The Learning & Discovery experiences on our Russian Waterways cruise on the Grand Circle Small Ship Cruises' M/S Rossia included:
- Russian language lessons - Understanding the Cyrillic characters and how to speak basic Russian words
- Russian handicrafts - Discussions of the various types of Russian handicrafts and artwork including the four types of lacquered boxes, Matryoshka nesting dolls, Russian linen, Gzhel ceramics, Pavlovo shawls, Russian valenki (boots), Beresta birch bark ware, Zhostovo trays, and Lomonosov porcelain
- Port talks on each of the towns we visited - Svirstroy, Kizhi, Yaroslavl, Uglich
- Russian history lessons - from ancient times to modern day
- Russian fairy tales
- Russian vodka - history and tasting
- Visit to the bridge with Captain Alexander
- Russian blini-making party
- Russian songs - Learning and singing different famous Russian songs
- Russian folk instrument presentation - Some passengers even took additional balalaika lessons
- Matryoshka painting
- Russian folk dance lessons