| With a population of just over six million inhabitants | | | | admission is free to the public on Sundays. If the |
| occupying 37 municipalities, Santiago de Chile is a | | | | prospect of museum-going doesn't appeal to you, take |
| sprawling urban metropolis. It is also one of Latin | | | | a stroll in Parque Forestal, one of the largest and most |
| America's most up-and-coming travel hotspots. | | | | popular parks in the city, with one edge bordering the |
| Chileans themselves remark upon the extreme | | | | museum. |
| increase of tourists in the past ten years; but they're | | | | One of Santiago's loveliest and safest comunas is |
| simply observing, not complaining. | | | | Providencia, just east of Santiago Centro. Though |
| 2010 will undoubtedly be one of the best years to visit | | | | more residential than Centro, it still offers plenty to the |
| Chile, as the country is celebrating its bicentennial. Two | | | | eager traveler. Here you'll find many Spanish language |
| hundred years have passed since Chile gained its | | | | schools in Chile, one of the most popular being ECELA |
| independence from Spain on September 18, 1810, and | | | | Founded a decade ago the school has blossomed into |
| Chileans are ready to celebrate, especially in Santiago. | | | | five locations throughout Chile, Peru and Argentina, with |
| The thought of trying to catch all of the highlights in a | | | | Santiago being one of its most frequented destinations. |
| city of 37 districts can indeed be daunting. Luckily, most | | | | It is located on a quiet, shady street (Roman Diaz 297) |
| of Santiago's best neighborhoods are centrally located, | | | | and offers group and private classes daily from 9am |
| close to one another, and easily accessed by public | | | | to 6pm. The school also coordinates a wealth of social |
| transport. | | | | and cultural activities, including a free city tour every |
| We'll begin in Santiago Centro, the heart of Santiago. | | | | Monday for its new students. |
| Here the true hustle and bustle of the city can be seen | | | | Once you've decided to learn some Spanish, your next |
| at all hours of the day. Begin with a hike up Cerro | | | | stop could be La Chascona (Antonia López de Bello |
| Santa Lucia (Metro Line 1 to Santa Lucia), the site | | | | 71), one of the homes of the late Chilean poet and |
| where the Spaniard Pedro de Valdivia founded | | | | Nobel Prize winner, Pablo Neruda. Located within |
| Santiago in 1541. The summit offers up breathtaking | | | | Providencia in Barrio Bellavista, this intriguing |
| views of the city etched out against the massive | | | | house-turned-museum is full of remarkable objects |
| Andes - a site surely not to be missed. | | | | from all around the world, collected by and given to the |
| After you've taken in the beauty of Santa Lucia, come | | | | author. Tours are frequently available in English and |
| back down and have lunch in Barrio Lastárria, part of | | | | Spanish. Some of Neruda's works are on sale in the |
| Santiago Centro. Make a right down Merced at the | | | | gift shop, and you're sure to find them in every |
| foot of Santa Lucia, then another right onto José | | | | bookstore in Chile, so get to practicing your new |
| Victorino Lastárria, and you have arrived. This artsy | | | | Spanish skills with the touchingly romantic yet striking |
| and hip neighborhood has many moderately priced | | | | discourse of this Chilean icon. |
| cafes and restaurants as well as independent shops | | | | Unknown as it may be to much of the world, Santiago |
| and galleries, making it the perfect spot to grab lunch | | | | is a city perfect for all, from the curious adventurer to |
| and while away an hour or two. | | | | a well-refined art buff. Whether you stay for one |
| Located extremely near to Barrio Lastárria is the | | | | week or one year, its neighborhoods will continue to |
| Museo de Bellas Artes, which houses the works of | | | | surprise you with gorgeous details and hidden |
| many Chilean and other Latin American artists. There | | | | treasures just around every corner. |
| are often several visiting exhibitions at a time, and | | | | |