Flights to San Marcos, Forcarei from NT$2,272

Depending on where you're coming from, your trip to San Marcos could be a piece of cake or it could drag on forever. Below are some tips that will help you start your next great escape on the right foot. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• A plane ride can be easy if you've got all the right stuff. First things first, you'll need basic toiletries, such as a toothbrush and some deodorant, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Secondly, leave space in your bag for your mobile phone, a charger, any daily medications and maybe a quality neck pillow too. Lastly, and most importantly, remember to bring your passport, travel docs and some money.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items differs between airlines, the general rule of thumb is avoid carrying anything sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes things like box cutters, razor blades, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like golf clubs, and items that could injure passengers, such as pepper spray and firearms, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Wear layers and opt for shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to remove.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. Reduce the risks by drinking water, keeping your legs and feet moving and wearing compression socks to help improve your circulation.

A little pre-planning before you arrive at the airport can make your trip to San Marcos easy and painless. Below you'll find some useful tips for a stress-free journey through security:

• Security personnel first need to check that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Have them ready to show.
• After that, 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 such as your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, are also required to be separately scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board must be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a practical footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Airlines won't allow any sharp or pointed objects to come on board with you. If you must bring these kinds of items, pack them safely in your checked baggage.