Flights to São Luís, Odemira from NT$15,327

If you're not prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a comfortable start to your vacation in São Luís. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, put in your passport, important documents, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A thrilling novel and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you intend to catch more than just forty winks, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll hop off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, such as bleach and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Go for slip-on footwear, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a potential risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your trip to São Luís a pleasure. Read through our handy tips for a stress-free journey past security:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to beep. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• All your electronics, including your tablet and phone, must also be separately scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.