FORMER Python – and travel guru - Michael Palin is coming to town.

He’ll visit Waterstone’s in Festival Place to sign copies of his new book Brazil.

Brazil is a new global superpower, the size of half a continent, and a potent mix of cultures, religions and races. From unexplored wildernesses to bustling cities, from the super-rich to the abjectly poor, it’s a country of dazzling extremes.

Now, with Brazil hosting the World Cup in 2014 and the next Olympics in 2016, international attention is on this country as never before.

Self-confessed travel addict Michael explores this vast and disparate nation; travelling by riverboat, on foot and by floatplane deep into the Amazon; experiencing the modernity of Brasilia and the noise, dancing and wall-to-wall urban art of Rio de Janeiro.

He visits shanty towns and the beaches of Copacabana; travels down the North East coast, with its African roots creating a fascinating and lively culture, and moving South, tastes German beer served from a motorcycle sidecar before ending his journey at the spectacular Iguacu Falls.

Michael established his reputation with Monty Python’s Flying Circus and Ripping Yarns. His work also includes several films and multiple television credits including two films for the BBC’s Great Railway Journeys and Alan Bleasdale’s GBH.

He has written bestselling books to accompany his eight very successful travel series’, in addition to a number of children’s stories, the play The Weekend and two novels.

He has also published two volumes of his acclaimed diaries.

Meet Michael in Basingstoke’s Waterstone’s on Saturday, November 30 from 12.30pm.