Flights to Itaugua, Asuncion from NT$16,140

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your getaway in Itaugua. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, put in your passport, important documents, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are always good options. If you intend to catch up on some sleep, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some deodorant to ensure you arrive at your destination looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Caused by sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers on long-distance flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will make your getaway to Itaugua easy and painless. Here are some handy tips and tricks for a speedy journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Keep them close by.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy jackets or coats. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.