Flights to Stow, Massachusetts from NT$22,379

If you're poorly prepared, airports and flying can be a real challenge. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these handy hints for a pain-free start to your vacation in Stow. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's easy — first, put in your passport, travel docs, cash and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A thrilling novel and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some wonderful options. If you plan to take a short snooze, a quality neck pillow and some noise-canceling headphones will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some deodorant so you'll hop off the plane feeling fresh as a daisy.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a Swiss Army knife lurking in one of the compartments of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive substances, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your priority is to be as comfortable as you can. Opt for a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural fibers and remember to take a jacket in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clot condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To minimize your risk on board, drink lots of water, consider wearing compression socks and keep your feet and legs moving.

The answer is simple — be organized. We've put together some handy tips and tricks for a stress-free trip through airport security. Look out Stow, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to verify that you have a valid ID and matching boarding pass before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
• After that, both you and your hand luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Items like your belt, coat and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll need to unplug from technology. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets also need to go through the scanner.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one liter), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a clever footwear choice as you're less likely to be asked to remove them when going through security. Safety boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to extra screening.
• Knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.