Flights to Getaria, Basque Country from NT$14,387

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be tough. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a pain-free start to your vacation in Getaria. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack your passport, important documents, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A thrilling novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are good options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll arrive looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable 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 an airplane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and pick shoes that are flat and easy to pull on and off.
• The result of lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your lower limbs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

Being organized before you get to the airport will help make your trip to Getaria easy and painless. We've rounded up some useful tips and tricks for a speedy journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other small items, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or toothpaste, 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.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers usually aren't.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.