Flights to Prullans, Catalonia from NT$18,487

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy hints for a hassle-free start to your vacation in Prullans. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a cruisy experience if you bring the right things. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as lip balm and hand cream, a clean set of clothes and a few magazines. Next, make room in your bag for your phone and charger, your medications and perhaps a quality neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, be sure to bring your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated by authorities. Sharp or pointed objects, like your pocket knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, spray paint and fireworks, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your main priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, enclosed shoes.
• Caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers on long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your feet and legs moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

The trick is to be organized before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Prullans in next to no time. Follow these helpful tips and get your vacation off to a flying start:

• Be sure to keep your boarding pass and ID within close reach. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like your headphones, will need 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 have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronics also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each product should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• It's also possible you'll be required to remove your shoes for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a good idea.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) are not allowed on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked baggage.