Flights to Gsteig, Canton of Bern from NT$6,323

If you're not prepared, air travel can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy hints for a trouble-free start to your vacation in Gsteig. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be a comfortable experience if you carry the right gear. Firstly, you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, make room in your hand luggage for your electronic gadgets, chargers, any daily medications and maybe a neck pillow too. Lastly, be sure to take your passport, travel docs and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable products, such as aerosol cans and bleach, 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 a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and go for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to take on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you reach security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Gsteig in next to no time. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings such as your jacket, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also need to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Any liquids or gels, such as hair oil or hand cream, that you want to take on board must be no greater 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 minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.