Cheap Flights to Villandry from HK$6,833

No matter where you're coming from, flying can be a seamless experience if you prepare well enough. Follow these essential travel tips that will help get your Villandry escape started on the right note. What to pack in your hand luggage:

• It's simple — first, pack in your passport, travel docs, cash and vital medications. Next, you'll want some entertainment to while away the time. A juicy book and a phone crammed with your favourite movies are some great options. If you hope to catch more than just forty winks, a quality neck pillow and a pair of earplugs will also be useful. Finally, squeeze in a toothbrush and some cleansing wipes so you'll arrive feeling fresh and raring to go.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Put all your full-sized bottles of hair gel and hairspray in your checked baggage. Any gels or liquids in your carry-on suitcase larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) will be confiscated. Sharp or pointed objects, like your precious Swiss Army knife, and products which are explosive or flammable, such as aerosol cans, flares and fuels, are also banned.

What to wear on a flight:

• Your aim is to be as comfortable as you can. Opt for a pair of slip-on shoes, dress in loose, natural-fibre clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk on long-distance flights. It's the result of blood clotting due to poor circulation, so do some gentle foot and leg exercises in your seat and consider wearing compression socks or tights.

The secret is to be prepared before you arrive at the security gate. That way, you'll be boarding that plane to Villandry in no time at all. Follow these tips and get your trip off to a great start:

• First things first. Your travel ID and boarding pass will need to be shown to security personnel. Keep them someplace accessible to avoid fumbling around for them.
• Next up, both you and your hand luggage must be X-rayed. To make the process quick and painless, remove anything that might trigger the alarms. Items like your coat, belt and headphones need to go through the machine.
• For just a few minutes, you'll have to unplug from the digital world. Your laptop, phone and any other electronic devices also need to be sent through the scanner.
• Remove all gels and liquids from your hand luggage. They usually need to be sent through the X-ray separately. Each product should be in a container no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) and everything must fit in a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-lock bag.
• There's a chance you'll be required to remove your shoes to be X-rayed, so wearing slip-on shoes is always a wise idea.
• Airlines will not allow any sharp objects in your hand luggage. If you need to bring these kinds of items, pack them in your checked luggage.