Flights to Voerde, North Rhine-Westphalia from NT$19,580

If you're poorly prepared, traveling can be daunting. But there's no need to panic. Follow these handy tips and enjoy a hassle-free start to your vacation in Voerde. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First things first, pack in your passport, travel documents, cash and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A juicy book and a laptop filled with your favorite shows are some terrific options. If you hope to catch a few z's, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a few toiletry items to ensure you arrive at your destination looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of restricted items can differ between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes screwdrivers, drills, spray paint and flares. Sporting equipment like golf clubs, and objects that could harm other people, such as swords and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your priority when deciding what to wear during your flight. Loose clothing is a wise choice, as are enclosed shoes like sneakers.
• Most of us have heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To reduce your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and move your lower limbs often.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've rounded up some top tips for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Look out Voerde, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Keep them close by.
• Time to strip down. Well kind of. Your belt, jacket, keys and other items in your pocket, like coins, will need to go through the X-ray machine. Make your life easier by removing them as it gets closer to your turn.
• For just a few moments, you'll need to unplug from the digital world. Your phone, laptop and any other electronics will also need to go through the scanner.
• Don't forget to remove gels and liquids from your carry-on bag. They often need to be sent through the X-ray machine 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.
• Lightweight sneakers are a great footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when going through security. Boots and other heavy shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Sharp or pointed objects (like knives and scissors) can't be taken on board. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them in your checked suitcase.