Flights to Venice, Bainbridge Island from NT$2,991

If you're not prepared, traveling can be a real challenge. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these useful tips and enjoy a hassle-free start to your getaway in Venice. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• Air travel can be a stress-free experience if you pack the right gear. First of all you'll need basic toiletry items, such as a toothbrush and lip balm, a clean set of clothes and a magazine or two. Next, find room in your carry-on bag for your electronic gadgets, chargers, your medications and perhaps a proper neck pillow as well. Last, but definitely not least, be sure to bring your passport, travel documents and some cash.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Pack all your full-sized bottles of shampoo and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any liquids or gels in your carry-on bag larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) will be confiscated. Sharp objects, like your treasured Swiss Army knife, and dangerous products which are flammable or explosive, such as aerosol cans, flares and poisons, are also restricted.

What to wear on a flight:

• The aisles of a plane aren't the place for a fashion parade. Dress in comfortable layers and go for shoes that are roomy, flat and easy to remove.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can pose a risk on long-haul flights. It results from blood clots forming due to inactivity and poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression tights or socks.

Being prepared before your flight will help make your getaway to Venice easy and painless. Read through our handy tips and tricks for a stress-free journey past security:

• Be sure to keep your ID and boarding pass close by. They're the first things you'll be asked to show at airport security.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your belt, coat, keys and other items in your pocket, like your earphones, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process faster by removing them before your turn arrives.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and tablet, must also be scanned separately.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one liter), clear zip-lock bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Boots are often required to be removed and separately scanned. Slip-on shoes usually aren't.
• Sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked luggage.