Chris Chown writes from Scotland: “I wanted...

Chris Chown writes from Scotland: “I wanted to tell you about a new venture my wife and I started this year. Our objective is to give a totally relaxing holiday to anyone who would like to visit Scotland for whatever reason--golf, fishing, sightseeing, visiting castles, palaces or even distilleries--but who does not want the headaches of organizing. All guests stay with us in our home and we do all the organizing, all the catering and driving. Our home is near Perth (less than an hour from Edinburgh), with 30 golf courses close by.”

Chown offers to “collect visitors” at Edinburgh or Glasgow airports, prepare “enormous” breakfasts, picnic lunches and other meals as well as drinks (“even a Harvey Wallbanger or two!”). Hosts up to six guests at about 65 ($131) per couple per day.

Chris Chown, Wester Lumbennie, Newburgh, Fife KY14 6EX, Scotland.

London Apartment: For readers looking for apartments in London, here’s one that’s recommended in fashionable Mayfair: features a kitchen, living room, two bedrooms, two baths, extra sleeping sofas (accommodations for up to three couples). Normally rents by the week, but can be booked for shorter periods. Just off Berkeley Square, overlooking gardens, town houses. A short walk to the Dorchester Hotel, the Connaught, Claridge’s, Brown’s, Hyde/Green parks, Oxford/Bond/Regent streets, Piccadilly Circus. Daily maid service, central heat, color TV, direct-dial telephone (plus a 24-hour switchboard to collect calls while occupants are away). For the businessman: telex-fax facilities. Rate: 180 per day.

Contact King Associates, 50 Sutton Place S., New York 10022, (212) 759-8133.

Britfrance Railpass: New for ‘91: A pass good for unlimited travel on the rail networks of both Britain/France for periods of five to 10 days. Besides the railpass, travelers are given a round-trip ticket by Hovercraft across the English Channel. Prices range from $249 for a five-day economy-class pass to $375 for 10 days. Youth passes: $199/$299. Details from BritRail, 1500 Broadway, 10th Floor, New York 10036-4015, (800) 677-8585.

Meanwhile, although crews boring the new Eurotunnel between France and England have met, the tunnel isn’t scheduled to open to the public until June, 1993. During the next 2 1/2 years, crews will be reinforcing walls, installing rail lines. With the opening in ‘93, travel time between Calais and Dover will be 35 minutes. Departures every 20 minutes during the day, hourly at night.

Hawaii: Casey Evans of La Habra asks if Hawaii’s Moana Hotel is still in business. Indeed, and its fame is spreading. The Moana underwent a 20-month, $50-million face lift nearly two years ago. This was Waikiki’s first hotel (opened in 1901). For 40 years it was home to the old “Hawaii Calls” radio show. With the renovation, the Moana is rated as one of Hawaii’s leading hotels. Teakwood floors, tasteful furnishings, fine dining in the Ship’s Tavern restaurant. The Moana’s impressive three-story, Ionic-columned Porte Cochere faces Kalakaua Avenue. Only a short walk from the Sheraton Royal Hawaiian. In the Banyan Court (beneath the Moana’s famous banyan tree), musicians still perform each evening. The perfect spot for watching one of those stunning Hawaiian sunsets.

Sheraton Moana Surfrider, 2365 Kalakaua Ave., Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, (800) 678-8946 or (808) 922-3111. Rates: $185/$285.

For Dreamers: If you get the urge to go for broke on your next vacation, consider the new Wakaya Club in Fiji (the newest rage in the South Seas). One of those spots created for the rich and famous. If you’re traveling alone, they’ll put you up for $675 a day. But who wants to go it alone on a romantic island? Doubles go for $875 a day (accommodations, meals, drinks, activities). An air taxi delivers you to Wakaya from Nadi (about a 35-minute trip). This is the ultimate hideaway. A 2,200-acre island with eight thatch-roof bungalows, 30 white-sand beaches. Magnificent sunsets. Bungalows face a lagoon like those seen on South Seas calendars. Wakaya is similar in respects to Fiji’s Matagi Island (profiled in the October issue of Traveling in Style by David L. Kirp). Vacationers snorkle, windsurf, stroll on the reef, play tennis/croquet. With 30 beaches, couples can be totally alone. At night, an umbrella of stars lights up the heavens. The island is shared by rare birds, fallow deer, horses. If you’re turned off by ocean bathing, there’s a pool with a waterfall. The chef serves up fresh fish, organic vegetables/fruits harvested on the island.

The Wakaya Club, P.O. Box 15424, Ground Floor, Civic House, Suva, Fiji. Details from Wakaya Ltd., 450 Park Ave., Suite 2100, New York 10022, (212) 644-7100.

Austria: Marcia Connors of Lancaster asks about the White Horse Inn in Austria’s storybook village of St. Wolfgang. Although the White Horse is St. Wolfgang’s best-known hotel (immortalized in the comedy “Im Weissen Rossl Am Wolfgang See”), more than 50 other hotels/inns provide shelter in St. Wolfgang, many with excellent views, lower rates. For details, contact the Austrian National Tourist Office, 11601 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 2480, Los Angeles 90025, (213) 477-3332. A few statistics: St. Wolfgang is a maze of twisting streets and chalets. Faces one of Austria’s loveliest lakes, the Wolfgang See. Winter activities: skating, tobogganing, skiing. A cog railroad delivers visitors up the Schafberg, a 5,850-foot peak with a hotel at the very top (provides a sweeping view of 13 lakes, including the Wolfgang See, the awesome Berchtesgaden Alps). If you’re turned on by oompah bands, Alpine peaks and suffer a weakness for Austrian beer/wine, you’ll get a glow in St. Wolfgang.

Reader Recommendations

Hawaii--Victoria Wright, Torrance: “The Winklers’ Bed & Breakfast, P.O. Box 636, Kilauea, Kauai, Hawaii 96754. Rates: $60 single/double. A very special, charming place. The valley view is unspeakably peaceful and beautiful. The house is remodeled. Also, a brand-new private bath.”

Idaho--Mr. and Mrs. Hamer Budge, Palm Desert: “The Idaho Country Inn Bed & Breakfast, Box 2355, Sun Valley, Ida. 83353. A delightful place. Rates: $115/$145.”

Louisiana--Kenneth A. Manire, Marina del Rey: “My wife, sister-in-law and I had the most incredible meal at Alex Patout’s Restaurant, 221 Royal St., New Orleans. A block and a half off Canal Street and a block from Bourbon Street. The bill for the three of us was a modest $73.37 without alcoholic beverages.”

Oregon--David A. Sacks, Los Alamitos: “Country Willows Inn, 1313 Clay St., Ashland, Ore. 97520. Beautiful rural setting overlooking the Rogue Valley. Gourmet breakfasts. Rates: $75/$135 double occupancy.”

Canada--Roy Johnson, Laguna Niguel: “For a really pleasurable experience, don’t miss the Cedars B&B;, 678-176th St. (Pacific Highway), Surrey, B.C., Canada V3S 5J9. In a tranquil area, 3 1/2 miles north of the U.S. border. Prices: $50 double, including a breakfast you won’t forget.”

Poland--Jo-Ann Winnik, Encino: “A charming guest house/cafe called Ewelina Bartosiewicz, Galeria Sztuki, Kawiarnia Ewelina, Naleczow al, Lipowa 16. Filled with magnificent pre-World War II antiques. Three meals daily, private bath. Approximately $20 per night.”

France--The Rev. Moffet family, La Verne: “Royal Hotel, 7 Rue du Colisee, 75008 Paris. Twenty-one rooms with private bath/shower. One-half block off the Champs-Elysees near the Arc de Triomphe. Owner Louis Virgitti goes out of his way to make you feel welcome. Rates: about $56-$70 per night.

Italy--Marty Delman, Los Angeles: Enjoyed the London Hotel in Mila (Via Rovello 3, 20121). “Small, with English-speaking family ownership. Rate: approximately $80. The hotel adjoins restaurant Opera Prima (elegant, expensive, great).”

Ireland--Carolyn Y. Raps, San Diego: “Avonlea B&B;, Clonroad, Ennis, County Clare. About four blocks to the town center near Shannon Airport. Rate: about $20 per person double, $26 single.”

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.