Flights to Neba, Nagano Prefecture from NT$4,215

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be testing. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a pleasant start to your vacation in Neba. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an awesome travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Last but not least, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes box cutters, razor blades, fuels and bleaching agents. Sports equipment like baseball bats, and items that could harm passengers, such as guns and swords, can't come on board with you either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim is to be as comfortable as you can. Choose a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural-fiber clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

It's easy — be prepared. We've pulled together some handy tips and tricks for a speedy trip through airport security. Look out Neba, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several valuable minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked luggage.