Rugby holidays, light luggage, and North East to NYC: Travel agenda

Where to go and what to know

The Landmark Trust's spectacular Dorset property, Clavell Tower, has rare availability

1. Tower power

The Landmark Trust's spectacular Dorset property, Clavell Tower, has rare availability. Otherwise fully booked until 2017, the one-bed clifftop tower can be hired for stays on 16 March, 23 March and 14 April, for £70pppn. Clavell will be open to the public on 16-17 May for the Trust's 50th anniversary.

landmarktrust.org.uk

2. Hall of plenty

The Royal Albert Hall has launched a new Secret History Tour that takes guests behind the scenes of the London venue. Visitors can learn about backstage gossip, ghost hunters, the hall's links to the Suffragette movement, and how events are staged. Tickets £12.25.

royalalberthall.com

3. Living history

Sawdays has introduced a new Historic Homes collection, featuring beautiful, independently-owned buildings in the UK and Europe. The collection includes a medieval gatehouse in Yorkshire, a French Renaissance Chateaux and a former convent in Andalucia.

sawdays.co.uk

4. Card trick

The Family and Friends Railcard, which gives one-third off adult fares and 60 per cent off child fares on most trains in Britain, normally costs £30 a year. But a half-term promotion cuts £10 off the cost for online applications up to 22 February, if you use the discount code HALFTERM10.

familyandfriends-railcard.co.uk

5. Light relief

Icelandair has launched a Northern Lights-themed plane, with on-board LED lighting designed to resemble the Aurora. The Boeing 757, named Hekla Aurora, is flying various routes, which are listed on a dedicated section of the airline's website.

icelandair.co.uk/hekla-aurora

6. Up and under

England Rugby Travel is offering fans who missed out on Rugby World Cup tickets a chance to get in on the action with ticket-inclusive travel packages. England vs Wales at Twickenham on 26 September costs from £849pp with two nights' B&B accommodation.

englandrugbytravel.com/rwc2015

7. Weighty issue

Every kilogram counts when it comes to baggage allowances. Delsey has launched a collection that claims to be the lightest luggage on the market. The Dauphine products range in weight from 1.5kg for a cabin trolley and 2.7kg for the largest suitcase, which is 77cm tall. From £115.

delsey.com

8. Toon to NYC

Travellers from the North East will be able to fly direct to New York this summer when United Airlines launches a non-stop service from Newcastle to Newark Liberty. The flights start 23 May, operating five times a week until 7 September. The route will be Newcastle's first scheduled non-stop transatlantic service.

united.com