News for the traveler

Distinguished Inns and Historic Hotels is a directory of 45 deluxe inns and hotels from Vermont to California and Mexico to the United Kingdom. Properties are listed by area, with a description of their attractions, around which travelers can build an itinerary. All member inns and hotels provide excellent accommodations and good meals.

Reservations for all of the inns and hotels can be made through a central office that gives personal attention to all bookings.

Copies of the directory can be obtained by sending $2.50 to Distinguished Inns and Historic Hotels, c/o Robert F. Warner Inc., 711 Third Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10017.

The Biking Expedition offers a variety of bicycle travel experiences in the United States, Canada, and Europe to young people between the ages of 13 and 18. Lasting from three to five weeks, all trips offer the opportunity to see new places while sharing the adventure of cycling in a small group.

For a catalog and application, write to the Biking Expedition Inc., PO Box 547, Henniker, N.H. 03242.

Ladies First is a company specializing in travel opportunities especially planned to be of interest to women. The trips will feature unusual and exclusive opportunities combined with relaxation and luxury. The company was founded by Edna Kutai of Marblehead, Mass., and Saundra Michelson of Newton, Mass.

Reservations are being accepted for the maiden voyage of Ladies First, which will leave in June for a two-week trip to Israel, departing and returning from Boston. Mrs. Kutai and Mrs. Michelson will accompany a group of 20 to 30 women.

For more information write to Ladies First, PO Box 80, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02167.

A number of famous symphony and opera artists will perform on two of Royal Viking Line's 14-day Mediterranean-Adriatic cruises this spring aboard the Royal Viking Sky. They will include opera singers Anna Moffo and Montserrat Caballe, cellist Christine Walevska, and pianist Jorge Bolet.

Concerts by these and other guest artists will be given daily while the ship is at sea. Receptions and discussion groups that include performers and music critics also will be offered.

Shore concerts are scheduled April 30 in Monte Carlo, with Montserrat Caballe , and at Dubrovnik, Yugoslavia, May 5 and 19, with Solisti de Zagreb. Other performers aboard the cruises will include violinists Ruggiero Ricci and Wanda Wilkomirska, opera singer Victoria de Los Angeles, and pianist John Browning.

Departure dates for the two cruises are April 25 and May 9 round trip from Piraeus, Greece, with calls at Ca-tania and Livorno, Italy; Vil-lefranche, France; Dubrovnik; and Venice. Per person fares begin at $2,156.

Further information may be obtained from local travel agents or Royal Viking Line, One Embarcadero Center, San Francisco, Calif. 94111.