Flights to Cul de Sac, Sint Maarten from NT$13,358

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to worry. Follow these handy hints for a worry-free start to your getaway in Cul de Sac. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack your passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling book and a tablet filled with your favorite movies are good options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a few toiletry items so you'll hop off the plane looking and feeling fresh.

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 zippers of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to feel as comfortable as you can. Opt for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• The result of prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Reduce the risks by staying hydrated, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks to help your circulation.

A little pre-planning before your flight can make your getaway to Cul de Sac a piece of cake. We've compiled some handy hints for a stress-free journey past security:

• Be sure to have your boarding pass and passport handy. They're the first items you'll be asked for by security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• Your electronic gadgets like laptops and phones will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume 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.
• There's a chance you'll be asked to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a wise 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.