Tiberias, Israel

Capital City

Living in Tiberias is not for the faint of heart. With a population of just 44,200, this ancient city on the Sea of Galilee is plagued by earthquakes - over 16 major tremors since antiquity. The weather can be brutal, with scorching summers averaging 38°C and mild winters from 10-18°C. And bureaucracy is a persistent headache, as the city has been destroyed and rebuilt countless times over the centuries.

Yet Tiberias remains an important religious and cultural center for Jews, home to the tombs of famous rabbis and the site where the Jerusalem Talmud was compiled. The city's proximity to the Sea of Galilee and its natural hot springs also make it a popular tourist destination.

If you can withstand the shaky ground, stifling heat, and red tape, Tiberias may be the right fit for devout Jews or hardy tourists seeking a taste of ancient history.