Flights to Mata, Southern Province from NT$13,300

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to Mata could be completely painless or it could go on forever. We've pulled together some useful tips that will help you start your unforgettable escape on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a great flight experience is to be prepared. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic devices or a juicy novel. You'll also want to pack your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. And of course, be sure to toss in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a Swiss Army knife hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a wise choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation and inactivity, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport will make your getaway to Mata a piece of cake. Read through our handy hints for a swift journey through security:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid ID and travel documents before anything else. Have them ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic devices, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also likely that you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a smart idea.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.