Flights to Tamale, Northern Region from NT$85,435

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips for a stress-free start to your time in Tamale. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free flight experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and any vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of headphones. And of course, don't forget to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to feel as comfortable as possible. Go for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and don't forget to bring a jacket in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It results from blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

The secret is to be well organized before you get to security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Tamale in the blink of an eye. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be inspected by airport security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Your jacket, belt, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container 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 practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.