Iceland volcano amazes

The glow from the bubbling hot lava spewing out of the Fagradalsfjall volcano can be seen from the outskirts of Iceland's capital, Reykjavik, 20 miles away. But this is the Reykjanes Peninsula's first eruption of any volcano in around 800 years, and nothing quite matches the exhilaration of bearing witness to the Earth's raw power up close and personal. Fagradals­fjall itself is made up of the Icelandic words for "beautiful valley mountain." Getting to the peak is not for everyone. It's an arduous climb, taking two to three hours, but for Associated Press photographer Miguel Angel Morenatti, it's been an experience that his five senses have never known. Morenatti hopes the photos he took capture some of this "wonder of nature." Iceland is open to travelers who can show proof of vaccination against COVID-19.

Associated Press

E.U. will open to vaccinated

The European Union agreed Wednesday to reopen its borders to visitors who have been fully vaccinated with an approved shot and to those coming from a list of countries considered safe from a coronavirus perspective, permitting broader travel just in time for the summer tourism season. Depending on how well each country has prepared to welcome tourists, the new rules could be implemented immediately. Some countries, like Greece, have already said that they will remove testing and quarantine requirements for vaccinated visitors. The E.U. has been discussing with U.S. officials the possibility of making U.S.-issued vaccine certificates acceptable in the bloc, even as questions persist about the use of such documents.

New York Times

COVID-tested flights to Italy

Vacationers can fly to Italy again with the loosening of that country's travel restrictions paired with COVID-tested flights. As of May 16, the Italian government is allowing leisure travelers from the United States to visit Italy if they take COVID-tested flights, according to Delta Air Lines, which offers such flights from Atlanta to Rome and from New York to Rome and Milan. American Airlines also now operates COVID-tested flights from New York to Milan and Rome. American said anyone can now fly on those flights, whether traveling for leisure or business. Delta says it will also launch flights from Atlanta to Venice starting Aug. 5, along with flights from Boston to Rome. Delta plans to also add Venice to its New York flight schedule starting July 2.

Cox News Service

Courtney Pedroza • Chicago Tribune, Star Tribune
The Leading Lady floats down the Chicago River on an architecture tour.

Chicago boat tours return

They don't call Chicago the Third Coast for nothing. From the Chicago Architecture Center's river cruises to those little, bright green kayaks, boat tours and rentals are reopening. "We expect to be really busy," said Urban Kayaks co-owner James Morro ($30-$40; urbankayaks.com). The popular long-running cruises by the CAC returned to the water this month. The 90-minute tours are narrated by the center's volunteer docents aboard Chicago's First Lady vessels, including the Leading Lady, and have new sights to see along the way this summer, including the St. Regis Tower and the refurbished Old Post Office ($48.18 and up; architecture.org). Meanwhile, Wendella's 90-minute architecture tours on both the river and lakefront, as well as its sunset and Saturday fireworks tours, are up and running ($39; wendellaboats.com).

Chicago Tribune