Flights to Alayor, Menorca from NT$15,342

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be tough. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy tips for a worry-free start to your getaway in Alayor. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free travel experience is to pack ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a wise option, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

The answer is simple — be organized. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for an easy trip through security. Watch out Alayor, here you come:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and passport someplace easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several precious minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.