Flights to Caltabellotta, Sicily from NT$29,583

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've prepared well. Take a peek at these handy tips and tricks that will get your Caltabellotta vacation started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between airlines, the general guide to follow is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, drills, fuels and bleaching agents. Sporting equipment like bows and arrows, and items that could harm passengers, such as firearms and ammunition, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and choose shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to pull on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The answer is — be prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for a fuss-free trip through security. Look out Caltabellotta, here you come:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and passport someplace easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels 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 in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.