I can't remember the name but it was a great geography teaching tool. It was a sort of scavenger hunt. A world map of cities and what they are most known for. You could fly from one point to another to find the objects you have been assigned to collect. The least amount of travel miles wins. But this was not played online, just a game download. It was a "90"s game. Any help?

One of the Carmen Sandiego games ?

Reminds me a bit of the Danish game "Globetrotter", though I doubt it's that.

Georunner, perhaps?

In Carmen Sandiego you had to catch bad guys following clues about the next location. I think I vaguely remember a game like the OP mentioned but I can't remember its name.

Reminds me of the Backpacker series, but I don't remember any scavenger hunt in those games.

Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego ?

BushBuck Charms, Viking Ships & Dodo Eggs?