Mirja Bishop of Los Angeles writes: “Several...

Mirja Bishop of Los Angeles writes: “Several years ago you wrote an article on the Untours that are arranged by Hal Taussig of Idyll. That was the beginning of a wonderful and continuing experience for my best friend and me. In June we will be returning for the fourth time to a tiny village in Switzerland called Kaiserstuhl--one of the many delightful villages where Idyll places people. For us, Kaiserstuhl has become a home away from home. What started out in 1988 as a different vacation has turned out to be a glorious time spent in an unspoiled country where we become part of the village and its people. As much as I hate to share this with others, I remind myself that if I hadn’t read your article, then Idyll would not have become part of our lives. So I hope you share this once again with your readers.”

Since that earlier story, we’ve updated our readers annually on Idyll. The Untour is designed for travelers wishing to escape the hassle of a guided tour. Instead of constantly packing/unpacking, they settle in chalets, farmhouses, cottages and apartments in Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Britain. During the day they travel by rail, bus and car, returning to their home base each evening.

Vacationers are met by an Idyll representative at the airport, delivered to their dwellings, briefed on train/bus schedules and provided with maps, rail passes. Besides accommodations, Idyll’s package includes round-trip air from the United States. Tours average three weeks. You set your own pace.

In the case of Mirja Bishop, she and her “best friend” (who happens to be her husband) have become honorary citizens of the little village they’ve adopted. “It has become another home for us,” says Bishop. “There are about a dozen chalets, one grocery store and a restaurant. It’s all by a lake surrounded by mountains so beautiful you have to pinch yourself to be sure you aren’t dreaming.”

This particular package (three weeks) costs $1,842 per person, including round-trip air fare from LAX, a rail pass, orientations on arrival by the Idyll staff, etc. Details on all Untours from Idyll, P.O. Box 405, Media, Pa. 19063. Call (215) 565-5242.

London/Ireland/the Continent: John Harper of North Hollywood wants to visit London, Ireland and possibly the Continent “without having to mortgage the house.” The weakened dollar is making independent travel expensive. Your best bet is a package tour. I checked with tour operators, found a four-day/three-night London trip for only $598. Includes the round-trip flight from LAX plus hotel/breakfast. Makes this the steal of the season. This offer is good through March 15. (Summer rate: $838.) Details from Legend Tours, 3990 Old Town Ave., Suite 100C, San Diego 92110, (800) 333-6114.

I also checked with Brendan Tours. They’ll put you up in London for a week during the high season for $668 (accommodations, breakfast, sightseeing). Go before March 30 and you’ll pay only $428, or about $60 a day. Air is extra.

Beginning in April, Brendan will be kicking off 11-day tours of London/Paris/Amsterdam for $1,058. The Van Nuys-based company will also be doing 10-day escorted tours of Ireland ($708/$738). Or there’s a do-it-yourself tour of Ireland for $45 a day in the high season, $38 in low season that includes a car/accommodations.

Your travel agent or Brendan Tours, 15137 Califa St., Van Nuys, Calif. 91411, (800) 421-8446.

More on Britain: Frames Rickards, the London tour operator, has a two-night London package ($290) that includes chauffeured transfers from Gatwick/Heathrow airports to London, plus breakfasts, sightseeing. For those wishing to travel out of the city, there’s a four-day trip to the south of England ($479). Visits to the Broadlands (the honeymoon home of Prince Charles), the Royal Pavilion in Brighton, a spin on an antique steam train and a trip to Calais and Dunkirk. Departures begin in May. Other tours to Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Continent.

Details from Frame Rickards’ U.S. representative, California Parlor Car Tours, 1101 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco 94109, (800) 227-4250 or (415) 474-7500. (Discounts for seniors.)

More on London: Globus-Gateway has a London tour priced at $425 ($668 during the high season) that features first-class hotels. Other bargain packages throughout Britain, Ireland, across the Continent. Call (800) 556-5454.

Bargains/France: Because of the weakened dollar, travelers visiting France are asking for help. We know of a five-day, four-night self-drive tour (car/accommodations) for $298 per person that’s offered by The French Experience. You have a choice of various regions: Normandy, the countryside around Paris, the Riviera, Provence, the Southwest/Dordogne, Alps.

One of 1991’s best bets is a cottage rental plan by The French Experience that focuses on France’s rural areas (“the charm of yesterday with the comforts of today”). Costs $400/$500 a week. A good plan for parents traveling with children. Properties in Provence, the Alps, the Dordogne, the Loire Valley, Burgundy, plus other destinations. But hurry. The French themselves take advantage of these inexpensive accommodations and they book early. Make reservations no latter than April.

Your travel agent or The French Experience, 370 Lexington Ave., New York 10017, (212) 986-3800. Brigitte Sayagh will answer your questions.

Paddlin’ Ol’ Miss: The Mississippi Queen kicks off her ’91 season next month with a series of Big Band concerts. On board will be the orchestras of Guy Lombardo, Sammy Kaye, Russ Morgan and Les Elgart with their new leaders. These will be three- and seven-night cruises. New Orleans to New Orleans, starting at $460. The Queen will be making calls at Baton Rouge, St. Francisville, Natchez, Vicksburg. Shore excursions will take in the gardens at Rosedown Plantation in St. Francisville (100-year-old azalea/camellia bushes), antebellum homes in Natchez. On board the old paddle wheeler, passengers will attend lectures, movies, craft classes. Departures starting Feb. 4.

Your travel agent or the Delta Queen Steamboat Co., Robin Street Wharf, New Orleans, La. 70130, (800) 543-1949.

Guest Ranches: A new issue of the Dude Rancher Directory lists 98 guest ranches, chiefly in Montana, Wyoming, Colorado. Copies available for $2 from the Dude Ranchers’ Assn., P.O. Box G471, Laporte, Colo. 80535. Meanwhile, a note from Frank Brophy of Vista Verde Guest & Ski Touring Ranch in Colorado’s Routt National Forest reminds vacationers that the ranch is open in winter. Hand-hewn log cabins, cross-country skiing, sleigh rides, snow shoeing. Rates: $70 a day (plus $30 for breakfast, lunch, dinner). Brophy’s 600-acre ranch is 25 miles north of Steamboat Springs, elevation 7,800 feet. Open year-round. Riding/fishing/hiking/biking/ballooning in summer.

Vista Verde Guest & Ski Touring Ranch, Box 465, Steamboat Springs, Colo. 80477, (800) 526-7433.

Reader Recommendations

California--Rosalie Evans, West Hollywood: “A charming B&B;, Chateau Victorian, 118 First St., Santa Cruz 95060. One block from the beach. Rates: $90/$120, breakfast, wine, snacks included.”

Louisiana--Jules D. Barnett, Long Beach: “My wife and I have just completed a most satisfying excursion into the Cajun country. The tour guides were a pleasure. Write to La Vie des Cajun, 4761 Highway 1, Raceland, La. 70394.”

Montana--Shirley Kraub, Thousands Oaks: “Willows Inn, 224 S. Platt Ave., Red Lodge, Mont. 59068. This is a delightful Victorian B&B; only an hour’s drive from Yellowstone Park. Five rooms at $45/$60 per night. Also a separate cottage with kitchen, living room, two bedrooms in a country motif, $55 for two.”

Ireland--Michael Goodrich, Seal Beach: Island Heights B&B;, Killarney Road, Castle Island, County Kerry. A half-hour drive to the Ring of Kerry. Proprietress served us hot apple crisp with ice cream, the best Irish coffee I have ever tasted. All this for about $18 per person.”

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.