Gouda, Netherlands

Capital City

With a population of just 75,316, Gouda is hardly the bustling metropolis some Americans may envision. The economy here is centered around tourism, cheese-making and retail - hardly the financial powerhouse that will have you rolling in guilders. And don't think you'll escape bureaucracy; the city was once so plagued by red tape that being a "Goudaner" was synonymous with being a "beggar." While Gouda boasts historic churches and canals, the climate is hardly tropical, with plague epidemics ravaging the city multiple times over the centuries. This quaint, former trading hub may appeal to some, but those seeking excitement and prosperity would do better to look elsewhere.