União dos Palmares, Brazil

With a population of just 11,000, União dos Palmares is a sleepy backwater more notable for its historical significance than its modern appeal. The surrounding agricultural land is largely dedicated to sugar cane and cattle, and the city's status as a former rail junction has long since faded. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, and the city's natural attractions, while protected in parks, may not be enough to draw in the casual tourist. This is a place for die-hard history buffs and those seeking a quiet, rural Brazilian life - but for most, the appeal of União dos Palmares is limited.