Some of you have been around the world, and most haven't. Surely, you'll be thinking about these prospects the rest of your life. You can begin by planning your possible itinerary.
I fly United, so, of course use the Star Alliance program. There are 1,329 destinations in 194 countries and 28 airlines. The package includes up to 16 flights, and the cost depends on whether you exceed 26,000 miles, 29K, 34K or 39K. As a rough rule of thumb, economy costs from $5,000 to $6,000, business class from $10,000 to $12,000 and first class from $19,000 to $22. An infant is charged 10%, while a child 2-11 pays 75%. You can stop to catch a cruise and continue at an airport located in the right direction with the penalty of one leg. Save for the first flight, you can change the date of your departure at any time. However, if you want to adjust the itinerary, the penalty can be severe.
Ultimately, I flew a little more than 35,000 miles at a cost about one-third of what individual fares would have been. The longest leg of 7408 miles was San Francisco to Sydney. Thai Air and Lufthansa first class were the best, with United the worst. On international flights, try to avoid United First, for they don't serve caviar, Dom Perignon and Johnny Walker Blue Label. 
I was able to fly both the Airbus 380 (largest plane) and new Boeing 747-8, sometimes now called 748. Frankly, I found them disappointing, as my expectations were high, and they seemed no different from older aircraft. It was fortunate that I had avoided the Boeing Dreamliner, for these only have two classes, business and economy.
There are other around the world packages such as OneWorld Explorer and Skyteam, and travel agencies that can help you. So, if you're interested and fly United, click on Star Alliance Book and Fly to begin to put together Your Ultimate Global Adventure.Some final thoughts in random order as they come to mind:
1. In China, for immigration/customs, avoid standing behind anyone that looks Muslim, for there is obvious discrimination. However, on the way out with your baggage, stand reasonably close and behind them, for they invariably will be the ones to have their baggage re-X-rayed, minimizing you being selected.
2. Don't go to Australia on Easter weekend, as just about everything is closed.
3. You can't predict the blossoming of cherry trees in Japan two months ahead of time.
4. There is always a potential crisis involving South Korea.
5. If you go to China, don't breathe.
6. Good luck walking around Frankfurt with a map, as the streets change names from block to block, and when officially re-named, it takes forever for tourist maps to show the adjustment.
7. The St. Regis hotel in DC is very mediocre.
8. You can't predict whether Denver will be 85 F or snowing two weeks ahead of time in April.
9. There are nearly 27,000 wineries in France and 9,000 in the USA, with more than 3,700 in California. Italy has one million winemakers, whatever that means. In 1970 there only 441 (U.S.) and 240 (California). Shiraz and Sauvignon Blanc are showing increasing signs of acceptance in California.
10. The three best airports in the world are #1 Singapore, #2 Incheon (South Korea) and #3 Schiphol (Amsterdam). The highest ranked American airport is.....tada....Cincinnati at #30.
So was this my final trip, ever? Well, no. I was asked by a couple of people to make a presentation about this experience and consider leading a group of friends on an Ultimate Global Adventure, probably this coming Fall or Spring of 2014. Stay tuned for developments.
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The first named storm near the U.S. is Alvin, now at 45 MPH south of Mexico:
Alvin is not expected to reach hurricane strength.
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