Flights to Independencia, Guaira Department from NT$16,549

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a seamless experience if you prepare well enough. We've made a list of handy hints that will help get your Independencia vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, put in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and vital medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy book and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you hope to take a quick snooze, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll step off the plane feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Go for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, breathable clothing and remember to bring a jacket in case it gets cold in the cabin.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

A little pre-planning before you get to the airport will help make your getaway to Independencia quick and painless. We've rounded up some useful tips and tricks for a swift journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to establish that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them ready for inspection.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes things like earphones or headphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic devices will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked bags.