Flights to Otranto, Puglia from NT$52,603

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be testing. But there's no need to worry. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a pain-free start to your vacation in Otranto.What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome flight experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, travel documents, cash and important medications. Next, bring items that'll help while away those hours, like your laptop or a good book. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones. Finally, don't forget to toss in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The long, narrow aisles of a plane are not the place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfy clothing and bring a cardigan as it tends to get cool in the cabin during long-haul flights. Closed-toed, flat shoes are also a wise idea.
• Unfortunately, one risk of long flights is developing DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of inactivity. To avoid this, make the most of every opportunity to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs. Compression socks and tights are also a great idea to help minimize this risk.

The answer is simple — be organized. We've rounded up some tips and tricks for a hassle-free trip through airport security. Watch out Otranto, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them within easy reach.
• The X-ray machine is up next. Empty your pockets and remove anything metal that is likely to beep. This includes items like headphones or earphones, as well as your coat or jacket. They'll all need to go on the X-ray conveyor belt.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several precious minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• 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.