Cheap Flights to Florence from HK$4,078

If you're poorly prepared, air travel can be challenging. But there's no need to hit the panic button just yet. Follow these helpful hints for a pleasant start to your time in Florence. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• The trick to having an awesome travel experience is to pack ahead. First up, the essentials: passport, boarding pass, bank cards and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help while away those hours, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also a wise idea to pack your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs. And of course, don't forget to chuck in toiletry items like a toothbrush, lip balm and a fresh change of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general guide to follow is nothing sharp, flammable or explosive. This includes box cutters, razor blades, spray paint and fireworks. Sports equipment like hockey sticks, and items that could harm passengers, such as swords and guns, aren't allowed in the cabin either.

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when choosing what to wear on board. Loose, breathable clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, slip-on shoes.
• Caused by prolonged periods of inactivity, deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a blood clotting condition that can affect some passengers during long flights. Lower your risks by staying hydrated, keeping your ankles and legs moving and wearing compression tights or socks.

Being organised before your flight can make your trip to Florence a piece of cake. Read through our useful tips for a swift journey through security:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and matching boarding pass before you can proceed any further. Keep them within easy reach.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on bag will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings like your belt, coat and headphones will be required to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your tablet, phone and any other electronic gadgets must also be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all liquids and gels from your hand luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray scanner separately. Each item should be no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit inside a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a good chance you'll need to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on sneakers is always a good idea.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items are prohibited in the cabin. They'll be confiscated at security, so pack them safely away in your checked bags.