Flights to Tel Aviv, from NT$10,298

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be a real challenge. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy hints for a trouble-free start to your vacation in Tel Aviv. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Traveling on a plane can be a comfortable experience if you've got all the right gear. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as lip balm and hand cream, a clean pair of socks and a good read. Next, find room in your bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, medications and perhaps a blow-up neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to bring your passport, travel documents and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes box cutters, razor blades, aerosol cans and flares. Sporting equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could harm passengers, such as swords and batons, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by layering up, and pick flat, easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

The answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some handy tips and tricks for a stress-free trip through security. Look out Tel Aviv, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic devices will also need to go through the scanner.
• Traveling with a new perfume? As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-lock bag, it's fine to bring with you in your carry-on luggage.
• The right choice of footwear can save you a few precious minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.