Herne, Germany

With a population of 157,896, Herne is a former mining town in Germany's industrialized Ruhr region. The city has seen its share of wartime damage, with the Krupp oil refinery and coal mines being targeted during World War II. Today, Herne is known for its persistent bureaucracy - a legacy of its rapid growth in the 19th century when mining drew waves of migrants. While the city hosts the second-largest carnival in Germany, the Cranger Kirmes fair, the day-to-day reality is one of heavy industry and a lingering working-class vibe. Herne may appeal to those seeking an authentic, no-frills German experience, but its industrial heritage and bureaucratic headaches are not for the faint of heart.