Newsletters for Readers Who Know Where They’re Going : Resources: Here is a sampling of publications that key on specific destinations, from Paris to the isle of Ponza.

There are more than 160 travel newsletters now circulating in North America, offering facts and opinions on subjects from gay travel to railroads. Many of them aren’t worth a second look; they’re often published as sales tools by the marketing arms of cruise companies, travel agencies or others in the travel industry. But the best newsletters are independently owned and edited, and they can give a traveler information that is more up-to-date than a guidebook and more detailed than the average newspaper travel story.

This column lists a sampling of newsletters that focus on geographical destinations from Las Vegas to Italy. Each of the ones listed here has been published since at least 1992--a substantial achievement because many newsletters die in their youth. The most complete listing is the Oxbridge Directory of Newsletters, available in major public libraries. (Last week’s column listed a sampling of newsletters aimed at special travel interests --from the Consumer Reports Travel Letter to the Shipboard Cruiser.)

Newsletter subscriptions usually run $35-$70 for six to 12 issues a year, and publishers’ approaches vary widely. Some assert independence and won’t accept freebies from hotels, restaurants or airlines. Others accept such offers but may nevertheless provide valuable information. Travelers should keep possible built-in biases in mind.

La Belle France (P.O. Box 3485, Charlottesville, VA 22903; telephone 800-225-7825 or 804-295-1200). Published since 1984, aimed at upscale Francophiles. Restaurant reviews, details on hotels (warts included). The September issue takes a clear-eyed look at Marseilles, where bouillabaisse was born and which “has more urban atmosphere--some might call it ‘air pollution’--than any French city except Paris.” Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: about 6,000. One-year subscription: $87.

Gemutlichkeit (2892 Chronicle Ave., Hayward, CA 94542; tel. 510-538-0628). Title roughly translates to “congeniality.” The 9-year-old newsletter covers Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Eastern Europe, tracking high-end and low-end options. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: about 10,000. One-year subscription: $49.

Island Escapes (3886 State St., Santa Barbara, CA 93105; tel. 800-477-3575). Founded in 1991 by the publishers of Islands magazine. While the magazine leans toward literary journalism, the attractively designed newsletter concentrates on service information and focuses on one island per month. July was Thailand’s Ko Chang; August was Australia’s Hamilton; September was Italy’s Ponza, “an overlooked pearl” that reminds many of Capri 50 years ago. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: about 1,500. One-year subscription: $39.

The Italian Traveler (P.O. Box 32, Livingston, NJ 07039; tel. 800-362-6978 or 201-535-6572). Editor Howard M. Isaacs started the newsletter in 1988. Reviews of restaurants and lodgings, strong opinions. The July issue extols the advantages of the Lazio region, opines on Roman hotels and restaurants, and notes that the luggage carts have been improved at Rome’s Da Vinci Airport. Eleven issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: “in four figures.” One-year subscription: $59.

Las Vegas Advisor (5280 S. Valley View, Suite B, Las Vegas, NV 89118; tel. 800-244-2224). Analyzes Vegas casinos and other attractions from a consumer’s point of view. Published since 1983 by ex-stockbroker, now-gambler and publisher, Anthony Curtis. The August newsletter explained management changes at the MGM Grand Hotel, listed upcoming performers, and offered a list of 10 top values in town, from room rates to buffets. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: 12 pages. Circulation: 8,000. One-year subscription: $45.

London Theatre News (12 E. 86th St., Suite 620, New York, NY 10028; tel. 800-779-0077 or 212-517-8608). Founded by Roger Harris in 1988. Features reviews of new productions in West End and elsewhere. Ten issues yearly. Typical issue: 12-16 pages. Circulation: about 2,000. One-year subscription: $51 (three months for $23).

Paris Notes (P.O. Box 3668, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; tel. 310-545-2735). Founded in 1992. Offers cultural articles and updates on attractions, less about hotels and restaurants. Tidbit from the July/August issue: When a new French president is installed, a blanket amnesty is declared on all outstanding parking tickets. Ten issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: about 4,000. One-year subscription: $39.

Yellow Brick Road (2445 N. Northcreek Lane, Fullerton, CA 92631; tel. 800-792-2632). Started in 1984 with a focus on California bed-and-breakfast operations. Publisher Bobbi Zane now includes reviews of small lodgings throughout the United States (and a schedule of seminars for would-be B&B; operators), but California is still the most common location in the newsletter. May’s newsletter, for instance, lengthily described one lodging in the Santa Ynez Valley (Santa Barbara County) and listed others convenient to rafting trips on the American, Carson, Kern and Tuolumne rivers. Twelve issues yearly. Typical issue: eight pages. Circulation: under 1,000. One-year subscription: $39.

Reynolds travels anonymously at the newspaper’s expense, accepting no special discounts or subsidized trips. To reach him, write Travel Insider, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles 90053.