Golden Parachute Around the World
How about having this view out your window for six weeks next spring?
Photo: Just France in Paris
Question from reader Keithrez:
"I recently lost my job and am going to take this opportunity to see and do all I have wanted. Do you have any advice regarding around-the-world business-class tickets and renting apartments for a period of time in other countries?"
Sounds like a great way to turn lemons into lemonade, Keithrez! I've recommended Airtreks for around-the-world tickets in the past, and they're great at business fares as well. Like this one: $4,620, including taxes, for Los Angeles, Taipei, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Colombo, Bangalore, Frankfurt, Rome, New York, Los Angeles. They'll either find a great deal for you based on the specials that are currently available, or you can tell them which cities you want to visit and they'll figure out how to get you there economically and efficiently. If you want to either use or earn frequent flier miles, take a look at the route maps of the airline you're most loyal to before you start planning your trip.
As for the apartment rentals...
Check out Wendy Perrin's Worldwide Guide to Affordable Villa Vacations. Most of the agents listed will be able to arrange long-term rentals. If you're looking specifically to spend time in European cities, Annie Flogaus of Just France has a Web site dedicated to Parisian apartments. Denise Corsile of Venice Rentals spends eights months of the year in that city. Suzanne Cohen of Suzanne B. Cohen & Associates has options in Florence and Siena, and Mary Vaira of El Sol Villas can set you up in Barcelona and Madrid.
There are also a number of apartment-swapping Web sites out there, if you're leaving your place at home empty, but I haven't tested any of them out. Does anyone else have advice when it comes to apartment/house swapping?
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Another option is to call an airline and ask for their "Around the World" desk. I didn't even know there was one until a few years ago. Northwest booked Milwaukee, Tokyo, Osaka, Amsterdam, Milwaukee business class tickets for me for about $4,500. Last year we booked through American for Chicago, Auckland, Tokyo, Johannesburg, Cape Town, Madrid, Chicago and the fare was about $8,400 for this longer itinerary. Service and flexibility were great. Go for it.
Posted by: NeilJaeh | November 29, 2007 at 10:37 AM