Astoria is a Homestead region held by Eromara Vita and Dots (Dotties Stoop). For December 2024, and unsurprisingly, the region is dressed for the winter season and decorated with touches in keeping with the time of year. The easiest way to summarise the region is via its Destination Guide description:
Astoria is a Dutch winter destination perfect for snow lovers. Glide along ice skating paths, explore hidden caves, or take a scenic walk with loved ones. Enjoy dancing on the spacious dance floor or relax in cosy cuddle spots. Ride the ski lift to the mountaintop ski bar and descend on skis, snowboard, or sled for an exhilarating experience.
– Astoria Destination Guide description
In terms of design, the region is split into five islands (although the channel between two is so small, it’s easy to think of them as a single finger of land running long the north edge of the region). The waters between and around the island are frozen, thus forming the skating paths, the ice reaching out to touch the off-region surround of snowy mountains.
It is on the eastern end of one of those islands that the Landing Point resides, complete with a couple of jolly (if slightly argumentative!) carollers waiting to greet incoming visitors. Reindeer are fenced in here, possibly awaiting Santa’s arrival as the snow falls, and their time hitched to his sleigh. Going on the red-and-white logoed tractor-trailer inching its way over the ice, complete with red-suited guide, they may not have to long to wait before he arrives!
A hump-backed bridge spans the ice here to reach the largest of the islands. This forms the setting’s highest (indeed, only) summit: a tall hill with a steep but climbable gradient crowned by a coffee bar with outdoor seating and, at the time of my visit, vehicle which looked at if Batman might be out trying to remember where he left it – although as rezzing is open and Auto Return is off, I’m not sure if it was made to be part of the setting or left by a visitor who used it as a prop (but it is unlocked).
If you don’t fancy the climb up the hill, a walk around the coast to the south-western extent will bring you to the chair lift for an easy ride up to the coffee bar. Sleds and snowboards can be obtained from rezzers at the top of the chair lift for an easy ride down.
It is to the south-east of the main island that visitors will find the dance floor mentioned in the description above, sitting on its own snowy island across the ice. And speaking of ice, those wishing to skate appear of have three choices: pop on their own blades and set out on the ice freestyle, or keep and eye out for the skating balls along the edge of the Landing Point island. The latter take two forms: couples and singles. As I was on my own during my visit, I cannot speak to the doubles skating balls, but the single follows a scripted path around the island in a manner that reveals everything whilst leaving you with hands free for dramatic photos, if you so chose!
If you opt to remain on the northern islands for exploration, you can follow them as they point west, a little covered bridge neatly linking them. After this an avenue of tree with boughs bent as if to try to protect you from the falling snow will lead you onto the a further bridge and the larger of the two islands on the eastern extent of the region. From here is it just a short hop to the tall island with its hill – or if you prefer, you can remain where you are and escape up into a cosy tree house.
The final – and smallest – of the islands is something of a wildlife reserve; a magical place where not only do penguins and polar bears meet – but they seem just fine in roaming and skating around together 🙂 .
Through all of this are many places to sit and relax, together with opportunities for photos and fun – not all the sit points are to be found on chairs or benches! And make sure you check out the entrances to the caves – they sit on opposite sides of the large island and should be hard to miss – a visit is not complete without a trip through one of them!
Astoria is a pleasant and engaging place to visit, so be sure to pop over and take a look.
SLurl Details
- Astoria (Porto Leone, rated Moderate)
Inara Pey: Living in a Modemworld 