Flights to Iowa Colony, Rosharon from NT$16,570

Depending on where you're coming from, your flight to Iowa Colony could be a piece of cake or it could drag on forever. We've pulled together some tips that will help you start your next great adventure on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, put in your passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy book and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you intend to catch more than just forty winks, a neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a sharp object lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main priority is to be as comfortable as possible. Go for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and don't forget to bring a jacket in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To lessen your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and move your lower limbs often.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be well prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Iowa Colony in no time flat. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Airport security personnel first need to know that you have a valid ID and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your phone and tablet, are also required to be scanned separately.
• Remember to remove liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you a few precious minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Avoid taking prohibited items in your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, put them in your checked baggage. They won't be allowed on board and will be confiscated.