If you’re sailing to the Caribbean, Alaska,...

If you’re sailing to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, the South Seas or Europe, Larry Fishkin says he can save you money. An ex-travel agent, Fishkin books cruises from his Miami base. (Fishkin is president of The Cruise Line, Inc., one of the nation’s leading discount companies.) Savings of $600 to $1,800 per cabin. Currently, several 2-for-1 cruises on the books. Sailings to the South Seas aboard the Island Princess (October/November), the Pacific Princess to the Amazon (November/December), the Stella Solaris to South America (January/February). With nine new ships debuting this year, Fishkin’s listings are growing. The company publishes a 12-page booklet titled “World of Cruising.” Free copies by dialing (800) 777-0707.

English Canal Cruises: Willow Wren Cruising Holidays of Rugby, England, is offering five- /seven-day cruises the length and breadth of England/South Wales by way of Britain’s ancient canals. Passengers join up at various towns en route. Sightseeing in Chester, Worcester, Stratford, Oxford, as well as other cities/towns. The “hotelboats” provide compact single/twin cabins equipped with comforters, wash basins, storage space, etc. Meals prepared on board. Eight/10 guests per cruise. Prices from $550 per passenger.

Details from Wilson & Lake International, 468 B St., Suite 3, Ashland, Ore. 97520, (800) 545-5228. Note: Final cruise of ’91 is Oct. 19.

Reader Warning: Doyce B. Nunis, Jr. of Los Angeles writes: “As a senior citizen on my first trip to Spain, I was mugged and robbed in Madrid, as was my traveling companion. About 15 yards away were two security guards who shrugged and turned away when we cried for help. After canceling credit cards and traveler’s checks, I went to the U.S. Embassy to obtain a new passport. There were 12 other Americans in need of the same. All were mugged/robbed that weekend. Their stories varied. But one thing was clear: The victims were either women or seniors. Three young women were mugged and robbed by five men who pulled knives. There are other tales equally valid of muggings and robberies in Madrid and other places in Spain. In Seville, our tour guide told us that in one day there were more than 800 muggings and robberies reported to the police. This is a warning to anyone planning a trip to Spain.”

Car Rentals: Connex, the European car company, has some unbeatable prices. A Fiat rental comes to only $99 in Germany/$112 in Britain for a full week (unlimited mileage). Opels, Fords rent for $119/$133 in Germany, $133/$165 in Britain. Free drop-off centers in the U.K. as far north as Glasgow and Aberdeen. Connex’s motorists are provided Royal Auto Club assistance (emergency repairs, information service). Connex offers cut-rate prices for minivans/luxury cars, as well as automobiles for disabled drivers. For details on rentals before leaving the United States, call Connex at (800) 333-3949.

Week’s Giveaway: Alitalia is offering free copies of the airline’s in-flight magazine, “Ulisse 2000.” A slick publication that spotlights 105 destinations worldwide. Cities/towns/villages/resorts in Europe, the Orient, Australia, South America, the United States. Recent articles on the New York Ballet, Christopher Columbus, the Italian region of Veneto, “The David of Michelangelo,” Warsaw, Florida. A provocative piece titled “The Power of Women” appears in the August magazine. The August issue also contains a profile on author Saul Bellow and a travel essay on the popular Campania area of Italy. Other articles on the theater, dance, auto rentals, art, science. Authors include ABC news anchorman Peter Jennings. The airline publishes six issues of “Ulisse 2000” a year. For a free copy (copies), write to Alitalia, 6151 W. Century Blvd., Los Angeles 90045.

Antique Buffs: Joanna Faber, a “country French” furniture dealer in Westport, Conn., is planning an excursion for antique buffs to shops/flea markets in the Provence region of France. Eight days of antiquing, shopping, touring. Besides discovering antiques, Faber’s group will visit a variety of markets offering local products. The itinerary includes a visit to St. Remy, where Vincent Van Gogh turned out several of his famous paintings. Other stops in the medieval village of Les Baux de Provence, Avignon and the villages of the Luberon Valley. Items bought will be packed, shipped home. Faber has made more than 40 trips to France.

Contact Faber c/o Parc Monceau, 18 Riverside Ave., Westport, Conn. 06880, (203) 227-8887.

More on Italy: A Tuscan town south of Siena is the home base for a series of bicycling vacations in Italy. A choice of seven/14 nights. Visits to ancient vineyards/villages. Bikers gather in Pienza (about 35 miles southeast of Siena). The tour takes in the hilltop towns of Montepulciano (excellent red wines, collections of priceless Sienese paintings). Other visits to the Monastery of Sant’Anna in Caprena, a convent dating from 1313, a museum containing Sienese paintings in Buonconvento, a Roman spa in Bagno Vignoni and a monastery founded in 781 by Charlemagne. Usually a two-night stop at each hotel. Meals feature homemade pastas with wild mushrooms, wild boar, gnocchi, polenta, almond biscuits, bean dishes. Accommodations in small, family-operated hotels. (No discos, no noisy bars to distract from the homeyness of these gentle shelters.) Bikers make stops for wine/cheese in Montalcino, Asciano and other Tuscan villages. Opportunities to overnight in a wildlife park (open only to hikers, bicyclists and vacationers on horseback). Cyclists are met in Rome, delivered by coach to Pienza for a two-night rest after their transatlantic crossing. Bicycles, maps, a guide provided.

Fresco Cycling Holidays, 2801 Turk Blvd., No. 306, San Francisco 94118, (415) 386-8266. Prices from $755 for seven nights to $1,180 for 14 nights.

Olympic Update: If you’re planning to attend the 1992 Winter Olympics in France or the Summer Olympics in Spain, Olson-Travelworld is the exclusive ticket agent (authorized by the U.S. Olympic Committee). The Winter Games will be held Feb. 8-23 in the French Alps at Albertsville, sight of the first Winter Olympics in 1924. Travelworld has put together a variety of 12- to 18-day packages. In Spain, the Summer Olympics in Barcelona will be held July 25 to Aug. 9. The beach resorts along the Costa Brava north of Barcelona and the Costa Dorada to the south promise the most reasonable accommodations. Olson-Travelworld will run shuttles between hotels/inns both in France/Spain. Although the Games are months away, tickets and hotel reservations should be booked now.

Free brochures, other details from Olson-Travelworld: (800) 874-1992.

Reader Recommendations

Washington--Ron Mason, Los Angeles: “Quimper Inn, 1306 Franklin St., Port Townsend, Wash. 98368. Rates: $65/$120. In a wonderful Victorian town frozen in time.”

Indiana--Nancy Bernatz, Anaheim: “Sally and Ken McMillan’s Main St. B&B;, 739 Main St., Madison, Ind. 47250. Hoosier hospitality in an antebellum atmosphere. Rates: $72.50.”

Tennessee--Linda Morley, Los Angeles: “Fifteen minutes from the Civil War battlefield at Shiloh, the Ross House, P.O. Box 398, Savannah, Tenn. 38372. Rates: $65/$75.”

New York--Sylvia and Dick Ostronik, San Gabriel: “Sunset House, 4228 Lower River Road, Lewiston, N.Y. 14092. A lovely old home on the Niagara River. Rates: $65.”

England--Len Maffioli, Murrieta: “A Georgian stone farmhouse in the Sherwood Forest, Norton Grange Farm, Norton, Cuckney, Nottinghamshire NG20 9LP. Rates: about $50.”

Costa Rica--Robert Vinson, West Hollywood: “Glade and Pat Murchison operate a four-room, chalet-type guest house called Park Place, San Antonio, Escazu, Apdo. 1012, Costa Rica. Rates: $35, including a continental breakfast. The hosts are two former residents of the Palm Springs area.”

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.