It’s called The Palace On Wheels. A...

It’s called The Palace On Wheels. A train that once served the maharajahs of India. Refurbished berths, crisp linens, baths with hot/cold running water. And only two persons per cabin (individual libraries/lounges). The Palace On Wheels operates two dining cars (continental/Indian cuisine). On-board postal, banking, laundry services. Departures from Delhi, with visits to Jaipur, Chittaurgarh, Udaipur, Jaiselmer, Jodhpur, Fatehpur Sur Sikri, Agra. Rates: seven days/nights, $175 per person daily (cabin, meals, sightseeing excursions). This popular train is usually sold out, so early reservations are recommended.

Your travel agent or India Tours Inc., 230 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60601, (800) 554-6342. Ask for Raju Ahmed.

The Great Escape: Ever get the desire to climb off the world and escape the pressure cooker? All the crowds, traffic, noise pollution? Here’s one solution: Look north to the Canadian Rockies. Tauck Tours is doing eight/nine-day trips by helicopter that spotlight individual mountain ranges in British Columbia (the Cariboos, the Bugaboos and the Bobbie Burns). Except for fellow passengers, you’re alone in a vast wilderness. No cars, no graffiti, no noise pollution. It’s another world--disturbed only by the voice of the wind. Accommodations with saunas, full-service bars. Outdoor decks for viewing one of those famous Canadian sunsets. No TVs at these lodges. Only a radio/telephone links guests with the world they left behind. Lots of outdoor activity. Hiking, visits to glaciers, verdant valleys. Sweet silence.

Your travel agent or Air Canada at (800) 776-3000. Rates: $1,750/$1,925.

Portugal: Travelers to Portugal can escape the crowds of Lisbon and action along the Algarve by zeroing in on villages to the north. Those beyond Porto and Viana do Castelo. They’re booking rooms in homes/estates built by aristocracy during Portugal’s salad days. Apartments/suites are up for grabs in these 17th- and 18th-Century mansions. A total of 10 estates. The homes are Portugal’s answer to the manor houses and stately homes of Britain. By day, guests tour the Costa Verde, ancient cities, the provinces of Minho and D’ouro. Superb wines with the meals to match. Rates on the estates can be obtained by dialing (800) 462-4486.

I have fond memories of Portugal. North or south. Makes no difference. Cascais, the colorful seaside resort outside Lisbon, is high on my list. Excellent restaurants. Dine outside on terraces with tables that face the beach, where fishermen repair their nets by day, launch their boats at dusk. With the dawn they return with catches that are sold on the beach.

For other details, contact the Portuguese National Tourist Office, 590 Fifth Ave., New York 10036, (212) 354-4403.

Channel Islands Cruise: Here’s a fun one-day outing--a cruise that leaves Santa Barbara in the morning, returns in the late afternoon. The ship explores waters surrounding the Channel Islands. Each time we mention these trips they sell out. Advance bookings are necessary. Lecturers describe highlights of the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Divers with video cameras relay pictures of underwater life. A barbecue lunch is part of the deal. Total tab: $65. (Children less than 12 years old, $35.) Departures at 8 a.m. from SEA Landing at Santa Barbara Harbor, with a 5 p.m. return. Dates: June 9, July 7, Aug. 18, Sept. 21, Oct. 20, Nov. 17. To book passage, call (805) 963-3564. Other details: (805) 966-7107. (Cruises are planned in conjunction with the Marine Technology Department at Santa Barbara City College. If weather cooperates, it’s a great experience.)

Making Tracks in Italy: Steam whistles will echo through the hills of Italy this summer as trains dating from the ‘20s deliver passengers to a couple of dozen castles/palaces in Italy’s northern province of Trentino. In a flashback to medieval times, costumed guides will lead groups through baronial chambers once occupied by Italian royalty. The province with its lakes, mountains, meadows is 100 miles north of Venice, 60 miles beyond Verona, where Romeo and Juliet met and spent the days of their love. Trains leave the town of Trento (only a whistle from Italy’s magnificent Dolomites) on Fridays/Sundays. The Friday trip features a medieval banquet at one of the castle stops. At $18 a head (the meal is extra), the one-day outing is a steal. Other castles are featured on a Sunday tour with lunch in a country restaurant.

Details from the Italian Government Travel Office, 360 Post St., Suite 801, San Francisco 94108, (415) 392-6206.

Mexico Explorers: Tom Miller and his wife Carol (co-authors of three books on Baja) have produced a new 400-page roadmap/guidebook that covers the west coast of Mexico, from the Arizona border to Guatemala. During two years on the road, the Millers gathered background on small towns/villages, beaches, mountain hideaways. Details on restaurants, little-known hotels, car insurance, road conditions, tourist permits, fishing licenses. In the back of the book, there’s an English/Spanish dictionary. Background on Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit, Jalisco, Colima, Michoacan, Guerrero, Oaxaca, Chiapas. This is an excellent guide for anyone planning an extensive trip down Mexico’s west coast. Few know the turf any better than the Millers.

Copies of the “Mexico West Book” (in bookstores soon) can be ordered from Baja Trail Publications, P.O. Box 6088-MW, Huntington Beach 92615, (714) 969-2252. Sells for $24.95 (plus 7% state tax). Mailed postage-free until Friday. After that add $4 for the mailing.

Massachusetts Guide: A new booklet by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism contains 104 color photos, a calendar of events, state and Boston subway maps, a fall foliage guide (foliage tours should be booked weeks in advance). Lists 450 attractions, beaches, downhill/cross-country skiing destinations, state forests, parks, national historic sites. Other information on airlines/airports, train/ferry service. Free copies of the “Massachusetts Guidebook” from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism, 100 Cambridge St., 13th Floor, Boston, Mass. 02202, (800) 447-6277.

Teen-age Bikers: Backroads Bicycle Touring of Berkeley is scheduling three unusual summer tours for teen-agers (ages 14-18). Groups will pedal from Eureka to San Francisco, covering more than 500 miles in 16 days. En route they’ll go rafting, sea kayaking, mountain biking at Point Reyes National Seashore and hiking among the redwoods on their way to San Francisco. Anyone who tires while bicycling can hitch a ride on a support van carrying the group’s luggage. Members will be given maps, safety helmets. Joining them will be three professional tour leaders.

Details from Backroads Bicycle Touring, 1516 5th St., Suite H110, Berkeley 94710-1740, (800) 245-3874. Request a copy of Backroads’ 70-page catalogue. Lists dozens of other biking adventures.

Reader Recommendations

Canada--Raymond Madrid, Los Angeles: Praises the Bed & Breakfast de Chez-Nous, 3717 Ste.-Famille, Montreal, Quebec H2X 2L7, (514) 845-7711. “Jacqueline Boulanger is a gracious, vivacious, apolitical hostess. Downtown. Daily rates: between $50 and $90.”

Netherlands--Wilfred G. Kraetzer, San Pedro: “Rooms with four beds, fantastic breakfast are $45 at Hotel Du Comerce, 64 Stationsplein, The Hague. Located across from the railroad station. Buses and streetcars at the door.”

California--Georgia Evans, Los Angeles: “We celebrated our anniversary at the charming Casa Laguna Inn in Laguna Beach. Our room, decorated with antique pieces, had a spectacular ocean view. For reservations, call (800) 233-0449.”

Hawaii--Pat Rhodes, Carson: “Spent four days at the charming Morningstar Meadow B&B;, P.O. Box 2396, Waimea (Kamuela), Big Island of Hawaii 96743. Paid $65. Hostess Dee Dickson is a delight and her breakfasts were memorable.”

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.