Cheap Flights to Santa Maria la Carita from HK$3,591

Wherever you're coming from, flying can be a pleasant experience if you prepare well enough. We've made a list of handy tips and tricks that will get your Santa Maria la Carita holiday started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• First and foremost, put in your passport, travel docs, credit cards and daily medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy novel and a phone crammed with your favourite movies are always good options. If you hope to catch a few z's, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also be useful. Finally, leave some space for a toothbrush and some facial wipes to ensure you step 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 sharp object lurking in your carry-on luggage. Other prohibited items include explosive or flammable substances, such as bleach and fuel, and gels and liquids in containers with a volume of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Comfort should be your top priority when deciding what to wear on board. Loose clothing is a sensible choice, as are flat, slightly roomy shoes.
• Most travellers are aware of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of sitting. To lower your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks and move your lower limbs often.

It's all about being organised. We've put together some tips and tricks for a hassle-free trip through security. Watch out Santa Maria la Carita, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid ID and boarding pass before you're allowed to proceed any further. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• After that, both you and your carry-on luggage will be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, take off anything that might trigger the alarms. Personal belongings such as your belt, jacket and headphones need to go through the machine.
• All your electronic gadgets, including your laptop and phone, must also be scanned.
• Any gels or liquids, such as shampoo or hairspray, that you want to take on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). Also, they all must fit inside a quart-size (one litre), zip-lock bag.
• There's a possibility that you'll be required to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing lightweight sneakers is always a wise idea.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors can't be taken on board. They'll be seized at security, so put them in your checked luggage.