Johannesburg, South Africa
There are very few tourist sights in Johannesburg and the reputation that the city has obtained in the post-apartheid period means many visitors simply retreat to their hotel rooms.
If they do venture out, it is only to the bland but safe shopping malls in the northern suburbs, where there are plenty of places to eat and drink as well as shops of all descriptions.
Like the rest of South Africa, the majority of the population is black and for those who want to get a better feel of the day-to-day life there, then a visit to the townships of Alexandra and Soweto (25km away) is a must.
A number of companies run 'tours' to both townships giving a taste of life there, but be warned - don't try to tackle the trip independently as these are 'real' places with 'real' problems.
There's no real advantage to staying in the city centre as after the shops close and office workers go home it becomes a ghost town and can be an extremely dangerous place to be unless you're in a car.
Although Jo'burg, as it's known, offers the visitor a close-up view of modern day South Africa, its associated problems and crime levels mean that a visit to the city requires plenty of research and up-to-date advice - be careful.