A Virtual Vacation??

My class was asked the question, "If you had to travel to a virtual world, where would it be and why?", by our professor.

Boy, that's a difficult question for me.

I'd not yet ventured into the realm of virtual realities at all before having this interesting class discussion, however, while I've not yet formed solid opinions on virtual worlds, I do have to admit that I am growing increasingly interested in their appeal and abilities to stimulate people to the extent that they apparently do.

But let me not make this question harder than it is.

Today in class we finished our discussion of virtual worlds talking about super power like abilities in virtual worlds, along with invisibility, comfort, relationships, freedom, and so on. This got me thinking.... maybe this virtual world thing wouldn't be so bad??

I don't know, but I can say if I had to visit a virtual world, I would want it to be social, all play and no work (I would have whatever career I wanted but wouldn't actually do work), and I would what to travel the virtual world meeting knew people and seeing new virtual locations.

As far as which of the existing virtual worlds would I prefer at this time, I just don't know. I am most interested in the ones that I can either create/ design myself or serve a therapeutic purpose. That said, I'm not sure if it exists or not, but a virtual world that I would love would make me feel like I was actually there (maybe I could wear one of those head/ eye goggles for 3D vision) and would be a definite paradise.... a get away and a vacation! There would be a beach, a nice bar, a personal plane... that sort of thing.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if I've got the right idea here. Are there virtual worlds where this is possible? I suppose I'm going to need to jump feet first into one of these communities and check it out. I just find it so hard to find purpose in building things, buying things or visiting things that only exist online for my avatar and don't actually effect my real physical life. On the other had, I understand there is a potential to actually earn revenue through commerce within virtual worlds and of course build relationships . Either way, it seems I've been way out of the loop on this subject!