Russia — Travelrags

Atlas ObscuraOct 16, 2026

Where to See the World’s Most Famous Preserved Body Parts

Sure, you’ve seen a dead body before, but have you ever seen a thumb preserved in salt? How about a saint’s heart shrouded in gold? Beyond the normal displays of skeletons in medical museums and holy leaders’ bodies in churches and temples, there’s a whole world of bits and pieces to explore. Throughout history, body parts have been taken as trophies during wartime, worshipped as miraculous hea…

17 things in this story

Sourtoe CocktailPlaceDawson City, Canadadrink with a preserved toe at a saloon
Museum of SinMuseumTambov, Russiaexhibition of body parts showing effects of vice
Preserved Head of Diogo AlvesSightLisbon, Portugalpreserved head of a serial killer
National Museum of Health and MedicineMuseumSilver Spring, United Statesmuseum with medical instruments and anatomical specimens
Lindow ManSightLondon, United Kingdombog body found in England
Mütter MuseumMuseumPhiladelphia, United Statescollection of medical oddities
St. Anthony’s TongueSightPadua, Italypreserved tongue of a saint
Transi de René de ChalonSightBar-le-Duc, Francegrotesque statue of a decaying corpse
Chopin’s HeartSightWarsaw, Polandpreserved heart of a composer
St. Valentine’s Shoulder BladeSightPrague, Czechiasupposed shoulder bone of a saint
Galileo’s Middle FingerSightFlorence, Italypreserved middle finger of an astronomer
St. Catherine’s Severed HeadSightSiena, Italypreserved head of a saint
Buddha Tooth Relic Temple & MuseumMuseumSingaporetemple displaying a supposed Buddha's tooth
Kingship and SacrificeMuseumDublin, Irelandexhibition of bog bodies and artifacts
Grave of Captain Jones’ LegSightWashington, United StatesIn 1804, a man named Captain Samuel Jones was doing construction work when his leg became pinned between a building and…
Atlas Obscura’s Guide to America’s Most Haunted CemeteriesPlaceNew York, United Statesguide to haunted cemeteries
Grave of Captain Jones's LegSightWashington, United States

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BBC TravelAug 22

What it's like to hike the Arctic's most closely monitored border

A series of scenic paths trace the Norwegian-Russian border. But as you trek through the tundra and forests, you may notice watchtowers and cameras hanging in trees.

10 things in this story

Pasvik RiverSightriver runs parallel to a public hiking trail
Norwegian-Russian borderTrail198km-long line separating Norway and Russia
RussehøgdaSighthillside overlooking Storskog border crossing
Storskog border crossingSightonly legal land border between the countries
Kirkenes ToursPlaceoffers year-round walking excursions along the border
Havila VoyagesPlaceleading visitors to this area since 2000
HurtigrutenFerry terminalNorwegian Border tour is most popular excursion
Boris Gleb ChurchSightRussian Orthodox church dates to the 12th-Century
Russia War MonumentSightcommemorates liberation from Nazi occupation
Borderland MuseumMuseumhighlights intermixing of Norwegians, Finns, and Russians

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BBC TravelJul 20

The lonely road to Europe's Arctic edge

This Arctic journey takes travellers further east than Moscow, through a landscape of empty beaches, seabirds and forgotten villages where Europe finally runs out.

6 things in this story

E75TrailKirkenes, Norwayshore-hugging road to Europe's Arctic edge
E6TrailOslo, NorwayNorway's longest road
Nesseby ChurchPlace of worshipNesseby, NorwayIt is located in the village of Nesseby, overlooking the Varangerfjorden.
Varanger Scenic RouteTrailVarangerbotn, Norwayfollows E75 and Fv341 for 160km
Steilneset MemorialSightVardø, Norwaymemorial reclaiming stories of 17th-century witches
Fv341TrailVardø, Norwaynorthbound road hugging the coastline

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BBC TravelJul 19

Road Trips

This Arctic journey takes travellers further east than St Petersburg, through a landscape of empty beaches, seabirds and forgotten villages where Europe finally runs out. Located almost entirely in ...

3 things in this story

Route 66RestaurantSpringfield, United Stateslegendary name was born in Springfield
Angel DelgadilloPlaceSeligman, United Stateswelcomes travellers to Seligman, Arizona
Fairy Tale RouteTrailGermany600km route in Germany

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National GeographicMay 2, 2023

Cafe culture: celebrating 20 of Europe's greatest cafes

Cafes are part of the fabric of European culture. For centuries they’ve been where political rebellions have started, and where writers, artists and other great thinkers have exchanged ideas. The ...

20 restaurants in this story

Schwarzes CaféPubBerlin, GermanyOpen 24 hours, popular for breakfasts.
Café SacherCaféVienna, AustriaFamous for its original Sachertorte chocolate cake.
Café de la PaixRestaurantParis, FranceHistoric site with gold columns and frescoes.
Sally Lunn'sRestaurantBath, United KingdomServes Bath buns in one of the oldest houses.
Pastéis de BelémRestaurantLisbon, PortugalSells 20,000 pastéis de nata daily.
Bewley's Grafton StreetCaféDublin, IrelandShop Bewley's tea & coffee online and enjoy sustainable Fairtrade products roasted locally in Ireland.
Antico Caffe GrecoRestaurantRome, ItalyRome's oldest coffee shop, decorated with paintings.
Caffè FlorianCaféVenice, ItalyWorld's oldest operating coffee house.
Cafe PushkinRestaurantMoscow, RussiaRestaurant with 19th-century Russian aristocrat's home decor.
Grand CafeRestaurantOslo, NorwayMural depicts Munch and Ibsen.
Mackintosh at The WillowCaféGlasgow, United KingdomOnly remaining tea room by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
Kavarna SlaviaCaféPrague, CzechiaOffers views of Prague Castle and Charles Bridge.
Cafe GijónCaféMadrid, SpainMeeting point for writers and artists.
Café AméricainCaféAmsterdam, The NetherlandsClassic art deco interiors with Tiffany lamps.
Café GerbeaudCaféBudapest, HungaryOne of Budapest's best patisseries.
Cafe MajesticRestaurantPorto, PortugalCurving marble facade with cherub sculptures.
Café CentralCaféVienna, AustriaViennese landmark frequented by intellectuals.
Cafe ProcopeRestaurantParis, FranceCredited with popularising cafe culture in France.
New York CafeCaféBudapest, HungaryOpulent space restored with gold leaf and murals.
Conditori La GlaceBakeryCopenhagen, DenmarkOldest pastry shop in Copenhagen.

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National GeographicJan 3, 2010

Russia Photos

See photos of Russia (including Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, Siberia, and more) in this travel photo gallery from National Geographic.

2 sights in this story

Red SquareSightIt is located in Moscow's historic centre, along the eastern walls of the Kremlin.
St. Basil's CathedralPlace of worshipИстория и коллекции крупнейшего музея России, информация о музейном комплексе.

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