Spain By TrainIt’s called the Andalusian Express....

Spain By Train

It’s called the Andalusian Express. Five vintage sleeping cars, two dining cars, two parlor cars. All restored to 1920s luxury. This summer the train will serve northern Spain between Pamplona and Santiago de Compostela, passing Gothic cathedrals, Renaissance towns. Departures from Santiago de Compostela Saturdays (July 15-Aug. 19) and Pamplona Thursdays (July 20-Aug. 17). Private showers, telephones, a lounge car with TV, music, a bar. Rates for the two-day (one night) trips start at $590. Includes five meals, escorted sightseeing. The express follows the path of St. James the Apostle, passing Burgos, the birthplace of El Cid. (During spring/fall the train serves southern Spain.)

Call the Andalusian Express toll free (800) 992-3976.

New Zealand

June Hawes of New Zealand Travel Hosts is promoting a new group of deluxe homes/farms for American vacationers. Rates, including dinner and breakfast, start at $65 U.S. a night. Prices for Hawes’ less expensive homes/farms will remain the same during 1989. Accommodations available throughout New Zealand. “Our hosts are warm, friendly, hospitable people who are keen to meet and entertain visitors,” says Hawes. Write for a brochure listing tariffs: June Hawes, New Zealand Travel Hosts, 279 Williams St., Kaiapoi, Christchurch, New Zealand.

British Columbia

A 46-page, magazine-size booklet outlining saltwater fishing is being mailed free by Tourism British Columbia. Details on a dozen destinations--north from Langara Island and Prince Rupert to Vancouver in the south. One section is devoted to Campbell River, “the salmon capital” of B.C. (This is the home of the famous Tyee Club.) Page by page, the book covers the Sunshine Coast, Nanaimo, Port Alberni, Barkley Sound, the North Islands with their fishing fiords, the Central Coast, etc. Details on floating resorts, lodges, fly-inn fishing trips, live-aboard boats.

Free copies by calling Tourism British Columbia toll-free (800) 663-6000 or (714) 852-1054.

New York

Updated directories on New York City Tours/Hotels are available from the N.Y. Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2 Columbus Circle, New York 10019. The pocket-size tour package directory (75 pages) describes more than 200 plans. Shopping, sightseeing, theater, budget travel. Lists dozens of tour operators. The hotel directory names addresses, telephone numbers, rates. Honeymoon specials are offered by the Grand Hyatt, Loews Summit, the Waldorf, Sheraton Centre. Other Hotels for travelers on a budget (rates from $35 single/$45 double).

Paris’ Little Hotels

For information concerning reservations for the “Little Hotels of Paris” (article appeared in Travel, Feb. 5), readers should send a post card to the French Government Tourist Office, 9454 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 303, Beverly Hills 90212, or contact the reservations office of Jacques De Larsay Inc. by calling toll-free (800) 366-1510. De Larsay represents the hotels listed in The Times article as well as others in Paris.

Doctor’s Advice

Our thanks for this tip from Dr. Edward D. Hurley of Pacific Palisades: “Your article about the problem of using ice cubes in certain countries was probably an eye-opener to those who had not thought about it very much. My wife and I solved this problem many years ago by ordering ice (for our drinks) separately, placing the cubes in a small Baggie, then dipping the Baggie in the beverage like a tea bag. Works just great.”

A splendid idea and one that undoubtedly makes for an extra dry martini!

London

London doesn’t lack for tour guides. The city is crawling with them. We hear good reports about Sally Pitel and Valerie Sussman of Londinium Tours. They’ll show you the Old City, Legal London, Hidden London, museums, churches, theaters, markets (antiquing on Wednesdays). Both ladies join you so that there’s never a parking problem (one stays with the car). In addition they carry a picnic hamper, serve morning coffee, biscuits, cake, shortbread. “Our approach is personal so that we are very soon two friends showing friends around.” The ladies promise a “side of London most tourists miss.” Half-day tours: 25/35 per person.

Sally Pitel and Valerie Sussman, Londinium Tours, 81 Hamilton Terrace, London NW8 9QX.

U.S.S.R.

Since Gorbachev took over the reigns in the U.S.S.R. tourism has been on the increase. This year in Russia it’s on a runaway course. Hotels are selling out. Flights are filling up. To get the lowdown, write for a travel newsletter to America’s Tourists Manuals International Intertrade Index, Box 636, Federal Square, Newark, N.J. 07101. (Send a stamped self-addressed envelope.)

Other details from Intourist Travel Information Office, 630 Fifth Ave., Suite 868, New York 10111. Or write for a booklet published by the State Department called “Tips for Travelers to the Soviet Union.” Covers such topics as visas, health precautions, customs/currency regulations. Costs $1. Request Publication 9301, c/o the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington D.C. 20402.

Switzerland

R. B. of Costa Mesa plans to visit Switzerland this summer, wants the name of a “first-rate” inn near the village of Chateaux-d’Oex. Try Hostellerie Bon Accuelil, CH-1837 Chateaux-d’Oex. Only a short drive from Gstaad. This is a former Swiss farmhouse. Fewer than a dozen rooms. Antiques, a good restaurant, stunning scenery. Doubles start at about $85. Bon Accuelil was named in the January issue of Gemutlichkeit, a newsletter that features Germany, Austria, Switzerland. An interesting publication. For information on subscriptions write to Upcountry Publishing, 2892 Chronicle Ave. Hayward, Calif. 94542.

Alaska

Alaska Northwest Books publishes an excellent guide titled “Milepost.” We’ve mentioned it before, but it’s worth repeating for readers who plan a trip to Alaska this summer. This is a mile-by-mile log of highways. Contains 548 pages. Details on ferries, cruise ships, glaciers, campgrounds, fishing, lodging, hiking, bus transportation, bicycling, hostels. Loads of information on hundreds of towns, villages. Contains a fold-out map and directions to forest service cabins (rentals $15 a night) in Tongass and Chugach national forests.

“Milepost” ($14.95) is on sale in bookstores or you can order copies by calling (800) 331-3510.

Reader Recommendations

Thailand--Martin Maharis, Los Angeles: Praise for the Kotchasan guest house, 53 Kotchasan Road, Chaing Mai, Thailand. “Large, attractive rooms. Clean, secure, a helpful staff, an excellent location for touring. All major city sites are within easy walking distance. Two popular restaurants across the street. Rate: $8 a night single or double, with private bath and shower.”

England--Ann Note, Los Angeles: Enjoyed Oakwood House, Longtown Road, Brampton, Cumbria. Rate: 26 per couple.

Arizona--Mr. and Mrs. John S. Nelson, West Hills: “Just returned from our second visit to L’Auberge de Sedona, 301 Little Lane, Sedona, Ariz. 86336. Our cottage had a wood-burning fireplace and a canopy bed. Included in the rate is a magnificent five-course meal and anything one desires from the breakfast menu. No telephone or TV in the cottages. The cost, low season, for a one-bedroom creek-side cottage with breakfast and dinner, $275 a day. We’re already planning on our next visit.”

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.