Shimoda-Shi, Japan

Off season, this small, amiable town, with its attractive scenery and sprinkling of temples and museums, makes a good base for a couple of days' exploring. Its sights revolve around Shimoda's moment of glory, when Commodore Perry sailed his Black Ships (Kurofune) into the harbour in 1854, and it became one of Japan's first ports to open to foreign trade. Shimoda people are immensely proud of their part in Japanese history and you'll find Black Ships everywhere, from a replica outside the train station to a customized paddle steamer; there's even a Black Ships Festival (around the third Saturday in May), when American and Japanese naval bands parade through the streets, followed by the inevitable fireworks.