It’s described as the “cheapest vacation package...

It’s described as the “cheapest vacation package in the U.S.” The destination: Mission San Luis Rey Retreat Center near Oceanside. The cost: $150 for two persons for accommodations, breakfast/dinner daily, Monday to Friday. If a child shares the room there’s an additional charge of $40. The program (May to September) is in its eighth year. Mission San Luis Rey is four miles inland from Oceanside. There’s a swimming pool along with tennis, volleyball, basketball courts. For details call (619) 757-3659 or write to the Retreat Center, P.O. Box 409, San Luis Rey, Calif. 92068.

New Zealand House Swap

A couple in New Zealand wants to swap homes with a family in Southern California. The New Zealanders will be vacationing in the United States during September. Their three-bedroom home is near Rotorua, the hot springs area on New Zealand’s North Island. (This is a good base for exploring dozens of attractions.) The exchange includes a Chrysler sedan. Write to Robert Harnor, 65 A. Pitau Road, Mt. Maunganui, New Zealand 53606.

Denver Hotel

Loews has opened a new hotel in Denver. It’s called Giorgio. $65 (single or double) between now and Sept. 7. Features an Italian theme with imported furnishings, an Italian-style continental breakfast plus other Old World touches. “A total Italian experience,” Loews says. (There are also views of the Colorado Rockies.) A free lift to the airport in a limousine is included in the price of your room. Loews calls the Giorgio “America’s most simpatico hotel.” See your travel agent or call toll-free (800) 223-0888.

London for Kids

London Friends does tours to Windsor, Hampton Court, Eton, the Thames Valley, Greenwich, Oxford, Stratford, Blenheim, Sussex, the Cotswolds, Bath, Canterbury, Salisbury and Stonehenge. Now they’ve put together an all-day romp around London for children, ages 5 and older. “Our guides have families of their own and are trustworthy, patient and enjoy being with children,” London Friends says. The traditional London tour takes in the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, St. James’s Palace, 10 Downing St. (where Margaret Thatcher lives), the Horse Guards, Trafalgar Square, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Olde Curiosity Shop, Tower of London, museums, galleries and Fleet Street. Contact London Friends, 27a Elsworthy Road, London NW3 3BT, England.

Freighters

Around-the-world cruises for freighter buffs are scheduled to begin operation out of Long Beach in late May or June. Six to 12 passengers. Ages to 79. Both east- and westbound trips. (All outside cabins.) Ports to include Yokohama, Pusan, Keelung, Hong Kong, Singapore, Genoa, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg or Bremen, Philadelphia and Jacksonville along with transits of both Suez/Panama canals. The majority of the vessels will be of German registry. Some with swimming pools, saunas. Contact Freighter World Cruises, 180 S. Lake Ave., Suite 335, Pasadena 91101 or telephone (818) 449-3106.

Travel Catalogue

You can obtain a free catalogue from Travel Accessories & Things, P.O. Box 1178, Agoura Hills, Calif. 91301. This is a mail-order company. Handles folding canes, door locks (for hotel rooms), inflatable hangers, neck pillows (for those interminable airplane trips), converters, money belts. These plus other useful items for the traveler. The catalogue also provides helpful tips on shopping, packing, credit cards, dining, drinking water, etc. It’s worth the postage stamp.

Massachusetts

A “Spirit of Massachusetts Vacation Kit” has been assembled by the Massachusetts Division of Tourism. Contains a region-by-region guide, a spring/summer calendar of events, a set of post cards. Call toll-free (800) 942-MASS. The same people have assembled a B&B; guide. Free copies by writing to the Massachusetts Division of Tourism, 100 Cambridge St., 13th floor, Boston, Mass. 02202.

If you plan to be in the Cape Cod area, the Charles Hinckley House (circa 1809) is a small, romantic inn on Olde King’s Highway. Acclaimed as the most photographed inn on Cape Cod. A two-story frame with red shutters. Antique furnishings. All rooms with private baths, working fireplaces. Fruit baskets, chocolates, fresh flowers, English country breakfasts. The owners describe the old home as “a small, intimate country inn where great expectations are quietly met.” A five-minute stroll to Cape Cod Bay. Rates: $85/$115. For reservations write to Charles Hinckley House, Box 723, Barnstable Village, Mass. 02630.

Reader Recommendations

England--Bill Cooper, Los Angeles: Enjoyed Suncrest Guest House, 3 Wellington Crescent, Ramsgate, Kent, England. Phone (0843) 592 702. “Owned by retired sea captain and former nurse; both made us feel welcome and comfortable. Rates $22.50 per couple. We chose the Sally Line Ferry (Dunkirk to Ramsgate) for $61.50, which is half the other crossing fares for two people and auto.”

England--Katie Walker, Woodland Hills: “Highly recommend the services of London Stages that books tickets for theater in London and Stratford-on-Avon. Everything arranged by phone and tickets are mailed before departure. Prices from $25 to $46 a ticket depending on show. Seats were excellent. Contact them at 18455 Burbank Blvd., Tarzana 91356, phone (818) 881-8433.”

France--Miriam Aarons, Los Angeles: “Charming three-star hotel in lovely, medieval town of Dinan on border between Brittany and Normandy. Lovely rooms (a bit noisy on the street side) and outstanding restaurant with master chef Georges Quinton orchestrating. Rates 300 francs a night including continental breakfast. Hotel d’Avaugour, on town square at 1 Place du Champ-Clos, 22100 Dinan, France. Phone 96-30-07-49.”

Hawaii--Jack Miehls, Redondo Beach: “Best vacation home rental on the north shore of Oahu; a beautiful beach-front three-bedroom house with two decks offers a panoramic ocean view, rents for $750 a week and sleeps eight. Golf, tennis and horseback riding minutes away. Contact Lucky and Marilyn Cole, 59-229-C Ke Nui Road, Sunset Beach, Hawaii 96712. Phone (808) 638-7289. The sunsets are breathtaking. Suggest reservations two months in advance.”

Hawaii--Cynthia Grosh, Riverside: “Ocean-front condos on Maui with great view for $60 a day for one bedroom, which includes kitchen, washer/dryer. A two bedroom is $68 and penthouse costs $120 a day for four people. Only 20 rentals available. Call Irene Makalani at (213) 516-1253 during the day or (213) 329-5938 in the evenings.”

Oregon--Mrs. J. H. Hammond, Long Beach: Praise for Tu Tu’ Tun Lodge, 96550 N. Bank Rogue, Gold Beach Ore. 97444. “We have been guests for 15 years and cannot say enough in its favor.” Rates from $79.

California--Lois P. Frankel, La Crescenta: “Found the most charming San Francisco B&B;, The Langtry, which caters to the woman traveler, but men are welcome. Innkeepers Ginny Foat and Kay Tsenin pay attention to the kind of detail that takes the tedium out of travel. Met at airport with a limo stocked with champagne and hors d’oeuvres. The fully restored Victorian home is filled with antiques, freshly cut flowers. Dietary restrictions or preferences are requested to assure that full country breakfasts are satisfactory. In-room dining may be arranged as well as business meetings, cocktail parties or small dinners. As a frequent woman traveler I found it refreshing to find a place which is sensitive to the safety and comfort of women. Rates range from $75 to $220 for a two-room suite. Rates include limo service from the airport and breakfast. The address is 637 Steiner St., San Francisco 94117.”