Flights to El Valle de Anton, Coclé from NT$6,983

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you're prepared. We've compiled a list of handy hints that will get your El Valle de Anton vacation started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, put in your passport, travel documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you hope to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a few toiletry items to ensure you touchdown feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive 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:

• Comfort should be your main concern when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you arrive at airport security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to El Valle de Anton before you know it. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items such as your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Want to bring along your favorite hand cream? As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-close bag, you're allowed to bring it with you in your carry-on baggage.
• There's a possibility that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your hand luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.