Cheap Flights to Valley Cottage from HK$1,415

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

• First and foremost, put in your passport, travel docs, bank cards and daily medications. Next, you'll need some in-flight entertainment to help pass the time. A juicy book and a laptop filled with your favourite shows are some great options. If you plan to take a quick snooze, a neck pillow and some noise-cancelling headphones will also be useful. Finally, make room for a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes to ensure you arrive at your destination feeling fresh and ready to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• While the list of banned items can differ between air carriers, the general rule to follow is avoid carrying anything flammable, sharp or explosive. This includes things like tools, metal cutlery, spray paint and flares. Sports equipment like bows and arrows, and objects that could harm other people, such as pepper spray and guns, are also banned from the cabin.

What to wear on a flight:

• Go for comfort over style. Prepare for changes in cabin temperature by dressing in layers, and pick flat, enclosed footwear like slip-ons.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by prolonged periods of sitting. To reduce your risk on board, stay hydrated, consider wearing compression socks or tights and do gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We've compiled some helpful hints for a speedy trip through security. Watch out Valley Cottage, here you come:

• Security personnel first need to determine that you have a valid passport and travel documents before anything else. Keep them within easy reach.
• 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 such as your belt, coat and earphones will be required to go through the machine.
• All your electronic devices, including your tablet and phone, must also be scanned.
• Remove gels and liquids from your carry-on 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 in a single quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a possibility that you'll need to take your shoes off for scanning, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a clever idea.
• Pocket knives and other sharp items are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them safely away in your checked baggage.