Flights to Big Sur, from NT$16,135

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you've prepared well enough. We've put together a list of handy travel tips that will help get your Big Sur vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having an awesome flight experience is to pack in advance. So, let's start with the essentials: passport, official ID, credit cards and important medications. Next, take on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling book. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Last but not least, be sure to squeeze in toiletry items like a toothbrush, cleansing wipes and a spare change 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 one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, 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 you can. Choose easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a jacket in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

It's simple — be prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for an easy trip through airport security. Look out Big Sur, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as your turn draws near.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. 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 quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on baggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.