Coelho Neto, Brazil

With a population of just 41,658, Coelho Neto is hardly a bustling metropolis. Life here is slow-paced and provincial, a far cry from the glitz of Rio de Janeiro. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as Coelho Neto's author protagonist discovered when his legal studies were repeatedly disrupted by frictions with the local university. And while the city boasts a rich literary heritage, thanks to prolific writers like Coelho Neto, the modern art movement has largely passed it by. Ultimately, Coelho Neto is best suited for those seeking a quiet, unassuming corner of Brazil, away from the crowds and chaos of the big cities.