January 2021

On top of Öskjuhlíð hill, in the center of Reykjavík, Iceland, stands a ring of six tanks each holding up to more than a million gallons of geothermally heated water. Nearly 30 years ago, a huge glass dome was added in their midst, a multipurpose building — Perlan — that now contains a planetarium, an observation deck and a restaurant. Exhibitions are held there, too.

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Dear Globetrotter:

Welcome to the 538th issue of your monthly worldwide travel magazine.

Following is an excerpt from a letter submitted by Linda Vogel of Pomona, California:

"I had a happy experience with the travel insurance company Generali Global Assistance (San Diego, CA, 800/874-2442; www.generalitravelinsurance.com), from whom I had purchased insurance for a March 30-April 22 tour of Algeria, Tunisia and Malta that was subsequently canceled due to COVID-19. ..."

Following is an excerpt from a letter submitted by Susan Angel of San Rafael, California:

"My parents, Jean and Bud Marchant, and my husband, Jerry, and I were on the eve of embarking on a 12-day, September 2009 cruise from Istanbul to Venice when my father fell ill and was hospitalized in Istanbul. ..."

Thirty-eight countries are islands that border no other country.