Flights to Cuba, Illinois from NT$25,367

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to Cuba could be completely stress-free or it could go on forever. Below are some handy tips that will help you start your next great escape on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a stress-free experience if you've got all the right stuff. First things first, you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare pair of socks and a good novel. Next, find room in your carry-on bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, any medications and perhaps a neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to bring your passport, travel docs and your bank cards.

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 zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable products, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by dressing in layers, and pick flat, enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• The result of lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

Being organized before your flight will make your trip to Cuba a piece of cake. Below you'll find some useful tips for a swift journey past security:

• Airport security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.