Flights to Bird Island, Minnesota from NT$10,181

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints for a worry-free start to your time in Bird Island. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, put in your passport, official ID, wallet and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you plan to catch a few z's, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive at your destination feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to feel as comfortable as possible. Pick easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to take a sweater in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will make your getaway to Bird Island a pleasure. We've compiled some handy tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Be sure to have your passport and travel documents easily accessible. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything that is likely to beep. This includes items like earphones or headphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, tablet and any other electronic devices must also go 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 product 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-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.