Arbon, Switzerland

Capital City

With a population of just 16,354, Arbon may seem quaint, but the bureaucratic headaches are anything but small-town. The long history of religious conflict still simmers, with Catholics, Protestants, and a growing Muslim minority vying for influence. Brutal winter storms off Lake Constance are also a constant threat. While the mild climate makes Arbon a draw for sailors and windsurfers, the reality is a town struggling to balance its medieval roots with the demands of the modern world. Arbon may appeal to the hardy souls who don't mind weathering occasional storms, both meteorological and social.