Flights to Quisqueya, San Pedro de Macorís from NT$13,505

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you're well prepared. Follow these essential travel tips that will get your Quisqueya vacation started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The secret to having a worry-free travel experience is to be prepared. So, let's start with the basics: passport, boarding pass, cash and any vital medications. Next, bring items that'll help pass the time, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also a wise idea to bring your chargers, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earphones. Finally, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, deodorant and a clean T-shirt.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have sharp objects (like a pocket knife) lurking in one of the zippers of your hand luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable substances, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and liquids and gels in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your top priority is to feel as comfortable as you can. Pick slip-on footwear, dress in loose, natural fibers and don't forget to take a sweater in case you get chilly in the cabin.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To reduce your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression tights or socks and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

Being prepared before you arrive at the airport will help make your trip to Quisqueya a breeze. We've rounded up some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Keep your passport and travel documents close by. They'll be the first things you'll be asked for by airport security.
• Your belt, jacket, keys and other contents of your pockets, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• Electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go on a tray for inspection. Don't worry though, you'll be back online soon enough.
• Don't forget to remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you valuable minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp items can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked luggage.