Flights to Edenkoben, Rhineland-Palatinate from NT$13,868

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

• Flying can be a great experience if you take the right things. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as deodorant and a toothbrush, a spare change of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, leave space in your carry-on bag for your phone, tablet and chargers, your medications and perhaps a cozy neck pillow as well. Lastly, don't forget to bring your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between airlines, the general guide to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes tools, metal cutlery, aerosol cans and flares. Sporting equipment like hockey sticks, 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:

• You'll want to go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by dressing in layers, and wear flat, closed-toe shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The trick is to be well prepared before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Edenkoben in a flash. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• Security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container 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 practical footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.