Flights to Noord-Scharwoude, North Holland from NT$4,576

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a stress-free start to your vacation in Noord-Scharwoude.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Firstly, and most importantly, pack in your passport, official ID, bank cards and medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy book and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are always good options. If you plan to take a short snooze, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by security. Sharp objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and dangerous products which are explosive or flammable, such as flares, bleaching agents and matches, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of your airplane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer yourself up with comfortable clothes and take a sweater as the temperature can drop in the cabin. Enclosed, flat shoes are also a good idea.
• The condition known as DVT (deep vein thrombosis) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clotting due to poor circulation. Doing regular leg and foot exercises in your seat is a great way to prevent this from happening. Wearing a good-quality pair of compression socks or tights also helps reduce your risk.

As savvy travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you reach the airport security gate. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Noord-Scharwoude in a flash. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and travel documents before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them within easy reach.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as your turn draws near.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic gadgets will also need to go through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to bring 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.
• There's a possibility that you'll be asked to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a clever idea.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.