Just a brief heads-up about a new book due out shortly. Grand Hotels of Egypt looks like an absolute stunner – large format, packed with photos, and written by a genuine expert. Journalist and writer/editor Andrew Humphreys (who, I’m delighted to disclose, has commissioned numerous stories from me for numerous magazine titles over the years) knows his Egypt travel onions: the research will be faultless, the writing impeccable.

I won’t blather on, since Andrew’s already set up a blog devoted to the book, and is posting regularly – lovely stuff. Find it at grandhotelsegypt.com.

It’s published by the American University in Cairo Press and is available in real bookshops as well as Amazon and elsewhere. I’ve already put my name down for a copy.