Flights to Clearwater, Stites from NT$28,392

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a stress-free start to your getaway in Clearwater. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a great travel experience is to pack ahead. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, official ID, bank cards and vital medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic devices or a good read. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to chuck in toiletries like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, 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:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when choosing what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a smart choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you get to airport security. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to Clearwater in a flash. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a fantastic start:

• Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be shown to airport security. Keep them someplace accessible so you don't hold up the line.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your jacket, belt and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronics must also be sent through the scanner.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to bring 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), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when passing through security. Big boots and heavier-style shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any pocket knives or other sharp items in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked luggage.