Flights to Quinta da Ria, Vila Real Santo Antonio from NT$16,360

If you're not prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these tips and tricks and enjoy a pleasant start to your vacation in Quinta da Ria. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having a pain-free flight experience is to be prepared. Start with the essentials: passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring items that'll help keep you entertained, like your laptop or a thrilling book. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, don't forget to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won't be allowed on. Pointed or sharp objects, like your treasured pocket knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as spray paint, flares and strong acids, are also prohibited.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and opt for shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-haul flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

As seasoned travelers know, the secret is to be prepared before you get to the airport security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Quinta da Ria before you know it. Follow these helpful tips and get your trip off to a terrific start:

• Your boarding pass and travel ID will need to be inspected by security personnel. Keep them at hand so you don't have to dig around for them.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items such as your belt, jacket and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic devices will need to be sent through the scanner.
• Any liquids or gels, such as shampoo or hand cream, that you want to take on board need to be in containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several valuable minutes. Boots and heavy shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.