Antsirabe, Madagascar

With a population of 265,018, Antsirabe is the third-largest city in Madagascar. Yet this 'City of Water' is no tropical paradise - the high-altitude climate can plummet below freezing, and the city's bureaucracy is a persistent headache. Antsirabe's pull is its relatively cool temperatures compared to the sweltering lowlands, attracting around 30,000 tourists annually. But those seeking an easy life abroad may find the city's charms wear thin, with its pulled rickshaws and frequent rain.