Flights to Bordeaux, Olympia from NT$5,800

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you're well organized. Take a peek at these essential travel tips that will help get your Bordeaux vacation started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane trip can be a great experience if you take the right gear. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a spare set of clothes and a magazine or two. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your laptop, a charger, medications and perhaps a blow-up neck pillow as well. Lastly, remember to take your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

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 zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and go for shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression socks or tights.

The secret is to be well organized before you reach airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Bordeaux before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be inspected by airport security. Keep them handy so you don't hold up the queue.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like earphones or headphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be scanned.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked bags.