Flights to Velen, North Rhine-Westphalia from NT$51,238

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you've prepared well. We've put together a list of essential travel tips that will help get your Velen vacation started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a stress-free travel experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, bank cards and medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic devices or a magazine. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Finally, be sure to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes by donning layers, and opt for easy-to-remove footwear like slip-ons.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To lessen your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and keep your feet and legs moving.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will help make your getaway to Velen quick and painless. Check out our handy tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID within close reach. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• The X-ray machine is up next. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes things like headphones or earphones, as well as heavy coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked bags.