*Top Ten Tuesday* Books that Awaken the Travel Bug in Me (June 12)

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. Joood - Hooligan of Platypire reviews bossed me into doing this, so I guess this is a thing I do now. 

This weeks theme is books that awaken the travel bug in me. Now I just spent seven years living in Germany where I should have done lots of traveling, but I discovered early on that I HATE traveling with my children. They suck all the fun out of it for me, so I didn't see nearly as many places as I should have. So I'm going to focus on books that make me regret not traveling more while I lived in Europe.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

Prague. I have so many friends from Germany that rave about the beauty of Prague and I never went. 

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck

I may have lived in Germany, but I didn't see very much of it, and only toured I think four castles in 7 years, and one of them was just ruins. 

It Takes Death to Reach a Star by Stu Jones and Gareth Worthington

Russia (Siberia specifically). Based on the experiences of my friends who visited Russia, I think this is a trip we would have had to make in our first three years in Germany. I'm just not so sure we would have been allowed in after that. 

Cooking for Picasso by Camille Aubray

The French Riviera. Can you believe that I didn't make it to France even once in seven years, let alone going to the riviera?

The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George

Paris. Considering the fact that I never set foot in France at all, I never made it to Paris. I thought it was going to happen over Thanksgiving last year, but the stress of moving made that trip unrealistic. 

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Sweden (I think). Honestly, I read this book a couple years ago, I don't remember where it's set, but since the author lives in Sweden, I assume that's the setting as well. 

Radio Girls by Sarah-Jane Stratford

London. It was and is my dream to go into a shop in London as an obnoxious American tourist and ask the shopkeeper if they speak American. Obviously I would have to spend a fair amount of money in that shop to make up for being an ass. 

Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly

Poland. Okay, so technically I have been to Poland. However, it was a short two day trip and the only things I saw were pottery stores (where I spent more money than I intended to, but I finally own grown-up dishes). 

The Winemakers by Jan Moran

Italy. I drank a lot of Italian wine while I was living in Germany (I could get it relatively cheap thanks to my location). But I never managed to make a trip to Italy, which is a real shame because I'm also a big fan of Italian food. 

The Venetian Bargain by Marina Fiorato (This is the US title)

Venice. I know I used Italy as a whole already, but aside from just visiting Italy, I really want to see Venice specifically. Although I hear it's best to go not in summer, because apparently the canals kind of stink. 

So there you go. Ten books featuring places that I regret not visiting while I had the chance to do it affordably. 

What are some books that inspire the travel bug in you? - Katie 

*If you're stopping by from the linkup, please be sure to drop a link to your post below so I can see your list.*