The funky old mining town of Telluride,...

The funky old mining town of Telluride, Colo., has come up with one of the season’s best bets for skiers. A one-week package for $619. (Add $17, Feb. 3-March 30.) Includes lodging in a B&B; (seven nights), lift tickets (six days), round-trip air from LAX (connections from San Diego, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs). This is a per-person price based on double occupancy. Higher rates for lodges/condominiums. SkyWest flights leave LAX twice weekly (Wednesdays/Saturdays). Telluride (featured in Travel last Sept. 16) is set in Colorado’s spectacular San Juan Mountains. Only a 10-minute drive from the airport. Lining Main Street are Victorian inns, hotels, shops, restaurants. A shuttle bus carries skiers to mountain slopes laced with runs.

To book flights/accommodations, call Telluride Central Reservations at (800) 525-3455. Other details from the Telluride Ski Resort, P.O. Box 11155, Telluride, Colo. 81435, (303) 728-3856.

Canada on a Shoestring: B.N. of Ojai is interested in “inexpensive flights to Toronto.” American Airlines will fly you round trip for $259 (seven-day advance purchase through Feb. 26). American’s other rates: $286 with a 21-day advance purchase (good through Feb. 28) and $306, beginning Friday through March 16 (purchase necessary by Jan. 31). A series of cost-saving air fares is being offered by Air Canada on its North American routes. Up to 74% off regular round-trip economy prices. Example: round trip LAX/Toronto, $306, as opposed to a regular economy fare of $980. Or you can fly to Calgary for $212 for a saving of more than $300. These and other Air Canada promotional fares will be in effect until March 16 (reservations necessary by Jan. 31). An additional 10% saving is offered to Air Canada passengers 62 years or older in connection with a mature traveler plan. Restrictions include a minimum stopover of one Sunday, a maximum stay of 30 days.

Contact your travel agent, American Airlines at (800) 433-7300 or Air Canada at (800) 776-3000.

Boston on a Budget: Bingo. Boston’s oldest hotel, the Copley Square, is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a $45 package that includes a room for two, a full breakfast daily, free parking. Hard to beat in a town where a single in most major hotels starts at about $100. Rooms feature coffee/tea makers, hair dryers, safes. The Copley has been spiffed up for its anniversary celebration. “Everything’s up to date except the rates,” says management. Besides $45 doubles, suites have been marked down to $100 (two bedrooms with a connecting bath). A good buy for couples with children. In a time of soaring prices, the Copley’s rates are hard to beat. A fine location (faces Prudential Center at Copley Place with its shopping mall).

Copley Square Hotel, 47 Huntington Ave. at Copley Place, Boston, Mass. 02116, (800) 225-7062.

New Zealand: Free copies of the 66-page “New Zealand Outdoor Holidays Magazine” are still available, along with the 80-page “New Zealand Book.” Helpful items on both the North/South islands. “New Zealand Book” contains notes on car rentals, camper-vans, bus/train travel, river cruises aboard paddle wheelers. Other pages devoted to maps, color photos (a stunning picture of the shoreline from White Cliffs Walkway at Taranaki on the North Island). Datelines: Auckland, Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, East Cape, Hawke’s Bay, Tongariro, Wellington, Marlborough, Aorangi/Canterbury, Christchurch, Queenstown. Dozens of adventure tour operators are listed along with toll-free numbers of airlines serving New Zealand (Qantas, American, Continental, Air New Zealand, Hawaiian, UTA, United).

Copies from the New Zealand Tourism & Publicity Office, 501 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 300, Santa Monica 90401, (213) 395-7480.

Safe Travel: Consumer writer Jack Adler has co-authored a 240-page paperback titled “Travel Safety.” With anti-terrorist authority Thomas C. Tomkins, Adler discusses protection of money/credit cards, stolen/lost luggage, health insurance, securing your home while on holiday, airport safety, shore excursions, cruises, train/motor-coach travel, sightseeing, U.S. embassies/consulate services. Other chapters deal with the black market, hijackers/terrorists, money-changers, pickpockets/purse snatchers, smoke alarms, ticket scams, counterfeit goods.

“Travel Safety” is available at your bookstore or from the publisher, Hippocrene Books, 171 Madison Ave., New York 10016. Price: $8.95 (plus postage).

Dining/New Orleans: With the annual Mardi Gras high jinks fast approaching, readers are requesting the names of restaurants. Here are several that we’ve enjoyed:

--The Commander’s Palace, 1403 Washington Ave. Seafood/Creole specialties served in a splendid Victorian mansion in the Garden District. Call (504) 899-8221.

--K-Paul’s Louisiana Kitchen, 416 Chartres St. Famous for its Cajun-style cooking. Call (504) 942-7500.

--Cafe Sbisa, 1011 Decatur St., is a splendid little restaurant not far from the Mississippi. Creole cuisine, Sunday brunches. Call (504) 561-8354.

--Le Bistro, 733 Rue Toulouse. A new discovery operated in conjunction with Hotel Maison de Ville. Seafood specialties, pasta, chicken, veal, lamb, quail, duck. Call (504) 528-9206.

--Arnaud’s, 813 Rue Bienville. Excellent French/Creole cuisine. Sunday brunch. Call (504) 523-5433.

--Antoine’s, 713 St. Louis St. A huge menu with dozens of choice entrees. Another landmark restaurant. Call (504) 581-4422.

For a listing of other restaurants, write to the Greater New Orleans Tourist & Convention Commission, 1520 Sugar Bowl Drive, New Orleans, La. 70112. Or call (504) 566-5068.

Lodging details from the Greater New Orleans Hotel & Motel Assn., 330 Exchange Alley, New Orleans 70130. Call (504) 525-2264.

Touring D.C.: A new booklet published by the Washington, D.C., Convention & Visitor’s Assn. is filled with tips on driving, airports, railroads, buses, taxis serving the nation’s capital, a listing of attractions. Details on weather, parks, Georgetown, Foggy Bottom, Anacostia. A helpful centerfold map pinpoints major attractions. Free copies of “Attractions & Tours” from the Washington, D.C., Convention & Visitor’s Assn., Tourist Information, 1212 New York Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20005. Call (202) 789-7000.

Country Inns: Three of my favorite country inns have been selected as “top inns of 1990” by the prestigious Country Inns magazine. They are:

--Glendeven Inn & Gallery, 8221 North Highway 1, Little River, Calif. 95456, (707) 937-0083. Five rooms in a wonderful old Victorian. Others in a renovated barn and a new cottage. On the Mendocino Coast. Rates from $70.

--Old Monterey Inn, 500 Martin St., Monterey, Calif. 93940, (408) 375-8284. A half-timbered house with canopied beds, private baths, a magnificent garden. Rates from $140.

--The Inn at Sawmill Farm, P.O. Box 367, Mt. Snow Valley, West Dover, Vt. 05356, (802) 464-8131. Guests are accommodated in an old farmhouse, individual cottages. Loads of warmth, country atmosphere. Rates from $290.

Country Inns publishes six issues annually ($15): P.O. Box 457, Mount Morris, Ill. 61054. Features the nation’s top inns, dining, recipes.

Reader Recommendations

California--Steve and Barbara Gerry, Garden Grove: “Our best-kept secret is the Beach House, 6360 Moonstone Beach, Cambria 94328. What a place for a honeymoon or an anniversary. Hearst Castle is five minutes north. Rates: $100/$130.”

New Mexico--Bob and Ruth Teutsch, Oceanside: “A B&B; operated by Lucy and Jimmy Nolan, 101 N. Cooper St., Silver City, N.M. 88061. Rates: $40/$55 per room.”

England--Donnetta Spink, Arleta: “Haydon House, 9 Bloomfield Park, Bath BA2 2BY. Lovely, tastefully furnished rooms. Rates: $67 double with private shower, breakfast.”