Flights to Ribeira Chã, Lagoa from NT$37,012

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you're well organized. We've made a list of handy tips that will get your Ribeira Chã escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, pack your passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, you'll need some extra in-flight entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a laptop crammed with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you hope to take a short nap, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also be useful. Finally, find room for a few toiletry items to ensure you arrive looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp objects (like a knife or scissors) lurking in one of the zippers of your carry-on luggage. Other restricted items include explosive or flammable goods, such as fuel and fireworks, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when deciding what to wear on your flight. Loose clothing is a wise option, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by lengthy periods of inactivity, can be a risk on long-haul flights. Try to walk around the cabin and stretch your legs or do some gentle exercises in your seat to promote better circulation.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport can make your getaway to Ribeira Chã quick and painless. Check out our handy hints for a swift journey through security:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that is likely to set the alarm off. Items like your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronics, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned separately.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. 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 inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• The right choice of footwear can save you several minutes. Hiking or heavy-style boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Take all prohibited items out of your carry-on bag. If you have any sharp or pointed objects, pack them safely away in your checked luggage. They won't be allowed in the cabin.