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I enjoyed hiking around Torres del Paine National Park.Isabel Vasquez LarsonIn 2022, I quit my job to backpack through South America for 10 weeks with my partner.We visited 16 cities across eight countries, and even saw one of the Seven Wonders of the World.One of my favorite cities was Buenos Aires — the sightseeing, shopping, and food were incredible.In the summer of 2022, I quit my full-time job to spend 10 weeks backpacking through South America with my then-boyfriend (now-husband).Consumed by the travel bug, we packed up all our belongings and moved them from our Miami apartment to a storage unit before hitting the road, visiting 16 cities across eight countries.The whole trip was incredible, but four places hold a special place in my memory. From ancient wonders and bustling cities to breathtaking mountains, each of these destinations has a unique draw that would bring me back in a heartbeat.I knew I'd love Buenos Aires as soon as we arrivedWe enjoyed visiting the Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays.Isabel Vasquez LarsonI couldn't quite place my finger on why, but as soon as we arrived in Buenos Aires, I had a feeling I'd love the city — and I was right.On the cab ride from the airport to the hotel, we passed long stretches of waterside parks with miles of bike lanes. I enjoyed seeing how bike-friendly the city is — there's even a system in place where riders can rent them for free.Beyond being a cyclists' paradise, Buenos Aires was full of energy, with no shortage of fun things to do and neighborhoods to explore.During our time there, my partner and I enjoyed visiting a free botanical garden (Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays), shopping at street fairs, touring the underground tunnels (El Zanjón), and savoring delicious Argentine steak.By the end of our 10-week trip, most of the cities started to blur together, but Buenos Aires still stands out from the rest.Ushuaia, Argentina, cemented my love for this geographically diverse countryThe views from the plane ride were incredible.Isabel Vasquez LarsonFrom Buenos Aires, we flew south to Ushuaia, Argentina. We were immediately greeted by a blizzard, and the snow-capped mountain views were unlike anything I'd seen before.We tried to be as budget-conscious as possible on our trip, but in Ushuaia, we spontaneously splurged on a private plane ride over Tierra del Fuego National Park. I never imagined I'd be on a tiny plane with a bird's-eye view of both Chile and Argentina, but sometimes the most unexpected experiences turn out to be the best.Another highlight of Ushuaia was the boat tour we took through the Beagle Channel. We spent a couple of hours on the water, taking in breathtaking mountain views, as well as a picturesque lighthouse, sea lions, and even elephant seals.Sadly, we missed penguin season by less than a month, so I'd love to return sometime between October and March to do a penguin boat tour.In Puerto Natales, Chile, the hiking and views were unrealI enjoyed hiking around Torres del Paine National Park.Isabel Vasquez LarsonPuerto Natales, Chile, is located in the Patagonia region of South America.We spent about two hours traveling from our hostel in the city to Torres del Paine National Park. During the journey, I squealed with excitement as we passed herds of guanacos (close relatives of llamas), gasped in awe at the mountains, and held my breath as our little rental sedan drove over unpaved, rocky roads.And when we arrived, I thoroughly enjoyed hiking up mountains, around lakes, and past icebergs. It was the first (and as of now, only) time I've seen a glacier — a paradise for true outdoor adventure lovers like myself.Machu Picchu was everything it's cracked up to be and moreMachu Picchu was just as breathtaking as I'd imagined.Isabel Vasquez LarsonIt may not come as a surprise to see Machu Picchu on this list — it's one of the New Seven Wonders of the World for a reason.What caught me by…

Waymo is opening its robotaxi service to the Miami public, covering 60 sqaure miles of Florida's second most populous city.Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesWaymo will be accepting public riders within a 60-square-mile area of Miami starting Thursday.The company will start with a limited number of riders before expanding to the general public.Waymo said it plans to expand to highways and more riders later this year.Waymo is expanding its robotaxi service to Miami on Thursday, putting the Alphabet-backed company another step ahead of competitors racing to deploy fully autonomous cars in the US.A company spokesperson told Business Insider that Waymo will invite users in Miami gradually before expanding the service to everyone. More than 10,000 residents have signed up, according to Waymo.The initial service area will cover 60 square miles. This includes the Miami's core corridor: Design District, Wynwood, Brickell, and Coral Gables.Waymo's geofence in Miami includes 60 square miles of the region but excludes Miami Beach.WaymoFor now, the geofence does not include Miami Beach. The company said it has plans to expand to Miami International Airport."We're excited to offer its residents and visitors a safe, reliable, and magical way to move around and look forward to earning their trust with every ride," Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana said in a statement.Here's what you should know.How many robotaxis is Waymo deploying in Miami?A Waymo spokesperson didn't disclose a specific number for the initial Miami deployment but said that the service will start with a limited number of vehicles before expanding.When will Waymo be available to everyone within the Miami coverage area?Waymo will be opening the service to everyone later in 2026, according to the spokesperson.The spokesperson did not share how many riders Waymo will invite for the initial launch.Can Waymo's robotaxis take the highways in Miami?For now, Waymo's robotaxis won't be available on highways. The spokesperson said those routes will be available to public riders later this year.How will Miami riders hail a Waymo?Riders can only request a robotaxi through the Waymo app.The company is not partnering with other ride-hailing companies for the initial Miami launch. In some service areas, like Austin or Atlanta, riders can hail a robotaxi through Uber.Waymo is outsourcing the management of its fleets, including charging and maintenance, to Moove, a Nigerian mobility fintech.Will Waymo be able to handle Miami's inclement weather?Waymo said in its press release that its AI driver will be able to handle conditions from sunny weather to "tropical downpours."A Waymo spokesperson said the company will operate the robotaxis only when conditions fall within its safety framework and will heed local guidance during unsafe weather, adding that the company has validated its AI driver across adverse conditions such as flooding, debris, and outages.Waymo has previously had to pause its service during flash flooding and large-scale power outages.In December, Waymo's robotaxis were seen stuck in the middle of intersections after a blackout in San Francisco that affected more than a third of the city's residents.The company said at the time that its remote operating center was overwhelmed with requests from its vehicles seeking additional confirmation on how to navigate downed traffic lights.What other robotaxis are available in Miami?Waymo will be the first fully autonomous ride-hailing service open to the public in Miami.Amazon's Zoox and Tesla Robotaxi have shared that they are targeting the Florida city for future deployments.Read the original article on Business Insider