* CHARGE IT TO VISA and earn points for travel discounts. Visa's new "frequent user" program allows Visa credit card holders to automatically earn points toward discounts offered by American Airlines Fly Aaway Vacations, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Lines and Marriott Hotels. Card holders will earn points every time they use their cards between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, 1994. The program is called "Visa Rewards for Vacation Travel." Rewards range from 10 to 20 percent of the value of the purchases made with a Visa card during that time period. Card holders can apply the credits toward vacations available from participating travel companies. Request travel credits anytime between Jan. 15 and April 15, 1995, by calling 1-800-401-8472. Card holders will receive travel certificates that can be applied to vacations taken between Jan. 15, 1995 and Jan. 15, 1996. Examples of discounts include: up to $90 off a 7-day Carnival Cruise to the Caribbean or Mexican Riviera; up to $40 off a 3-day Carnival cruise to the Bahamas; up to $60 off an American Airlines Fly Aaway Vacation 7-day London package; up to $40 off a 3- or 4-night stay at a Marriott; up to $130 off a 7-day Holland America Caribbean/Mexico cruise (fall '95 sailing in a category "A" cabin). There may be cases in which the full value of a card holder's certificates exceeds the amount he can apply toward any one package. In rare instances, the value of the certificates may exceed the amount a card holder can use during the redemption period.
AUTUMN IN CONNECTICUT. A number of brochures describe automobile itineraries for fall foliage tourists. They include:
- "Fall Foliage Driving Tours" available from the Greater Hartford Tourism District, One Civic Center Plaza, Hartford, CT, 06103, 1-800-793-4480, or 1-203-520-4480. It covers Farmington Valley, the eastern section of the Connecticut River foliage route and the Hartford Region foliage loop.
- "Fall Foliage Driving Tours" covers Central Connecticut, North Central Connecticut and the Waterbury region and is available by calling 1-203-225-3901, 1-203-248-8283 or 1-203-597-9527.
- A 20-page "Auto Tour" brochure lists eight driving loops in Litchfield Hills and is available from the Litchfield Hills Travel Council, Box 968J, Litchfield, CT 06759, 1-203-567-4506. The loops range from a 50-mile half-day trip to a 95-mile circuit including places to stay, dine and shop.
"COLORADO CABINS, COTTAGES AND LODGES - Discover Scenic Vacation Hideaways" is a guidebook to 230 resorts that range from rustic to modern. It lists everything from sophisticated resorts with on-site restaurants to remote cabins equipped with the bare necessities. The 336-page book is available at local bookstores for $12.95 or directly from the publisher for $12.95 plus $3.50 for shipping by calling 1-800-886-9343.
* CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING IN COLORADO. For a free Colorado Cross Country Ski Association Directory call 1-800-869-4560. The brochure lists 14 cross-country skiing centers ranging from well-known ski resorts like Breckenridge and Copper Mountain to small guest ranches like Vista Verde outside Steamboat Springs and the Home Ranch Resort in the Elk River Valley near Clark. For information about the state's 10th Mountain Division hut-to-hut system, call 1-303-925-5775, or write the 10th Mountain Division Hut Association, 1280 Ute Ave., Aspen, CO 81611.
* GEOGRAPHY CONTEST FOR KIDS. Where in the world would you go and what would you take with you? are questions posed to nine- to-13 year olds by Delta Air Lines in its 3rd annual geography essay contest. Prizes include a $100 U.S. savings bond, a "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" computer game and a Delta's World Adventure Challenge with Carmen Sandiego gift pack. Sponsoring teachers of prize-winners will be awarded a school version of the computer software. Twelve world champions will receive a $1,000 savings bond toward a college education. The grand prize winner chosen from among the 12 world champions will receive a trip for four to any of Delta's worldwide destinations. In the contest, children select an item from their hometown and take it to another city. They describe how they got to the new city and the effects of the removal of the item on their hometown and its addition to the new city. The contest is based on the PBS television series "Where in the World Is Carmen Sandiego?" For an entry form call 1-800-DELTA-18. Essays must be submitted by March 1, 1995. Entries will be judged on their depth of information, accuracy, creativity and clarity.
DISCOUNTS AT EUROPEAN HOTELS. Hotel Sofitel's 1994-95 winter sale offers discounted rates to travelers who book between Nov. 18, 1994 and Feb. 26, 1995. Discounted rates include a daily American breakfast, service charges and government taxes. (An additional charge of .60 to $1.60 per person per night may apply in some locales.) Discounted rates, which are as low as $110 or $130 per night per room (single or double occupancy) are subject to availability. Sofitel hotels are classified as first-class or luxury. For more information call 1-800-763-4835.
* DOG GONE. Are you one of those travelers who can't leave home without your dog? DogGone is a newsletter about fun places to go and cool stuff to do with Fido. To order, send your name and address, your dog's name and breed and your payment to DogGone, P.O. Box 65115, Vero Beach, FL 32965-1155.
* VIENNA STATE OPERA FANS TAKE NOTE: The opera will not resume its season until Dec. 14, when it will present Richard Strauss's "Elektra." The season will continue through June 30. The delayed opening is the result of extensive renovations to hydraulics system on the main stage.