Valaam: Soul journey

It was the most ambitious railway project of the Soviet era. The whole plan was a large-scale battle of Man against Nature. But the war was lost with the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yet, many people continue to live on the land that had been claimed.

James Brown explores the Stavropol Region, home to some of Russia's most renown natural springs and health spas, where he takes a mud bath, lifts weights in Russia's oldest gym, learns how to paraglide goes mountain biking, plays the organ, visits a Greek lyre-maker, and meets Vladimir Putin's prize horse before scaling a cliff.  

We explore Chechnya, a republic of contrasts, and look at how the Chechen people have struck a balance between tradition and modernity.

James Brown heads to Russia's western exclave of Kaliningrad, where he discovers its architecture, its museums, and its Prussian heritage.

Adygea, like many of the North Caucasus is a land defined by its people. Their brand of hospitality, the passion for dancing and their traditions are unique, inspiring and a constant amazement even to a seasoned traveller like James Brown!

Sometimes we all feel like keeping a distance from everyone else, retreating to a remote corner of the world and living like a hermit. Few of us ever actually do it though. This young fisherwoman from the icy island of Sakhalin has opted for a life of solitude but was it really a choice?

Welcome to Murmansk – the gem of Russia’s North! This place is famous for its harsh climate and naval fleet, which includes nuclear icebreakers. But there are also lots of other interesting things to do and places to visit, including a snow village and reindeer.

Take your wishes and prayers straight to the sky with a charmed blue scarf. Dance to the music of a fiddle strung with horse hairs. Fall asleep to tales of invincible epic heroes. But if you are disrespectful of their holy tokens - don't count on the spirits' mercy.

Watch James Brown survive being attacked by snowballs and participate in an adrenaline car race amidst minus 50 degrees Celsius at the coldest inhabited place on Earth!

A writer steps in to save the identity of his people. The Nivkh are Russia’s Northern people, native to the island of Sakhalin. After their territory was discovered first by Russian, then Japanese explorers, their culture and language were put on the brink of extinction. Now, their chief has a plan for how they might be restored.

Welcome to Murmansk, the northernmost part of Russia! Aside from the freezing-cold winter temperatures, Murmansk enjoys the beauty of the Aurora Borealis, which lights up the region's long winter nights. 

The nomads, who lived here long ago, came up with an alternative form of music, which imitates the sounds of nature. Learn more about the Tyvans, one of the most ancient peoples of Siberia. 

Mandrogi, an unlikely riverside resort community, provides travellers with the opportunity to live as Russian villagers did in the 19th century. 

It's a long way to Khatystyr, but Roman must hurry as the whole village depends on him, especially a hurt reindeer who needs antibiotics brought from Yakutsk to survive, much like the reindeer are essential for the local Evenk people's existence.

James Brown finds plenty to explore in the Perm Region: a thriving city that's making an artistic statement, a legendary ice cave and an industrial center steeped in history are just a few highlights of his eventful journey.

James Brown has plenty to admire at in Chelyabinsk: a bustling city, stunning landscapes and magnificent mountains, as well as an amazing archaeological treasure. 

Shoina is a village drowned up to the waist in sand. Its denizens are quite fatalistic about it, and their only means of protection is leaving their door open for the night, as they can never be sure if they can open it in the morning.

There is no peace, but no war either on the Kuril islands. These territories have become a stumbling stone for Russia and Japan, but who were the people who lived their originally?

Take a trip to the heart of Russia! RTDoc’s Sophie Shevardnadze shows you parts of Moscow Kremlin hidden from public view, discovers the top secrets and visits the hidden rooms of one of the world's most iconic fortresses!