Flights to Medellín, Veracruz from NT$5,431

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you've prepared well enough. Follow these top travel tips that will help get your Medellín vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great flight experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a good book. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Last but not least, don't forget to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Squeeze all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated. Pointed or sharp objects, like your pocket knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as spray paint, flares and strong acids, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and opt for shoes that are flat and easy to take on and off.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression tights or socks and keep your feet and legs moving.

It's simple — be prepared. We've pulled together some useful tips for a stress-free trip through security. Look out Medellín, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and matching travel documents before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items like knives are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.