Flights to Bourdeilles, Nouvelle-Aquitaine from NT$4,618

If you're not prepared, air travel can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Bourdeilles. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a hassle-free travel experience is to be prepared. First up, the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a thrilling novel. It's also wise to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a fresh change 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 one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your highest priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a smart option, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by extended periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Make a point of walking around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well organized before you get to security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Bourdeilles in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Have your boarding pass and passport easily accessible. They're the first items you'll be asked for by security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Personal belongings like your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked baggage.