Flights to Piedade, São Paulo State from NT$2,069

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a worry-free start to your time in Piedade. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Flying can be a pleasure if you've got all the right things. Firstly, you'll want some basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a spare change of clothes and a few magazines. Secondly, find a spot in your hand luggage for your phone and charger, any vital medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow as well. Lastly, and most importantly, don't forget to take your passport, travel docs and your credit cards.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between airlines, the general rule of thumb is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes box cutters, razor blades, fuel and fireworks. Sports equipment like ice skates, and objects that could harm passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to be as comfortable as you can. Opt for a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a pullover in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your getaway to Piedade a pleasure. Read through our handy hints for a stress-free journey past security:

• Keep your boarding pass and passport handy. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your jacket, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, 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.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• 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 in the cabin.