You could not possibly have missed it, unless you live under a virtual rock with bad Wi-Fi. Costa Di Luce, the newest Second Life Endowment for the Arts (SLEA) region, has been everywhere. Linden Lab newsletter? Check. Your social media feeds? Check. Probably even slipped into your dreams uninvited, carrying a loaf of bread and humming an accordion tune.
Costa Di Luce, by landscaper power duo Kaiden and Pandora Tray, was announced with such fanfare that, naturally, I had no choice but to go see it for myself. I mean, if a region gets this much buzz, I must be seen there!
Welcome to Tuscany, Second Life Edition
And oh, it’s gorgeous. A Tuscan-inspired paradise that practically smells of fresh basil and sun-warmed stone. Rolling hills, terracotta rooftops, tiny cobbled streets… every corner is so Italian that I half expected to see Sophia Loren walking past with a basket of lemons.
The streets were alive, or so I thought…. Stylish residents lounged on benches, chatted on café terraces, and stood on cobblestones taking pics, like they’d been doing it for centuries.
Then I sat next to a handsome man who could have been the face of an Italian cologne ad. I said hello. He didn’t reply. I tried again. Still nothing.
Only then did I realise…The crowd is made of mesh props. Which, honestly, explained a lot. No avatar could maintain that perfect hair in Second Life windlight. The mysterious, silent man was not real either, but somehow still more charming than most of my exes.
From Bruised Ego to Bellissimo Views
Anyway, once I recovered from my bruised social ego, I wandered around and enjoyed it immensely. The detail is stunning. Every corner is dripping with atmosphere, ivy climbing up walls, light spilling just right across the piazza.
Your Tuscan Getaway Without the Airfare
If you’ve ever wanted to visit Tuscany without the cost, jet lag, or the risk of accidentally ordering a cappuccino after 11 AM, Costa Di Luce is the perfect place. Just remember: not everyone you see there is going to answer when you say ciao.
About SLEA
If you’re new to SLEA, it’s a multi-region initiative that supports artists of all kinds in Second Life with free land grants and resources to bring their creative visions to life. Learn more about the program, apply for a grant, or join their active art community by visiting sleagrants.com.
