Flights to Rezekne, Latvia from NT$32,894

If you're not prepared, air travel can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Rezekne. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack your passport, official ID, bank cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling book and a phone filled with your favorite shows are good options. If you hope to take a short snooze, a neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, find room for a toothbrush and some deodorant to ensure you touchdown looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object lurking in your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a wise choice, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Rezekne in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Be sure to keep your passport and boarding pass within close reach. They're the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go on a tray to be scanned. No need to worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Any liquids or gels, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.