Flights to Milan, Pennsylvania from NT$41,572

If you're not prepared, air travel can be testing. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a stress-free start to your vacation in Milan. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a pain-free flight experience is to plan ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, boarding pass, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you occupied, like some electronic gadgets or a good read. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Last but not least, be sure to pop in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) hiding in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive substances, such as aerosol cans and bleach, and liquids and gels in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your number one priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a wise option, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks.

Being prepared before your flight can make your getaway to Milan easy and painless. Read through our top tips for a swift journey past security:

• Be sure to keep your travel documents and passport at hand. They'll be the first things you'll be asked to present to security.
• Next up is the X-ray machine. Remove anything metal on you that is likely to set off the scanner's alarm. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as bulky coats or jackets. They'll need to be placed on the conveyor belt for screening.
• Your electronic gadgets like phones and laptops will also have to go through the machine for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online in no time.
• Traveling with your favorite perfume or cologne? Not a problem. As long as the volume is no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and it's stored in a zip-close bag, you're permitted to bring it with you in your carry-on baggage.
• It's also possible you'll be required to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.