December 2002 -- If you're looking for a true global odyssey, buy your ticket from a consolidator that specializes in round-the-world travel. They'll usually be able to beat the airlines' prices, and won't shackle you to the cities served by one global alliance. Two reliable round-the-world travel agencies are Airtreks (tel. 800/350-0612; www.airtreks.com) and Air Brokers International (tel. 800/883-3273; www.airbrokers.com), which offer hundreds of exciting round-the-world itineraries. You can also custom-design your own round-the-world route on their sites. Among their sample fares:
- $1,295: New York, London, Delhi, Bangkok, Hong Kong, New York (Airtreks)
- $1,795: Chicago, London, Athens, Bangkok, on your own over land to Singapore, Bali, Hong Kong, Chicago (Air Brokers)
- $1,895: San Francisco, Tahiti, Auckland, Sydney, Bali, Singapore, on your own to Bangkok, Hong Kong, San Francisco (Airtreks)
- $2,349: Los Angeles, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Cape Town, on your own to Johannesburg, Harare, Nairobi, Rome, on your own to London, Los Angeles (Air Brokers)
- $2,967: New York, Rome, Tel Aviv, Bombay, Bangkok, Rangoon, Sydney, Auckland, Tahiti, Los Angeles, New York (Airtreks)