Vaneeesa has asked the iRez authors to “share 6 of their favorite, must see, places in virtual space.”

This is the World of Warcraft version.

People travel for different reasons, so here are six locations that might appeal to a broad range of virtual tourists.

1. Spectacular Nature – Howling fjord
2. City Break – Dalaran
3. Leisure and Spa
4. Horror and Mystery
5. Humanitarian Aid Work
6. History Tour

They will be posted in a series of six parts.

City Break – Dalaran

• Recommended level: any
• Expansion Pack: Wrath of the Lich King

Cities and settlements are very important, not just to trading and resting, but also to virtual public life. They are like little subdivisions in the landscape where completely different activities take place compared to the rest of the world, and this is reflected in the design. People gather around in these places, show off their sparkly treasures they acquired when out fighting for greater causes, they idle, they hang out, they do business and socialize.

A city break can both include shopping and cultural experiences – Dalaran offers both.

Dalaran is a floating city suspended in mid air, located in Crystalsong Forest in Northrend. It was originally located in Alterac Mountains, where it was the center for the study of arcane magics and home to many wizards and mages, together forming the faction known as Kirin Tor. Within living memory their beautiful city was destroyed by evil forces during the Second War and they raised a magic dome protecting the city while it was rebuilt.

During original WoW, players were unable to visit Dalaran, as it appeared hidden behind an impenetrable pink dome. The second expansion to come (Wrath of the Lich King) featured the Kirin Tor having moved the city to hover above Crystalsong Forest, declaring itself a neutral city embracing both Horde and Alliance in cooperation to aid the fight in Northrend.

Everyone was now able to get inside what was previously locked away from the public and back in Alterac Mountains, you could then find the remaining deep crater from when the city was literally pulled up by its roots.

Like the capital cities of yore, population density can vary strongly and shift over time, and this city is a good example to have been through such as an ebb and flow phase. Dalaran was the absolute hotspot for players during the Wrath of the Lich King expansion. It has some historical value both lore-wise, as described, but also historically within the lifespan of WoW, as everyone was gathered here for years, until the big bad guy of that expansion, the Lich King, was defeated.

Dalaran is worthy of a visit because of this history, but also because of its beauty and various shops, such as the gnome toy store. Also worthy of a visit is Karandonna, a skilled clothier, who will sell you expensive but very high quality martial shirts and filigreed doublets, garments which you can’t find anywhere else but here.

Today the city is a lot more quiet than a few years back, but nonetheless you’ll still find people around. If you are interested in the absolute busiest of cities currently, you’ll find that they are not located on neutral ground such as Dalaran. If you belong to the Alliance, consider traveling to Stormwind. If you fight under the banner of the Horde, travel to Orgrimmar. This fact is a good indicator of how much conflict there is between the two factions, and right now the relationship between Horde and Alliance is more tense than ever.

Bonus explorer information: Underneath the city itself, the sewers are situated, the so called “Underbelly“. By following the pipes down, you can find the underground population of Dalaran, the slums that always pop up in larger cities, the shady dealers, the fight clubs and giant sewer rats.

• More info: http://www.wowpedia.org/Dalaran