Polar Bears

RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: March 24

White Rock

Located near the village of Belaya Skala, which stands for White Rock in Russian, in the Belogorsk District, this majestic vertical rocky wall towers over the valley of the Biyuk-Karasu River. Its summit is 325 m above sea level, and 100 m above the valley. The upper part of the rock is trenched with natural pillars, grottoes and rounded niches developed as a result of weathering. At the bottom of the rock, above the thickets of wild rose and hornbeam, you can see the products of weathering — rockslide debris, piles of boulders and erosion hollows.

Tag: Favourites tag
Date: March 9

On St. Isaac's Square

St. Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, Russia, is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in the city and a masterpiece of Neoclassical architecture. Completed in 1858 after 40 years of construction, it currently functions primarily as a museum, though it still holds religious services on major ecclesiastical occasions. The massive central dome is gilded with over 100kg of gold leaf and dominates the city skyline. The inside is decorated with 14 kinds of marble, malachite, and lapis lazuli. It contains over 600 square meters of mosaics and 103 monumental paintingsn.Visitors can climb 262 steps to reach an observation deck offering 360-degree views of Saint Petersburg.

Unesco: Historic Centre of Saint Petersburg and Related Groups of Monuments
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: Feb 27

Kazan Kremlin

Built on an ancient site, the Kazan Kremlin dates from the Muslim period of the Golden Horde and the Kazan Khanate. It was conquered by Ivan the Terrible in 1552 and became the Christian See of the Volga Land. The only surviving Tatar fortress in Russia and an important place of pilgrimage, the Kazan Kremlin consists of an outstanding group of historic buildings dating from the 16th to 19th centuries, integrating remains of earlier structures of the 10th to 16th centuries.

Unesco: Historic and Architectural Complex of the Kazan Kremlin
RR: Monthly favourite surprise RR - January 2026
Date: Jan 25

Jade Valley

The Jade Valley in Yamal is located in the Polar Urals, within the Yamal Peninsula, in the Ingilor National Park, 100 km from Salekhard. It is known for its stunning subarctic landscapes and as a significant site for nephrite jade deposits, part of Russia's rich Ural Mountains sources.

RR: 10  Countries RR (20)
Date: Oct 25

Polar Bear

A beautiful polar bear from Russia.Thank you Natalia!
Date: August 4

Iturup

Iturup is the largest island in the Kuril Islands, boasting unique nature and a complex history. Its landscape is shaped by volcanoes, dense coniferous forests, and picturesque calderas, including the famous Ilya Muromets waterfall. The island is rich in natural resources, notably a rhenium deposit on Kudryavy volcano. The shores of the island are high and abrupt and is marked by white pumice cliffs and black hexagonal pillars.

Tag: Favourites tag
Date: Nov 11

Belukha Mountain

Spring Akkem and Belukha Mountain, Altai.

Belukha Mountain is the highest peak of the Altai Mountains in Russia and the highest of the South Siberian Mountains system. It is part of the Golden Mountains of Altai World Heritage Site. Located in the Altai Republic, Belukha is a three-peaked mountain massif that rises along the border of Russia and Kazakhstan, just a few dozen miles north of the point where this border meets with the border of China. The surrounding terrain includes rugged alpine valleys and is in close proximity to the Katun River, which flows northwest from the range, and Lake Akkem, a turquoise lake situated at the base of the mountain's northern slopes. 

Unesco: Golden Mountains of Altai
Tag: Favourites tag
Date: July 29

Iturup

White rocks on the island of Iturup. The sea of Okhotsk.

Iturup is the largest island in the Kuril Islands, boasting unique nature and a complex history. Its landscape is shaped by volcanoes, dense coniferous forests, and picturesque calderas, including the famous Ilya Muromets waterfall. The island is rich in natural resources, notably a rhenium deposit on Kudryavy volcano. The shores of the island are high and abrupt and is marked by white pumice cliffs and black hexagonal pillars.

RR: November alternative RR
Date: Nov 11

From Russia

Art by Julia Nepriyatel.

Distance: 2,837 km
Travel time: 137 days

Wolves

Russia has one of the world's largest wolf populations, competing with Canada.
Distance: 3,616 km
Travel time: 33 days

Golden Gate

The Golden Gate is a significant monument of ancient Russian architecture and one of the symbols of the city of Vladimir. Built in 1164 by order of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky, they served not only as a defensive structure, but also as a triumphal arch that formed the main entrance to the rich part of the city. Today the Golden Gate is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the main attractions of Vladimir. A museum inside focuses on the history of the Mongol invasion of Russia in the 13th century.

Unesco: White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal
RR: 10 Countries RR (20)
Date: July 5