3pointD.com

Tony Walsh flags an interesting new service called Synthtravels, “The 1st online virutal travel agency.” It’s just what it sounds like, a service that offers guided tours of virtual worlds — rather than just show you some screenshots, you create a character in the world, and Synthtravel’s guides show you around. There are about 20 virtual worlds listed, from Second Life to World of Warcraft to something called ROSE Online, which I’d never heard of before but which seems to be a kind of anime EVE Online or Freelancer, if Freelancer were an MMO. You can also offer your services as a guide. No indication as to whether the tours cost money, but I’d assume they do. Cool service, and just in time to capitalize on the huge influx of visitors that will probably result from the huge outpouring of press from these places recently.