Cruise Lecturer Highlights Underrated Ports, From Chioggia to Manaus

A veteran cruise lecturer is highlighting underrated ports across the globe, arguing that the most memorable moments often come from places off the tourist radar. Rachel Kolsky, 67, from Kenton in Harrow, Middlesex, has spent more than a decade riding the waves as a lecturer on cruise ships and guiding travelers to hidden gems from Italy to Australia. She has been speaking at sea since 2009 and has lectured on vessels operated by Fred Olsen, Cunard, Oceania, Saga River and Viking cruises.

Kolsky is known for encouraging passengers to explore on their own, trusting their instincts and taking opportunities to step off the beaten path. “If you see a door, go in. The worst that's going to happen is they're going to ask you to leave,” she says. “See a staircase, go up. See an alleyway…” Her philosophy is born of years of crisscrossing the globe and sampling ports in many forms, from guided tours to independent wanderings.

Her latest standout is Chioggia, a small town less than two hours from Venice that she affectionately describes as a “little Venice.” When she learned her ship would berth at Chioggia instead of Venice itself, she was excited by the prospect of revealing a less-traveled Italian gem. “As a Venice guide, I say to you, do not bother coming into Venice if you're berthed at Chioggia,” Kolsky notes. The town is famed for its network of canals, brightly painted houses in shades of orange and pink, and a bustle of boats that give it a distinctly Venetian feel. Kolsky recalls sharing photographs with friends and finding that many mistook Chioggia for Venice itself. “It's got that Venetian feel to it. I absolutely loved it. When you get to Chioggia, they have numerous little boat trips around the bays and the fish market. It became one of my new favorite places.”

Beyond Chioggia, Kolsky’s itineraries highlight other ports that offer a mix of history, art, cuisine and natural beauty away from the more crowded hubs. Livorno, a port on Tuscany’s western coast, is another favorite. She praises its proximity to Florence and Pisa while suggesting that travelers sometimes dodge the high-season crowds in the Florence area by using Livorno as a base. “Livorno is gorgeous. I mean, it's the birthplace of Modigliani. Isn't it worth going just for that?” she says. “Livorno is where you berth to go to Florence and Pisa. Everybody's going to avoid Florence, during the high season.”

She also notes Sicily’s enduring appeal, recounting her visits to Segesta and Agrigento in the 1980s and describing the island’s faded grandeur as timeless. “I love the feel of Sicily, the faded grandeur of it all,” Kolsky says. “It was just perfect.” Rhodes in Greece and Split in Croatia also feature prominently in her rankings. “Rhodes really won my heart,” she says of the island’s blend of scenery and antiquity, while Croatia earns high marks for its history, landscapes and towns.

If travelers want to venture farther afield, Kolsky has two picks in Australia. She once resisted the idea of visiting the country, but now she sees it as a must-return destination. “In retrospect, I don't understand why. I can't wait to return.” She specifically recommends Sydney and Brisbane as hubs from which to explore Australia’s diverse coast and hinterland.

The Caribbean remains among the most popular cruise regions, but Kolsky emphasizes there is more to the region than the stereotypical sun-drenched beach day. “There's more to the Caribbean than rum cocktails and sitting on a beach,” she explains. “I fell in love with the Caribbean. I'm not a beach person, I don't swim, I can't bear the thought of just sitting on a beach, although I'll sit on the deck of a ship for hours.” She notes that each island has its own personality and that curious travelers can uncover a wealth of character and history by seeking out the right ports.

She also recalls Manaus, Brazil, on an Amazon cruise, describing the city on the Negro River as the bustling gateway to the vast rainforest. For Kolsky, the most rewarding ports are those that allow passengers to walk off the ship and directly into local life. “One of the things that makes ports so fabulous to visit is if you can walk off the ship and into the town — for example in Istanbul, Marseille, Split, Rhodes and more,” she says. Her advice to travelers remains practical and simple: pace yourself, listen to locals and follow curiosity down side streets, staircases and open doors.

Kolsky’s career as a cruise lecturer has taken her to a wide array of ports and cultures, shaping a philosophy of exploration that prioritizes authentic encounters over polished itineraries. Her experiences illustrate how even well-trodden sea routes can yield surprising discoveries when travelers choose to veer off the well-worn path and let the journey unfold at its own pace.