Cheap Flights to Gerardmer from HK$399

Wherever you're jetting in from, flying can be an enjoyable experience if you're prepared. Follow these essential travel tips that will help get your Gerardmer escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First, put in your passport, important documents, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some entertainment to while away the hours. A juicy novel and a laptop crammed with your favourite shows are good options. If you hope to take a short nap, a quality neck pillow and some earplugs will also come in handy. Finally, leave some space for a few toiletry items to ensure you step off the plane looking fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have a pocket knife hiding in your hand luggage. Other prohibited items include flammable or explosive products, like aerosols and matches, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to feel as comfortable as you can. Choose shoes that are easy to pull on and off, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to bring a sweater in case you get cold in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It results from 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.

The answer is simple — be prepared. We've put together some helpful hints for an easy trip through security. Watch out Gerardmer, here you come:

• Keep your ID and travel documents easily accessible. They're the first things you'll be asked to present to airport security.
• Next up, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To speed things up, remove anything that might set the alarms off. Personal belongings like your coat, belt and earphones need to go through the machine.
• All electronic devices, including your phone and laptop, will also need to be separately scanned.
• Remove liquids and gels from your carry-on luggage. They often need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each item should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Lightweight sneakers are a good footwear choice as you're less likely to have to remove them when passing through security. Safety boots and other bulky shoes are often subjected to additional screening.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp items or pocket knives in your carry-on luggage. If you must bring these kinds of items, put them in your checked luggage.