Flights to San Antonio, Guanacaste from NT$23,586

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasurable experience if you've planned ahead. Take a peek at these handy hints that will help get your San Antonio escape started on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First of all, pack your passport, official ID, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a tablet filled with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you plan to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you touchdown feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Leave all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hair gel in your checked luggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) won't be allowed on. Pointed or sharp objects, like your Swiss Army knife, and dangerous goods which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and strong acids, are also not allowed.

What to wear on a flight:

• Choose comfort over style. Prepare for temperature changes in the cabin by dressing in layers, and opt for slightly roomy, flat shoes like sneakers.
• The result of prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect some passengers during long-distance flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and ankles moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

The secret is to be prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be stepping onto that plane to San Antonio in the blink of an eye. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a terrific start:

• Airport security personnel first need to check that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them within easy reach, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other small items, like your headphones, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronic gadgets will also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine 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.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you several minutes. Boots and bulky shoes are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Lightweight sneakers are usually not.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp objects in your carry-on baggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.