Flights to Boleto, Madonna del Sasso from NT$14,467

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a worry-free start to your getaway in Boleto. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great travel experience is to pack ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you occupied, like your laptop or a good read. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean T-shirt.

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 flammable or explosive products, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and pick shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to take on and off.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be organized before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Boleto in no time at all. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Want to bring along your favorite hand and nail cream? No problem. As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-close bag, it's OK to bring with you in your carry-on baggage.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives to come on board with you. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.