Flights to Serifos, South Aegean from NT$3,704

If you're not prepared, air travel can be a real challenge. But don't hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints and enjoy a hassle-free start to your getaway in Serifos. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, put in your passport, official ID, cash and medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to while away the time. A juicy novel and a phone filled with your favorite movies are some fantastic options. If you plan to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and a pair of noise-canceling headphones will also be useful. Finally, make room for a few toiletry items to ensure you arrive feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Check carefully that you don't have a pocket knife hiding in the bottom of your carry-on luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive products, such as aerosol cans and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane are no place for a fashion parade. Layer up with comfortable clothing and pick shoes that are flat, roomy and easy to slip on and off.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle leg and foot exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

Being prepared before your flight can make your trip to Serifos a pleasure. Below you'll find some top tips for a stress-free journey past security:

• Airport security personnel first need to make sure that you have a valid ID and travel documents before you can proceed any further. Have them in your hand, ready for inspection.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• Your electronic devices like phones and laptops will also need to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online before you know it.
• Remember to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray machine separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Slip-on shoes are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Big boots and other heavy-style shoes are usually subjected to additional screening.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so put them in your checked baggage.