Flights to Castries, St. Lucia from NT$34,906

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to Castries could be completely stress-free or it could drag on forever. We've put together some handy hints that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic gadgets or a few magazines. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, be sure to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, 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 aircraft are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and pick shoes that are flat and easy to pull on and off.
• The result of lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers during long flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Castries in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Can't travel without your favorite hand and nail cream? No problem. As long as the volume is no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, you can keep it with you on board.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several precious minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.