Flights to La Jagua del Pilar, La Guajira from NT$145,720

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you've prepared well enough. Follow these handy tips and tricks that will get your La Jagua del Pilar vacation started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. And of course, don't forget to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between airlines, the general rule of thumb is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like knives, scissors, spray paint and flares. Sports equipment like bows and arrows, and items that could harm other people, such as firearms and ammunition, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to feel as comfortable as possible. Go for flat, closed-toe shoes, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your feet and legs moving.

The secret is to be well organized before you arrive at security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to La Jagua del Pilar in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Keep your passport and boarding pass at hand. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, must also be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• There's a good chance you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, put them in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board.