Flights to Barrancabermeja, Santander from NT$16,249

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a hassle-free start to your vacation in Barrancabermeja.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be easy if you carry the right stuff. First of all you'll need basic toiletries, such as lip balm and hand cream, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, any daily medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, remember to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like a pocket knife, and products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosols and matches, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should always be your number one priority when picking what to wear on board. Consider your footwear with care too, as swollen feet are a common side effect of flying. Shoes which are flat and slightly roomy are always a sensible way to go.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. There's plenty you can do to mitigate your risk. Don a pair of compression socks, drink lots of water and keep your legs and feet moving. Walk around the cabin when possible or perform some simple exercises in your seat.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Barrancabermeja in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Be sure to have your travel documents and ID close by. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Boots and heavier-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.