Flights to Sharm El Sheikh, from

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be overwhelming. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips for a stress-free start to your vacation in Sharm El Sheikh. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, put in your passport, travel documents, wallet and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you plan to catch a few z's, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave space for a few toiletry items to ensure you hop off the plane looking fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Pointed or sharp objects, like a pocket knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as spray paint, flares and poisons, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and choose shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to pull on and off.
• It's likely you've heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To reduce your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and move your lower limbs often.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you get to security. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Sharm El Sheikh in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Have your boarding pass and passport at hand. They're the first items you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on 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 inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers usually aren't.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked baggage.