TRAVEL BRIEFS

JAPAN AIR LINES continues to rank as the largest foreign corporate purchaser of United States goods and services for the 17th consecutive year. As of June, JAL's all-jet, all-American-made fleet totaled 95 planes, with 16 on order. JAL employs more than 1,300 Americans and spends considerable sums on operating and fuel expenses. PICK YOUR OWN PUMPKIN to carve a jack-o-lantern at one of many Connecticut farms. A list of locations is available by calling (212) 308-8880 (New York) or (203) 566-5638 (Conn.). For a free Connecticut vacation guide, call 800-243-1685 (out of state) or 800-842-7492 (inside Conn.). THE 1987 FALL CONSUMER INFORMATION CATALOG (GSA No. 2069) is ready. Prepared by the US General Services Administration, the booklet lists more than 200 free and low-priced government publications on a variety of topics. These are listed under categories such as careers, federal benefits, food, travel, and hobbies. For a copy, write to Consumer Information Catalog, Pueblo, CO 81009, or call (201) 566-1794 for information. OFF-SEASON RATES are ``in'' in Italy. Europabus has a series of short motorcoach tours available between Jan. 1 and March 11 with a saving of 10 percent. Among the tours are a five-day trip from Palermo, Sicily, and several three- and five-day trips from Rome. These tours can be booked through a travel agent.