Flights to Ebi, Shinshiro from NT$4,699

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you've planned ahead. We've put together a list of handy hints that will help get your Ebi vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great travel experience is to pack in advance. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, credit cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic devices or a thrilling book. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, be sure to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive goods, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by layering up, and wear flat, slightly roomy shoes like sneakers.
• Most travelers have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To lower your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression tights or socks and keep your legs and feet moving.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Ebi before you know it. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• Your travel documents and passport will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't have to dig around for them.
• After that, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings such as your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, will also need to be scanned separately.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a sensible footwear choice as you're less likely to be required to remove them when passing through security. Hiking boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.