Cheap Flights to Rome from CA $270

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

• The trick to having a stress-free flight experience is to pack in advance. First up, the essentials: passport, official ID, cash and daily medications. Next, bring on board items that'll help keep you entertained, like some electronic gadgets or a magazine. It's also smart to bring your chargers, a comfy neck pillow and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones. And of course, be sure to squeeze in toiletries like a toothbrush, lip balm and a spare set of clothes.

Do not pack the following items in your hand luggage:

• Make sure you don't have sharp or pointed objects lurking in the bottom of your hand luggage. Other banned items include flammable or explosive goods, like aerosols and matches, and liquids and gels in containers with a capacity of more than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres).

What to wear on a flight:

• Your main aim is to feel as comfortable as possible. Go for easy-to-remove footwear, dress in loose, breathable clothing and don't forget to take a pullover in case it gets chilly in the cabin.
• You've probably heard about deep vein thrombosis (DVT), a blood clotting condition caused by long periods of inactivity. To minimize your risk on board, drink plenty of water, consider wearing compression socks or tights and keep your feet and legs moving.

The simple answer is — be prepared. We've put together some useful tips for a fuss-free trip through airport security. Look out Rome, here you come:

• Airport security personnel first need to see that you have a valid passport and boarding pass before anything else. Have them close by, ready for inspection.
• Time to strip down. Well sort of. Your jacket, belt, keys and other small items, like coins, will need to go on a tray through the X-ray machine. Make the whole process easier by removing them before your turn arrives.
• Your electronic devices like laptops and phones will also have to go on a tray to be scanned. Don't worry, you'll be back online in no time.
• Any gels or liquids, such as perfume or hand cream, that you want to bring on board must be no greater than 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres). They must also all fit inside a quart-size (one litre), clear zip-close bag.
• Choosing your footwear wisely can save you valuable minutes. Hiking boots are often required to be removed and X-rayed separately. Slip-on sneakers are usually not.
• Sharp items such as knives and scissors are not allowed in the cabin. They'll be seized at security, so pack them in your checked bags.