Flights to Driehuis, North Holland from NT$6,218

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be challenging. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks for a pain-free start to your getaway in Driehuis. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an amazing flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a juicy novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a pocket knife hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans 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:

• The aisles of an airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and pick shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We've pulled together some top tips for a stress-free trip through security. Watch out Driehuis, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before anything else. Have them ready to show.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Can't travel without your favorite perfume or cologne? As long as it's in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a clear zip-lock bag, it's OK to bring with you on board.
• There's a good chance you'll need to take your shoes off to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked bags.