For those wishing to get away for...

For those wishing to get away for the holidays, The American Club in Kohler, Wis., goes all out at Thanksgiving/Christmas. The town resembles one of those little villages often seen on Christmas cards. Population: 1,750. Unhurried, friendly. Cross-country skiing, horse-drawn carriage rides. The hotel is the centerpiece of this small Midwestern town. During the holidays, thousands of little lights sparkle on trees outside its door. Inside it’s as snug as a down-filled comforter. Fires blaze in the Lincoln Room. Carols are sung in the library. Next Sunday, Dec. 1, marks the start of holiday afternoon teas. Later, a mistletoe brunch (Dec. 15) and the lighting of the Yule log. Come Christmas Eve, guests string popcorn and cranberries to decorate a huge tree in the library. Lots of caroling. On Christmas Day, the staff serves an Olde English Christmas dinner. Popular with families--or anyone else searching for the cheeriness of an old-fashioned Christmas dinner.

The American Club, Highland Drive, Kohler, Wis. 53044, (800) 344-2838. Rates: $112/$280 or ask about the club’s holiday package ($158 double) that features accommodations for two, breakfast, a $25 gift certificate.

Holiday Parking: Parking at LAX promises to be a nightmare during the holidays. Your best bet is to take a bus or cab. If you take your car, the cheapest parking is at Lot B, operated by the airport, 111th Street and La Cienega Boulevard ($5 for each 24 hours). Lot C, at 96th Street and Sepulveda Boulevard, charges $7 for 24 hours. (The first two hours are free at both lots along with free shuttle service to the airport.) Parking at the central lot at LAX costs a whopping $16 a day. Short-term meter parking on the lower level is 25 cents for 15 minutes. Prices vary at private lots/hotels. The Stouffer offers seven days of free parking to guests staying at the hotel the night before their flight. For a discount card at Auto Air Porter, a private lot at 2222 E. Imperial Highway, call (800) 752-3339.

During the holidays, be sure to get to LAX early. Otherwise you could miss your flight when traffic entering the airport often comes to a standstill. As you near LAX, tune your car radio to AM 530 for the latest parking information or call (310) 646-5252 before leaving home.

For information on other private lots, call the Car Barn at (310) 642-0900, Wally Park at (310) 337-1944 and Airport Valet at (310) 216-6110.

Mexico City: Louise O’Neal of Pomona asks for “the name of a small hotel in Mexico City.” I favor the little De Cortez, Ave. Hidalgo No. 85. Just across the street from Alameda Park. Overlooks a garden patio with a fountain. Potted plants scattered across the cobbled courtyard with its outdoor dining (a fiesta on Saturday nights). Guests awaken to the bells of the churches of San Hipolito and Santa Veracruz. The hotel (200 years old) is a national monument. As a result, not a single cobble can be removed without official approval. A hideaway favored by politicians/celebrities. Twenty-nine rooms. Rates: $60/$85 double. The De Cortez operates at near 100% capacity, so book early.

Other information from your travel agent or the Mexican Government Tourism Office, 10100 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 224, Los Angeles 90067, (213) 203-8191. Additional details on hotels/tours from Mexico Travel Advisors, 1717 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles 90028.

On the Road in Mexico: Another Southern Californian planning a Mexico visit wants a suggestion “for a side trip outside Acapulco.” Drive (or take the bus) to Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo. You can do the trip, there and back, in a day. But I suggest spending the night. Ixtapa has some slick hotels, an excellent beach, a golf course. All the trappings of a major resort. Zihuatanejo is more relaxed, an ancient village with a nice beach, pretty sunsets. On my first visit, the streets were unpaved. Every time a car took off it kicked up a dust storm. Now all that’s changed. The streets are paved. New shops, restaurants. I enjoy the old Hotel Sotavento. Nothing fancy, but you feel you’re in old Mexico. One night I lay in a hammock looking up at the Milky Way. The moon was new and the Big Dipper branded the sky. Waves rolled onto the sands at Playa la Ropa. I spoke to the hombre in charge of the hotel.

“What is there to do in town?” I asked.

He smiled, amused by the question. “Nothing,” he said. “Absolutely nothing.”

Well, all that’s changed of course. Now there are lively cantinas and such. Still, Zihuatanejo remains a wonderful place to relax. Take one of the little boats across the bay to Las Gatas, where barbecues are prepared on the beach. No traffic, safe swimming. It’s another world. Your travel agent or the Mexican Government Tourism Office.

Potpourri: An item in last week’s Travel Tips incorrectly listed turtle steaks as a specialty in Key West, Fla., restaurants. Because turtles are considered an endangered species, the meat is no longer served anywhere in the United States, including Key West . . . One of winter’s best buys is travel to Amsterdam for as little as $55 for accommodations for two nights (based on double occupancy), a free sightseeing tour, discounts at restaurants/museums. Contact the Netherlands Board of Tourism at (213) 678-8802 . . . Travel writer Stephen Birnbaum will autograph copies of his guidebooks at the Dec. 10 opening of the new Traveler’s Bookcase store, 8375 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood, (213) 655-0575. Hundreds of travel books, maps, travel accessories . . . After years in Northern California, the company known as In The English Manor (specializes in rentals of English flats in London/guest stays at country estates) has opened offices in Los Angeles at 900 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 830, (213) 629-1811 . . . A Spanish-language class (six hours daily) is operating year-round ($130 per week), with housing/meals with a Mexican family ($15 daily) through IDEAL, APARTADO POSTAL 22-B, C.P. 62190, CUERNAVACA, MORELOS, MEXICO.

Reader Recommendations

California--Mrs. Myrna Meyer, Pasadena: “A B&B; called the Gateway, 34 El Monte Way, Napa 94559. Pool, contemporary interior design. Rates: $85/$110.50.”

Louisiana--John and Betty Ann Safarik, Manhattan Beach: “The Wingard, 1014 Jackson St., New Orleans 70130. We had spacious accommodations in this B&B; (four adults) for $100 a night.”

New Mexico--Lisa Pagliuso, La Crescenta: “Casa de Patron B&B;, P.O. Box 27, Lincoln 88338. On the scenic route to Carlsbad Caverns. Rates: $65/$90.”

New York--Pat and Stan Blaustein, Manhattan Beach: “Abode Bed & Breakfast Ltd., P.O. Box 20022, New York 10028, has both hosted and unhosted apartments. Great service. We were very pleased.”

North Carolina--Gerry and Al Straus, Whittier: “Applewood Manor, 62 Cumberland Circle, Asheville 28801. Rates: $70/$90.”

Virginia--Florence and Gill Deford, Los Angeles: “Goose Call B&B;, Route 3, Box 38, Earlysville, Va. 22936. Rates: $68 double, including breakfast.”

Germany--Clifford and Enid Frohmberg, Orange: “The Deggendorf Park Hotel, Edlmairstrasse 4, 8360 Deggendorf, Germany. A real treasure. Opened just six months ago. A double room with breakfast, $102.”

Belgium--Dick and Judie Kappes, Northridge: “A delightful bed and breakfast in an old farmhouse, Ferme du Quartier, 504 Bouge, Namur, Belgium. Rates: $38 double, including breakfast.”

England--Roberta Creed, Fillmore: “Anyone interested in the culture/history of Europe should try a Plantagenet tour with Peter Gravegaard, 85 The Grove, Moordown, Bournemouth BH9 2TY.”

Ireland--Barbara and Tom Gibbons, Port Hueneme: “Dun Roamin’ B&B;, 30 Beach Court, Grattan Road, Galway. Approximately $20 per person.”

British West Indies--Edward H. Sanderson, Studio City: “A fabulous hideaway called Cliff House Apartments on Little Apple Bay, Tortola. Friendly manager. Rates: $700 per week, Dec. 15 to April 15; $350, April 16 to Dec. 14.”

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.