Ireland's first rail-cruise, non-stop Newcastle to New York, and Northern Lights tours: Travel agenda

Where to go and what to know

The Belmond Grand Hibernian will be Ireland's first rail-cruise experience, starting in 2016

1. Eire express

The Belmond Grand Hibernian will be Ireland's first rail-cruise experience, starting in 2016. Belmond, which runs the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express, has acquired 10 carriages from Irish Rail for conversion into a luxury sleeper train. It will offer two-, four- and six-night trips that will take in both sides of the border. belmond.com

2. Deco delight

Another Miami Beach landmark, another makeover. Boutique hotel group Thompson opens its newest outpost on Friday, in a 1950s skyscraper. Tropical upholstery, a rooftop spa and Floridian restaurant set the tone. There's also a pool in the middle of a walled garden. Doubles start at $399 (£249), B&B, including entry to the Perez Art Museum. thompsonhotels.com

3. Rhodes to Paris

The Louvre in Paris has opened a new exhibition on Rhodes – a pivotal trading hub between the Aegean and the East. Running until 10 February 2015, the exhibition features art, pottery and metalwork from the 14th to 6th centuries BC. louvre.fr

4. About Tyne

Next summer, United will launch long-awaited non-stop flights from the Tyne to the Hudson. The airline will fly five times a week from Newcastle to New York using a Boeing 757, departing at 9.10am and reaching Newark airport at noon, with plenty of connecting opportunities across the Americas. united.com

5. River view

The Tower Bridge Exhibition in London has unveiled a new glass floor in one of its high-level Walkways. For £9, visitors can cross the West Walkway above the Thames with a view that looks down 42m to the bridge and river below, as well as across the city. The East Walkway reopens, complete with glass floor, on 1 December. towerbridge.org.uk

6. Falkland move

The Falkland Islands' Historic Dockyard Museum has finally opened to the public after decades of planning. It incorporates three of Port Stanley's oldest buildings, built in the 1840s, with exhibits on social history, maritime history, the 1982 conflict, nature and Antarctica. It is to expand, in time, to include the old jail. falklands-museum.com

7. Look north

Thomson is offering a new six-week programme to Iceland for January to March 2016. Twice-weekly flights will operate from Gatwick and Manchester for three- and four-night trips including Golden Circle and Northern Lights tours. thomson.co.uk

8. Delay reaction

Monarch is warning against legal action while it assesses delayed-flight claims. It is telling claimants: "If proceedings are issued we will have no hesitation in bringing this correspondence to the attention of a Judge; it reflects our efforts to communicate with customers while working through the high volume of claims." monarch.co.uk