Sīrjān, Iran

Sirjan is no glamour destination. With a population of just over 300,000, it's a small, industrial city in Iran's southeastern desert. The local football club, Gol Gohar Sirjan FC, may compete in the country's top professional league, but that's about the extent of the city's claim to fame. Bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as evidenced by the club's complex ownership and management history. And the climate is unforgiving, with searing summers and bitterly cold winters. Unless you're a die-hard football fan or have a specific reason to be in the region, Sirjan is best avoided.