Flights to Cedars, Philadelphia from NT$8,852

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

• The secret to having an awesome flight experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you busy, like some electronic devices or a good book. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. Finally, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean set 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) hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, such as bleach and fuel, 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 a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and pick shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to take on and off.
• Caused by sustained periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

It's simple — be prepared. We've put together some helpful hints for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out Cedars, here you come:

• Have your boarding pass and passport someplace easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked to show at security.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your jacket, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets must also go through the scanner.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often 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 inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• It's also likely that you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp objects like a pocket knife or tools, pack them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.