Flights to Saintes, Tubize from NT$15,516

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to panic. Follow these helpful hints for a stress-free start to your getaway in Saintes. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, put in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling book and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are always good options. If you hope to take a short nap, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, make room for a few toiletry items so you'll arrive at your destination feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

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

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and pick shoes that are closed-toe, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

Being prepared before you get to the airport will help make your getaway to Saintes a piece of cake. Below are some handy hints for a swift journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• The X-ray machine comes next. Remove anything on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices must also go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked suitcase.