Flights to Hin Hao, Lom Kao from NT$2,574

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to panic. Follow these useful tips for a pleasant start to your time in Hin Hao. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a stress-free experience if you carry the right things. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a fresh change of clothes and a good read. Next, leave space in your hand luggage for your phone, tablet and chargers, any medications and maybe a quality neck pillow too. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to take your passport, travel papers and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp or pointed objects lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, and wear easy-to-remove shoes like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

Being organized before you arrive at the airport can make your getaway to Hin Hao a piece of cake. Below you'll find some handy hints for a stress-free journey past security:

• First things first. Your boarding pass and passport will need to be presented to airport security personnel. Keep them at hand to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product 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.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in the cabin. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.