Travel update: Good news!

[judyserenity]

Tabouli wrote:
> Ha!  Just found a travel agent (a reputable one, even) who can sell 
> me the trip as laid out for $2900 on a four continent deal, and 
>(this is the good bit) the cost actually includes four one way 
> flights within Europe and *six* one way flights within the US! 

$2900?  Is it really that much?  I'm pretty conversant with intra-US, 
intra-Europe, US-Europe, and US-Asia fares, and that sounds high to 
me.  Adding Australia to the mix ups the cost, of course, but I still 
wouldn't think it was that high.  This fare gives you lots of intra-US 
and intra-Europe travel, but you might be able to get a lower fare if 
you didn't really need to fly that much intra-continent. 

There are tons of intra-Europe low cost airlines, that are not 
available through travel agents.  The US also has a few low cost 
airlines, although not as many.  There may or may not be one for your 
route. 

Don't forget to look at student travel places; they specialize in 
complex intineraries.  You may be eligible for discounts as an 
educator.  Here are some web sites to check:
www.statravel.com/ 
www.istc.org/ 
www.counciltravel.com/

About St. Louis:  I've never been there, but my impression is that 
it's pretty dull.  It's not where I'd spend my time, if I had only a 
small amount of time in the US.

For the 4th of July -- most cities have big fireworks displays.   
Sometimes, they are a few days before or after the 4th. New York often 
has a really good one.  

Judy