The biggest decision of my life, which was to get married and move to Italy.


Best oven roasted broccoli

One good thing about the holidays is I can add all the creamy bake dishes I want and just
say “Well it’s the holidays”. So that, my friends, is what I am saying and I am sticking to it.
Before I made the biggest decision of my life, which was to get married and move to Italy,
my husband spent some time in Toronto, (actually that is where we met) getting to know
my family and friends and of course enjoying my Mom’s cooking. One of his favourite
dishes was this Broccoli Casserole. I was never a big broccoli fan but done this way it
is easy to become one. Needless to say this is one of many recipes that I took with me to
my new country. How to make Broccoli Cheese Casserole. Cook the broccoli florets in
boiling water for about 10 minutes, drain well. In a medium large pot over low heat melt
the butter, then whisk in the flour and salt, combine until smooth. Then slowly add the milk
and continue to whisk until thickened and starts to boil. Remove the pot from the heat.


Tips on Roasting Broccoli Steaks. “Steak” Slices for the broccoli: For each broccoli head,
you might get about 2-3 “steak” slices. You’ll definitely be getting some loose florets but
those will roast deliciously. Boiling the broccoli first: For a more “tender or soft” broccoli,
you can par boil the broccoli steaks. Just boil them for about 1 minute. Then drain and
remove all excess water. From there you can season them according to the recipe
directions and roast. Using different cheeses will make this even more exceptional.
We use parmesan cheese because we love the flavor. But other cheeses are fantastic
too like grated sharp cheddar, asiago cheese, grated smoked gouda and even blue
cheese. Yum!


How to Boil Broccoli. Boiling is one of the easiest ways to cook broccoli, especially if you’re
trying to cut down on fats. Follow these simple directions on how to boil broccoli and you’ll
get delicious florets every time! There’s no denying the mouthwatering appeal of the vibrant
green, tender-crisp florets that you get from boiling. Here are the tips I use when making
boiled broccoli. Keep this in mind, and you’ll consistently deliver the best boiled broccoli
around. First, fresh, high quality produce is always going to taste better. Inspect broccoli
for any brown spots, and test the stems. They should be springy and not limp. Second,
always add salt to the water! Salt will enrich the flavors of anything you boil. Third, don’t
overfill the pot. Water takes a long time to boil because it has a high heat capacity. Save
yourself some time and money by using just enough water.


Eat broccoli raw to get the most nutrients out of it. Broccoli contains a compound called
sulforaphane, which has been shown to help prevent cancer and promotes detoxification in
the body. Your body absorbs more sulforaphane from raw broccoli than from cooked
broccoli because cooking it locks some of the compound in. Broccoli is also high in fiber,
potassium, iron, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B-6, and vitamin A. It contains more protein
than other vegetables as well. Wash broccoli and separate the florets before eating it raw.
Rinse the whole head of broccoli under cool running water to clean it. Pick off any leaves
and use a knife to cut the large stem away from the head. Pull apart the individual florets
or cut them apart where they connect at the bases. You can also eat the stem by cutting
off the very bottom part, shaving the outside layer off with a paring knife or vegetable
peeler, then cutting the stem into bite-sized medallions.


Broccoli Recipes with. Neither die-hard fans nor picky eaters will be able to resist these
recipes with broccoli, including cheesy breakfasts, crunchy sides and creamy dinners. Nutty
Broccoli Slaw. My daughter gave me the recipe for this delightful salad. The sweet dressing
nicely coats a crisp blend of broccoli slaw mix, onions, almonds and sunflower kernels.
Crushed ramen noodles provide even more crunch. It’s a smash hit wherever I take it. —Dora
Mae Clapsaddle, Kensington, Ohio. From the Recipe Creator: This delicious chicken and
broccoli casserole recipe is a twist on chicken divan that came from an old boss. It’s quick,
satisfying comfort food. —Jennifer Schlachter, Big Rock, Illinois Nutrition Facts: 1-1/3 cups:
317 calories, 13g fat (5g saturated fat), 62mg cholesterol, 899mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate
(4g sugars, 1g fiber), 21g protein.


Cruise company offers four year trip around the world to "Skip Forward" As more Americans
seek to leave the country to escape the next Trump presidency, a US-based cruise company
is offering a less drastic solution – but at a hefty price. On Nov 7, a day after Donald Trump
was declared as the 47th president of the US, residential cruise operator Villa Vie Residences
announced its four-year “Skip Forward” package that will take passengers around the world
on its Villa Vie Odyssey cruise liner. Passengers will have to fork out US$159,999 (S$215,
300) per person for a double-occupancy room, while single occupancy will cost US$255,999.
The voyage will take passengers to all seven continents, with visits to over 425 ports
across 140 countries.


Videos of 2024 Senior Cruise Deals



The appetite for expedition cruises isn’t going anywhere. Journeys to far-flung places,
onboard small vessels accompanied by expert teams, are more popular than ever.
Exhilarating new itineraries are announced every year: Colombia’s mighty Magdalena River,
Kerala’s temples and backwater lagoons, and Greenland’s otherworldly hiking sites —
these are just some of the most exciting new expedition cruises for 2025 and beyond.
We highlight six of our favourites.



1. See the Northern Lights in East Greenland Sail the world’s largest and longest fjord
system, Scoresby Sund, on this micro expedition cruise hosting just 12 guests. The 10-
day journey takes place on the MV Vikingfjord, with passengers flying from Reykjavík to
the isolated Constable Point airstrip before travelling by Zodiac to reach the vessel. The
itinerary incorporates a range of adventures and experiences, including husky-feeding
and hikes across otherworldly landscapes. Along with trips to remote settlements such
as Ittoqqortoormiit, there’s the chance to see the aurora borealis with zero light pollution
in Scoresby Sund itself, which is blocked by sea ice for nine months of the year.
Departures between August and October 2025, from £8,339 per person, excluding
return charter flight from Reykjavík to Constable Point.



2. Explore the backwaters of Kerala. In 2025, boutique river cruise specialist Pandaw will
launch a new ship and itinerary tracing the Kerala backwaters, a web of palm-fringed canals
and lagoons spanning the country’s south west. Featuring a wraparound promenade deck, al
fresco dining and teak-and-brass accommodation, the 10-cabin Kochi Pandaw will sail a
circular route from Kochi, home to Ernakulam Shiva Temple and the 16th-century Paradesi
Synagogue, the oldest in India. The journey takes in the traditional boatyards of Kavalam,
the crescent beaches of the Malabar Coast and the city of Kumarakom, where guests can
visit a bird sanctuary that’s home to more than 180 species, including cuckoos and
woodpeckers, as well as a nearby craft museum. Weekly departures throughout September,
October and November 2025, from £4,999 per person including international flights.



3. Encounter Tasmania’s greatest assets Discover hidden archipelagos where the only
permanent inhabitants include Bennett’s wallabies, wombats, potoroos, possums and
pademelons while circumnavigating the island of Tasmania on AE Expeditions’ new small
ship Douglas Mawson, which is purpose-built for global expeditions and features several
single berth cabins to cater for solo travellers. This 11-day round-trip departing from
Hobart, Australia, includes access to epic coastal tracks, temperate rainforests and
pristine beaches, as well as little-known walking and hiking trails on Bruny, Flinders
and Maria islands. On-board experts are on hand to provide immersive insights, while
guests scan the landscape for fur seal colonies and the sky for wandering albatross
from one of the ship’s many observation areas, and delve into activities including hiking,
Zodiac cruising, wildlife-watching and kayaking. The Coastal Tasmania: Untamed
Wilderness cruise sails on 1 December 2025, from £6,236 per person for an Aurora
Stateroom Twin, including shore excursions and all meals. Flights and transfers excluded.



4. Be immersed in history on a Colombian river cruise. In 2025, AmaWaterways will become
the first major river cruise line to navigate Colombia via the 949-mile Magdalena River. Two
newly designed ships, the 60-passenger AmaMagdalena and the 64-passenger AmaMelodia,
will sail between the cities of Cartagena and Barranquilla, stopping at UNESCO World
Heritage Sites such as Cartagena’s San Felipe Castle, a 17th-century hilltop fortress where
visitors can explore underground tunnels that once protected Spanish soldiers from French
and British forces. Other highlights include birdwatching amid the vibrant habitats outside
Magangué, a trip to the striking Carnival Museum in bohemian Barranquilla and an excursion
to the floating village of Nueva Venecia, where even the churches rest on stilts. Passengers
will also spend time cruising the Magdalena River Basin — home to the brown spider monkey
and other species found nowhere else on Earth. Departures every month in 2025. Seven-
nights from £4,630 per person including flights.



5. Discover the Falkland Islands and Antarctica Albatros Expeditions’ new Southern Ocean
Odyssey combines ethereal beauty and rugged adventure on a 15-day voyage to two of the
planet’s least-visited destinations. Departing from the Uruguayan capital of Montevideo, the
93-stateroom Ocean Victory then heads southwards to the Falkland Islands (also known as
the Islas Malvinas), where British imports such as fish and chips and red telephone boxes
exist alongside penguin colonies and albatross-studded skies. Next is the Drake Passage,
the gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula, where glittering bays are fringed by frigid seas that
are home to everything from humpback whales and orca to leopard seals. Passengers are
encouraged to engage in as much off-ship exploration as possible, with the Expedition
Team offering insightful lectures on history, biology and conservation in between shore
landings and Zodiac safaris. Onboard, there’s a spa, gym, library and also a lounge that’s
the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon tea, though travellers are likely to be pretty
distracted by what’s happening outside. Sails on 3 November 2025, from $15,795 per
person (£12,196), exluding flights.



6. Get off the beaten track in Indonesia. Setting sail from Tanjung Benoa, a temple-strewn
port town just south of Bali’s capital Denpasar, Scenic’s new 16-day Discover Komodo & the
Spice Islands itinerary takes passengers away from the typical tourist routes to some of
the archipelago’s most remote corners. Cruising on the 228-guest ‘discovery’ yacht Scenic
Eclipse II, guests will visit ring-shaped Satonda Island and walk among the powerful
Komodo dragons — males can reach 10ft in length and weigh as much as 300lbs — that
have roamed its forests for millions of years. The trip then heads to the Raja Ampat Islands
to explore the sapphire shoals by Zodiac, before moving on to the white sands of the Kai
Islands and concludes in Darwin, the capital of Australia’s Northern Territory. Sails on 6
July 2025, from £10,645 per person including flights.



Today, the town of Ravenna is one of Emilia-Romagna’s most important economic and
industrial centers. Its thriving port serves the chemical, gas, and shipping industries. The
nearby coastline attracts visitors looking for a slower pace and quiet escape under a beach
umbrella. And the town of Ravenna itself is a great place to explore by bike. But first things
first: Visiting Ravenna’s impressive ancient monuments means experiencing the splendor
of a bygone age unique on the Italian peninsula. Fifteen hundred years ago, Ravenna
became the center of a thriving culture not seen before or since. This small city on Italy’s
Adriatic coast formed the capital for three distinct ancient cultures. As these ancient
powers rose and fell, Ravenna also became Italy’s most significant capital of mosaic art.



In ancient times the Adriatic lay nearer Ravenna, which rested on coastal lagoons that later
silted up. The earliest inhabitants of Ravenna were probably Italic peoples who moved
southward from Aquileia about 1400 bce. According to tradition, it was occupied by the
Etruscans and later by the Gauls. It came under Roman control in 191 bce and soon became
important because it possessed one of the few good port sites on the northeastern coast
of Italy. The Roman emperor Augustus built the port of Classis, about 3 miles (5 km)
from the city, and by the 1st century bce Ravenna had become the base for Rome’s naval
fleet. "Traveling from Ravenna Cruise Terminal to Venice can be tiring if you’re faced
with a noisy and crowded bus service. Save yourself the potential stress by planning ahead
and prebooking a private transfer. Your personal driver waits at the cruise terminal exit with
your name sign, then you can ride directly to a convenient Venice drop-off point. Easy way
to get from Ravenna Cruise Terminal to Venice Driver meet-and-greet is included Travel
comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle The pickup time is planned around your travel
schedule"



San Vitale is one of the most important surviving examples of Eastern Roman “Byzantine”
Empire architecture and mosaic work. It was begun in 526 or 527 under Ostrogothic rule.
It was consecrated in 547 and completed soon after. San Vitale, begun c. late 520s,
consecrated 547, mosaics date between 546 and 556. The Church was restored 1540s,
1900, 1904, and in the 1930s, Ravenna, Italy. One of the most famous images of political
authority from the “middle ages“ is the mosaic of the Emperor Justinian and his court in
the sanctuary of the church of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy. This image is an integral
part of a much larger mosaic program in the chancel (the space around the altar).



Mosaics in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna (6th century) The sumptuous mosaics that
cover the walls of the nave in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo reflect the dominant role that mosaics
had assumed in the churches of the Christian East. The mosaics are divided into three
tiers. The lowest tier, below the clerestory windows, comprises processions of figures
against a continuous gold background: to the south, male martyrs advance from
Theodoric's palace towards Christ enthroned; to the north, female martyrs set out from
the port of Classis towards the Virgin and Child enthroned, who are adored by the Magi.
Between the windows in the second tier are 32 isolated figures of Apostles and Prophets.
The topmost tier consists of 26 panels, 13 on each side, of which those on the left relate
to Christ's ministry and those on the right to his Passion and Resurrection.



The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia occupies part of the same complex as the Basilica di San
Vitale in Ravenna city centre. Built in the fifth century, it's one of eight sites, including the
Basilica, that make up the Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna UNESCO World Heritage
listing. Although one of the smaller sites, it's one of the most memorable with its
breathtaking mosaics. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, located in Ravenna, Italy, is an
exquisite early Christian monument and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite its name,
it is not actually the burial place of Galla Placidia, but it is a remarkable mausoleum
and a testament to the art and architecture of the Late Roman and early Byzantine periods.



Ravenna, Italy cruise calendar 2024-2025 provides the opportunity to search arrival and
departure schedules of cruise ships arriving in this port. The timetable displays dates and
times cruise ships are scheduled to dock in port in two separate columns for arrivals and
departures with the name of the ship, cruise operator, and maximum passenger capacity.
Please note, the following cruise port schedule is created on updated itineraries from
the following cruise lines: Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International,
Norwegian Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas, Oceania Cruises,
Marella Cruises, TUI, P&O Cruises, Aida Cruises, Costa Cruises, Princess Cruises,
Cunard Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, Viking and
Fred Olsen Cruise



Ravenna nightlife offers an array of experiences that harmonize vibrant local culture with
leisure and excitement. From enjoying a glass of wine in a bustling bar to dancing the night
away at a trendy club, every moment in Ravenna after dusk is a chance to create lasting
memories.