Flights to Ponte Buggianese, Tuscany from NT$9,567

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be daunting. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a pain-free start to your time in Ponte Buggianese. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a laptop filled with your favorite movies are some great options. If you plan to catch forty winks, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a few toiletry items to ensure you arrive at your destination looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a pocket knife lurking in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include flammable or explosive goods, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• You'll want to choose comfort over style. Prepare for changes in temperature by dressing in layers, and opt for flat, closed-toe footwear like slip-ons.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to wander around the cabin or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

The trick is to be well prepared before you arrive at the airport security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Ponte Buggianese in no time at all. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching travel documents before anything else. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag must be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that is likely to trigger the alarm. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from technology. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as perfume or hairspray, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.