures of fine olive oil, herbs, crusty bread, chevre, gelati etc. make “Travels” a book to read with a snack at hand.