For the discerning traveller tired of overcrowded hotspots, the real joy lies in uncovering places few others visit. According to one well-travelled expert, it's the self-discovered details that create the most memorable journeys.
The Philosophy of Discovery: 'See a Door, Go In'
Rachel Kolsky, 67, from Kenton in Harrow, Middlesex, has made a career out of finding the world's most underrated and often untouched cities. Working as a lecturer on cruise ships since 2009, she has shared her insights with passengers on lines including Fred Olsen, Cunard, Oceania, Saga River, and Viking, travelling everywhere from Italy to Australia.
Her golden rule for exploration is beautifully simple. "If you see a door, go in. The worst that's going to happen is they're going to ask you to leave," she advises. "See a staircase, go up. See an alleyway…" This mindset, honed alongside her work as a London tour guide, has led her to some extraordinary places.
Rachel's Top Underrated Destinations
Her most recent favourite discovery is Chioggia, a town less than two hours from Venice. During a cruise, a Venetian guide famously told her not to bother coming into the city if she was berthed in Chioggia. Taking the advice, she found a "little Venice" full of canals, gorgeous orange and pink houses, and little boats. The town was so picture-perfect that friends assumed her photos were from Venice itself.
"It's got that Venetian feel to it. I absolutely loved it," Rachel says. The town offers boat trips around the bays and a vibrant fish market, securing its place as one of her new favourite spots.
Another Italian gem is the port city of Livorno on Tuscany's west coast. As the birthplace of artist Modigliani, it offers culture without the intense crowds of nearby Florence or Pisa, especially during high season. She also praises the faded grandeur of Sicily, specifically mentioning Segesta and Agrigento, which she first visited in the 1980s.
Venturing Beyond Italy: Croatia, Greece & Beyond
Her recommendations extend across Europe. She fell in love with the Greek island of Rhodes and is a huge advocate for Croatia as a whole country. "There's something for everybody," she explains. "The most amazing history, phenomenal historic sites including Roman sites, phenomenal countryside, vistas, and great towns." She singles out Split as a particular highlight.
For those willing to travel further, Rachel highly recommends Australia, a destination she initially resisted but now can't wait to revisit, specifically praising Sydney and Brisbane.
She also champions the Caribbean, emphasising that there's more to it than rum and beaches. "Every island has its own personality. And again, if you seek out, you'll find all manner of wonderful things."
One of her most unique finds is Manaus in Brazil, the 'Gateway to the Amazon', which she visited on an Amazon cruise. For Rachel, the best ports are those where you can simply walk off the ship and into the town, as you can in Istanbul, Marseille, Split, and Rhodes.
Her ultimate travel wisdom, from a professional discoverer, is to embrace the unknown. The little, self-found discoveries, she insists, are what become the highlights of any trip.
