Flights to Unna, North Rhine-Westphalia from NT$16,617

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a trouble-free start to your vacation in Unna. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an amazing travel experience is to plan ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help pass the time, like your laptop or a juicy novel. It's also smart to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Last but not least, be sure to pop in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your goal here is to feel as comfortable as possible. Choose easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a jacket in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• Most travelers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To reduce your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

Being organized before you get to the airport will make your getaway to Unna a breeze. Below are some top tips for a swift journey past security:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your coat, belt and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be scanned.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when going through security. Boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked suitcase. They won't be allowed on board.