Flights to Baoshan, Hsinchu County from NT$2,550

If you're not prepared, traveling can be overwhelming. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a comfortable start to your vacation in Baoshan. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an amazing travel experience is to pack ahead. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, cash and vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Last but not least, don't forget to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp or pointed objects hiding in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive goods, such as fuel and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an airplane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Layer your clothing and opt for shoes that are flat, enclosed and easy to remove.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lessen your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your legs and feet often.

The secret is to be well organized before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Baoshan in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a flying start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and passport easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product 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.
• It's also possible you'll be required to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed on board.