Flights to La Florida, Nariño from NT$49,700

Depending on where you're coming from, your journey to La Florida could be a breeze or it could go on forever. We've rounded up some handy hints that will help you start your next great escape on a positive note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free travel experience is to plan ahead. So, let's start with the basics: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and important medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. It's also wise to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of headphones. Finally, be sure to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, facial wipes and a fresh set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have sharp or pointed objects lurking in your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, 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. Dress in comfortable layers and choose shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to pull on and off.
• Most travelers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your legs and feet often.

The trick is to be well organized before you get to the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to La Florida in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a spectacular start:

• First things first. Your passport and boarding pass will need to be shown to airport security personnel. Keep them within easy reach so you don't have to dig around for them.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go through the machine to be scanned. Don't worry though, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner 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 separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Sharp items like knives are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.