Flights to Artes, Catalonia from NT$1,958

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a trouble-free start to your time in Artes. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a worry-free travel experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, travel docs, credit cards and medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Finally, don't forget to squeeze 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 the bottom of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by layering up, and pick flat, enclosed footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Artes in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.