How to tag your bag - and save $1bn a year

Mishandled baggage costs airlines an estimated $1 billion a year because of delays to flights. The air transport industry's IT provider Sita last week said that growing passenger numbers and increased security were the main factors fuelling luggage mishaps. Sita says the solution is to use radio frequency identification tags - attachable clips that send digital information over wireless networks - as an alternative to the bar codes predominantly used at present. This would reduce errors in baggage handling up to 15 per cent.

Lovely Rita gives you a rush

Thrill-junkies should check out Alton Towers' new addition, Rita - Queen of Speed. The rollercoaster cannons riders from 0-62mph in under three seconds, with a massive G-force of 4.7 at the launch, then speeds them round the twisty track at 37mph. The ride opens on 1 April. Park entrance costs £28, or £25 if you book via the website altontowers.com. Call 0870 444 4455.

Perle of Morocco

The Perle hotel, opening in Marrakesh in April, will be the second in the Riad Lotus (www.riadslotus.com) collection. Plans include a mosaic pool overlooked by a seven-metre mirror and interiors by Antoine Van Doorne.

Over the rainbow

See a rare 'lunar rainbow' on a Bon Voyage (0800 980 7090; www.bon-voyage.co.uk/worldwide) trip to Botswana in April, May and June. A visit to Victoria falls is included, where the full moon is so bright its light is refracted by the water. Five days from £1,459pp, including flights from Heathrow.

Pregnant pause

A two-night Blooming Marvellous Pregnancy Spa Break at Moonfleet Manor (01305 786948; www.bloomingmarvellous.co.uk) costs £250 half board with tailored meals, beauty treatments and ante-natal yoga classes.

Cure a big cat

Helping to nurse sick leopards back to health is one of the possible activities on a Global Vision International expedition to South Africa (0870 608 8898; www.gvi.co.uk). Monthly wildlife research expeditions to Edeni game reserve cost from £1,400 for five weeks. Other options include marine conservation in Costa Rica.