This Russian diner is staffed entirely by twins.

During the Soviet era, the medieval capital of Volga Bulgaria served as a substitute for Mecca.

One of the notorious Soviet leader Joseph Stalin's many summer retreats.

For lovers of Soviet cinema, this museum is home to a vast collection of artifacts and costumes.

These tiny cabins on a cableway have been carrying visitors at a Baltic resort down to the beach since 1912.

A magnificent, Disneyesque chateau built for 150 lucky kindergarteners.

A tea party concludes each visit to this Russian spice cookie sanctum.

Thanks to this small string of islands World War II still hasn't officially ended between Russia and Japan.

An abandoned 14th-century castle and prison complex on a small island in the Neva River.

An art museum inside an active factory.

A small and surprising passageway in Saint Petersburg devoted to the Beatles.

Two islands just 4 km apart separated by an International Border and Date Line.

A uniquely authentic display of traditional Russian culture.

This remote lake in Siberia supposedly contains a fearsome sea monster.

Replica of mosque destroyed by Russia in the 16th century.

Unusual, mushroom-like rock formations caused by weathering and water erosion, set to disappear, according to geologists.

No one knows why ancient labyrinths were built on this tiny northern island.

A dormant lightning machine equal to all the power in Russia.

A Marxist summer camp full of fantastical statues lies tucked away and forgotten in the forests of Moscow.

Some of the world's only freshwater seals live in one very special lake in Russia.

A remote forest of stone pillars along the Lena river.

The world's second-largest excavated hole.

Once frequented by heavyweights of the Russian arts scene, this café is stuck in the 1800s.

Secret Soviet city once home to Russian cosmonauts and space training facilities.