Flights to Santa Fe, Central Visayas from NT$1,975

If you're not prepared, traveling can be daunting. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy tips for a pleasant start to your vacation in Santa Fe. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, pack in your passport, official ID, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone crammed with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you plan to take a quick snooze, a comfy neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Double-check that you don't have a sharp object hiding in one of the compartments of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include explosive or flammable substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of an aircraft aren't the place for a fashion parade. Don comfortable layers and choose shoes that are enclosed, flat and easy to remove.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clot condition that can affect passengers on long-haul flights. Lower your risks by drinking water, keeping your legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

The trick is to be well prepared before you get to security. That way, you'll be hopping onto that plane to Santa Fe in a flash. Follow these tips and get your vacation off to a great start:

• Your boarding pass and passport will need to be presented to security personnel. Have them easily accessible so you don't hold up the queue.
• Your jacket, belt, keys and other contents of your pockets, like your headphones, will be required to go through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• All electronic gadgets, including your tablet and phone, are also required to be scanned.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit inside a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Boots and heavier-style shoes are usually subjected to extra screening.
• Sharp or pointed items are not allowed on board. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.