Flights to Santa Cruz, Davao from NT$2,355

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to Santa Cruz could be completely painless or it could drag on forever. We've compiled some useful tips that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a stress-free travel experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you busy, like your laptop or a thrilling book. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh set of clothes.

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 prohibited items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a wise option, as are flat, closed-toe shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport can make your getaway to Santa Cruz easy and painless. Check out our useful tips for a speedy journey past security:

• First things first. Your travel documents and passport will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, must also be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Knives and other sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.