What figures to be one of the...

What figures to be one of the season’s thriftiest buys is an overnight trip to Las Vegas, Sunday through Thursday, for $49.50. A brand-new package that includes round-trip transportation, hotel room at the Las Vegas Aladdin, a buffet lunch, breakfast, a booklet of discount coupons. Pickups in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Orange County. Buses arrive in Las Vegas at approximately 1 p.m., return to Los Angeles/Orange County the following afternoon. The two-day, one-night tour can be combined with an air/ground trip to Grand Canyon. (Add $20 for Friday/Saturday departures.)

For reservations, contact Ticketron offices or call (714) 634-1300 (Orange County), (213) 410-1062 (Los Angeles), (818) 763-9101 (San Fernando Valley). Bookings also available through travel agents.

More on Vegas: An 82-page guide to Las Vegas titled “What’s On in Las Vegas” tips readers on entertainment, lounge acts/shows, tennis, golf, gaming, theater/arts. Contains a calendar of events, a tipping guide. Names dozens of Las Vegas’ top restaurants as well as hotels with inexpensive buffets/brunches. Other sections list RV parks, a $1 trolley ride along the Strip (stops at all major hotels, casinos). Phone numbers for taxis/airlines, shopping malls. A seniors section features discounts on car rentals, airlines/hotels, shopping. For youngsters, the guide contains information on miniature golf, riding, circus acts, a petting zoo, arts/crafts. Side trips for visitors to Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Valley of Fire, Grand Canyon, Red Rock Canyon, Death Valley, Laughlin, Mt. Charleston, Spring Mountain Ranch.

Send $3 to “What’s On in Las Vegas,” 610 S. Third St., Las Vegas, Nev. 89101.

Inn on the Coast: Good reports about a new inn, the Gatehouse, on the Monterey Peninsula at Pacific Grove. A restored two-story Victorian (circa 1884). Eight rooms with private baths (clawfoot tubs), queen-size beds, down comforters. Loads of antiques. A few touches of Art Deco. One room features a Venetian chandelier. In another, guests snooze in a brass bed with inlaid mother-of-pearl. Wallpapered ceilings. Ocean views. One of those places that romantics head for on weekends (or use for a midweek hideaway). The Gatehouse is near Cannery Row. Tea, sherry, hors d’oeuvres served afternoons in the parlor. Buffet breakfasts (pastries, fruit, cereals, juice, quiche). The original owner of this old home was State Sen. Benjamin F. Langford. Novelist John Steinbeck was a frequent visitor. Plenty of history, old-fashioned warmth.

Gatehouse Inn, 225 Central Ave., Pacific Grove, Calif. 93950, (408) 649-8436. Rates: $95/$165.

On the Road: For the traveler looking for a dash of relaxing exercise next summer, Country Walkers figures it has the answer. The Vermont-based company specializes in leisurely tours for individuals, couples, families in Vermont/Maine. Four to nine miles a day. Other tours in Europe. Groups (14 to 18 persons) overnight in country inns, visit nature preserves, fishing villages. The goal is to “offer vacationers an enlightening experience in a tranquil setting,” says Bob Maynard, who operates Country Walkers with his wife Cindy. Two guides accompany each group. Luggage is transported inn-to-inn by van. A wide choice of tours. One begins at the famous Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vt. Another (on the coast of Maine) explores Penobscot Bay, features island walks.

Country Walkers, RR2, Box 754-P, Waterbury, Vt. 05676, (802) 244-1387.

Alaska: Here’s another choice for vacationers seeking serenity, open country. CampAlaska Tours offers hiking, rafting, canoeing, kayaking. A maximum of a dozen vacationers per group. These are six- to 28-day trips. Vacationers camp at state, provincial, national parks. A choice of 15 itineraries in Alaska/Western Canada. Prices from $525 for six days, $1,900/28 days. Departures from Seattle/Anchorage. Company founder Tim Adams says tours are designed for “active adults.” Season begins in early June, extends into mid-September.

CampAlaska Tours, P.O. Box 872247, Wasilla, Alaska 99687, (907) 376-9438.

Acapulco: Years ago, the late J. Paul Getty built a private hideaway for himself on Revolcadero Beach in Acapulco--the Pierre Marquis. Later, Getty opened the Pierre Marquis to the public and legions of vacationers claimed the resort as their own private playground. A new deal has been struck: Spend seven nights at the resort between now and March 30 and you get a double room with breakfast and dinner for $980 per couple, which figures out to $140 a day. Dine either at the Pierre Marquis or its sister hotel, the Acapulco Princess. (A shuttle runs between the two properties.) The Pierre Marquis is a 20-minute cab ride from downtown Acapulco, about five minutes from the airport. While the resort still retains the charm of a private estate, guests have access to a couple of 18-hole golf courses, tennis, eight swimming pools. Faces the ocean. A serene setting.

Ask your travel agent or call (800) 223-1818. For other information on Acapulco, contact the Mexican Government Tourism Office, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 224, Los Angeles 90067, (213) 203-8151.

Irish Pass: The Irish have come up with a new travel pass ($107 for 8 days, $157 for 15 days). A choice of bus or train. Or there’s an interchangeable pass that allows travel on both buses and trains ($139 for 8 days, $203 for 15 days). In addition, the Emerald Isle Card (introduced last year) is good for travel in both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland ($185 for 8 days, $315 for 15 days). Youngsters under 16 years are eligible for 50% discounts on all passes.

Advance-purchase sales by travel agents or call CIE Tours International at (800) 243-8687.

Airport Precautions: In these troubled times, the American Society of Travel Agents is offering tips to ease public concern over safety/congestion at the nation’s airports.

Early flight check-ins are recommended, even in the face of possible delays. Anita Galins of One Stop Travel in Brea suggests avoiding congestion by departing from smaller airports rather than LAX (Burbank, Long Beach, Ontario, Orange County).

Galins makes these other points:

--Consider traveling during off-peak hours when airports are less crowded.

--Never leave bags unattended and never carry items on board flights for strangers.

--Obtain a boarding pass when buying your ticket, which will enable you to proceed to a secured area immediately upon arrival at the airport.

--Only ticketed passengers are permitted beyond security gates.

--Cars left unattended at curbside at LAX will be towed away.

--Curbside check-in is being eliminated.

--Avoid wearing metallic jewelry or other items that could cause delays at X-ray stations.

Reader Recommendations

California--S.L. Scott, Woodland Hills: “New England-style B&B;, P.O. Box 982, Lake Arrowhead 92352-0982. Breakfast is extraordinary. Rates: $85/$105.”

Hawaii--Colette Lefton, Bell Canyon: “A lovely B&B; on the island of Kauai, Heart Song Inn, 4163 Waipua St., Kilauea, Hawaii 96754. Rates per night for two persons: $65.”

Canada--Mary McCormick, Santa Monica: “The Whyte House, 155 Rendall St., Victoria, B.C. V8V 1598.” (Brochure lists rates at about $50 single, $70 double in U.S. dollars.)

Brazil--Jim and Kay Gardner, Los Angeles: “The Rio Copa Hotel, Ave. Princesa Isabel No. 370, Copacabana Beach, Rio de Janeiro. Spacious rooms, superb meals. On the beach. Rates for a double room with private bath plus breakfast: $52.”

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.