Got a Favorite Destination? It May Have a Newsletter : Publications: They’re mostly monthlies, for readers interested in specific countries, cities.

The travel newsletter business continues to boom, with nearly 200 such publications now circulating in North America. They offer facts and opinions on subjects from Mexico to Germany, gay travel to railroads, and can be a prime source of fresh information for travelers with special interests. But these enterprises also suffer a high mortality rate, and subscribing sometimes can seem a large leap of faith.

This column offers a sampling of newsletters with track records--all listed here have published since at least 1992--that focus on specific geographic destinations. (Last week’s column listed a sampling of special-interest travel newsletters, from the Consumer Reports Travel Letter to the International Railway Traveler.)

Most newsletters are 8 1/2-by-11 inches, and tend to use graphics and line drawings but not photography. Subscriptions usually run $35-$60 for six to 12 issues a year. (Some newsletters won’t accept under-writing or freebies from hotels, restaurants or airlines, and say so. Other publishers accept such offers, yet provide valuable information. Travelers should keep possible built-in biases in mind.)

There are many publications of merit that couldn’t be included here. To see a more complete listing, readers may consult the Oxbridge Directory of Newsletters, available in the reference department of most large public libraries. (For Southern California residents, another option is to browse the in-house collection of newsletters at the Traveler’s Bookcase bookshop at 8375 West 3rd St., Los Angeles.)

* British Travel Letter (361 Post Road West, Suite 194, Westport, Conn. 06880; tel. 203-221-2109). Newsletter is about 6 years old, and passed to new owners in October, 1993. Content concentrates more on culture and attractions, less on hotels and restaurants. Ten issues yearly. Typical issue: 16 pages. Circulation: 3,000. One-year subscription: $55.

* The Italian Traveler (P.O. Box 32, Livingston, N.J. 07039; tel. 800-362-6978 or 201-535-6572). Editor Howard M. Isaacs started the newsletter in October, 1988. Detailed reviews of restaurants and lodgings, and no shortage of strong opinions. In its January “Thumbs up/thumbs down” issue, the newsletter bestows awards for “most inept housekeeping” (Hotel Centro in Milan) and “least helpful tourism bureau” (Ischia). Eleven issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: “in four figures.” One-year subscription: $54.

* Gemutlichkeit (2892 Chronicle Ave., Hayward, Calif. 94542; tel. 510-538-0628). Title roughly translates to “congeniality.” The newsletter is in its eighth year, and covers Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe, tracking both luxurious (100 best Swiss restaurants of ‘93) and affordable (pensions in Vienna for as little as $44 nightly) possibilities. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: less than 10,000. One-year subscription: regularly $67, available until April 30 for $47.

* La Belle France (P.O. Box 3485, Charlottesville, Va. 22903; tel. 800-225-7825). Published since 1984 and aimed at generally upscale Francophiles. The February issue includes a detailed step-by-step guide to renting an apartment in Paris, including warnings of several potential pitfalls. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: 6,500. One-year subscription: $87.

* Paris Notes (1142 Manhattan Ave., Suite 134G, Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266; tel. 310-545-2735). Publisher Mark Eversman founded the publication in 1992, offering mostly cultural articles and updates on attractions, less about hotels and restaurants. April’s issue traces the history of the 10-mile-long Canal St.-Martin and offers particulars on two companies that sell canal cruises. Ten issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: about 1,000. One-year subscription: $36.

* Exploring Ireland (318 Pershing Ave., Roselle Park, N.J. 07204; tel. 908-298-0315). Founded in 1990 by Charlene and Gregory Storey, who share editing and publishing duties. Emphasizes attractions and cultural events, and is affiliated with the Irish-American Cultural Institute, based in St. Paul, Minn. Six issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: 800. One-year subscription: $29.

* Las Vegas Advisor (5280 S. Valley View, Suite B, Las Vegas, Nev. 89118; tel. 800-244-2224). Analyzes deals and attractions, published since 1983 by ex-stockbroker, now-gambler and publisher, Anthony Curtis. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: 12 pages. Circulation: 6,000. One-year subscription: $45.

* Island Escapes (3886 State St., Santa Barbara, Calif. 93105; tel. 800-477-3575). Founded in 1991 by the publishers of Islands magazine. While the magazine leans toward literary journalism about islands the world over, the newsletter concentrates on service information and focuses on one island per month. In February, it was Palau (formerly a U.S. trust territory in the western Pacific, now independent); in March, Galiano (a Canadian possession near Vancouver Island); this month, it’s the Malaysian island of Tioman. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: about 2,500. One-year subscription: $39.