Flights to Santo Stefano dʼAveto, Liguria from NT$25,346

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to worry. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a pain-free start to your getaway in Santo Stefano dʼAveto. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling novel and a phone crammed with your favorite movies are some terrific options. If you plan to take a short nap, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes so you'll hop off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, such as bleach and fuel, 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. Layer up with comfortable clothing and choose shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Make a point of walking around the cabin or do some simple exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will help make your getaway to Santo Stefano dʼAveto a breeze. Below are some handy tips for a swift journey through security:

• Keep your passport and boarding pass close by. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Items such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronics must also go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as lip balm or cologne, that you want to bring on board need to be in containers no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on baggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.