I didn't think of using the landmarks from afar to help the player's navigation, either, until I tried out the 2d map.
I still like the 3d globe idea better and plan to continue on the 3d globe to make a more leisure (without time rush) travel game with more in-depth narrative and photography assignments. I'm even putting in some real-world astronomical data/algorithms so the player can follow the path of the lunar and solar eclipse around the globe on specific real-world dates. :D