Flights to Saint Jacques, Ayas from NT$17,185

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to Saint Jacques could be a breeze or it could drag on forever. Here are some useful travel tips that will help you start your next great escape on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack your passport, travel documents, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy book and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you intend to catch forty winks, a quality neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you'll touchdown feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of prohibited items can differ between air carriers, the general rule of thumb is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like screwdrivers, drills, fuel and fireworks. Sports equipment like hockey sticks, and items that could injure passengers, such as swords and batons, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim is to feel as comfortable as possible. Choose shoes that are easy to slip on and off, dress in loose, breathable clothing and don't forget to take a sweater in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Saint Jacques before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a fantastic start:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your belt, jacket and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several precious minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes are usually not.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked suitcase.