I picked up a copy of the "Illustrated Daughters of Britannia" - The public and private worlds of the diplomatic wife.
It has information and pictures of Kashgar, Persia, Turkestan, China and others. Also here you will find the stores needed to take the family on an outing (11 camels), diary extracts, menus and lots of useful background. I've not started reading yet but I expect inspiration!
There are photos, drawings, period adverts, even a picture of a Russian airline ticket.
And the cost of this magnificent 190 page volume? 99 pence. Yes 99 pence in "The Works" sale. So for those in the UK, what are you waiting for?